After the Cuban revolution started in 1959, thousands of families began immigrating to different countries. They did not care so much about the country they were going to live in, all they care about was escaping from that revolution and its consequences. One perfect example of this is the book The Red Umbrella written by Christina Diaz Gonzalez. It is a true story that took place in Cuba in 1961when more than 14,000 children had to come to the United States to escape Castro’s regime in a program known as Operation Pedro Pan.
The main characters of the story are Lucia and Frankie, a brother and a sister that went to a lot of harsh situations. Lucia was a 14 years old girl that all she was thinking about was parties, fashion, and on her first crush. One day when the revolution hit home, freedom was stripped away and a lot of people began to disappear. Schools closed, and teenagers were sent to teach others how to read. Finally Lucia’s parents made the decision that would change their life forever, and sent Lucia and her brother to the United States alone, thinking that one day they will return home. When they arrived to Miami they were taken to a relocation camp, until Mr. and Mrs. Baxter, a family from Grand Isle, adopted them. After a couple of years living with the wonderful family, Lucia and Frankie would finally see their parents again.
This amazing book has an incredible meaning for those who have gone through similar situations and have left their loved ones behind. I really liked this book because it shows reality, what happened and is still happening nowadays. I will definitely recommend this book to my friends and anyone who wants to learn more about the immigration problems around the world. It teaches us the true meaning of home that it does not matter where we go, as long as we are with the people we really love.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Considering the close proximity of Cuba to the United States, it indicates that there has always been migration between United States and Cuba. During the 1800’s, immigration had become very popular amongst Cuba and the United States. In the 1800’s Cuban merchants and businessmen generally conducted business, and casually visited United States on vacations, and vice-versa. But all that changed when Fidel Castro took over Cuba in 1959, hence, having a significant rise in immigration from Cuba to the United States. Over the years thousands of Cubans fleeing Cuba on makeshift boats has become a routine to the United States. But the most important of the Cuban migration has happened in the past 40 to 50 years. Since then there were 4 major migration movements that distinguish this particular migration movement from others.…
- 946 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In conclusion, teenagers today shouldn't read this book because it has a confusing story line, poor transitions between stories, its characters are consubstantial and its portrayal of the immigrant experience being somewhat…
- 527 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
It tells the story of three young people in the Bronx, starting with the mid-80s drug explosion to welfare reform in the late 90s. Jessica was the girlfriend of a notorious, 20 year old drug kingpin prior to his life sentence and her 10 year sentence for conspiracy. Jessica’s brother, Cesar, tightly-wound and loyal, was imprisoned as a teenager. Coco, generous and bubbly, started dating Cesar when she was 14. By the time she was 20, she had 4 children with 3 fathers. Coco and her lifestyle is what I found most interesting. This is normal amongst young teenage girls growing up in an low income area, she was pretty much born into poverty and didn’t think that this was immoral to have…
- 335 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
From its use of symbolism to the life lesson. Jeannette Walls told her story in a unique way and it made me feel different emotion. After reading about what Jeannette and her siblings had to go through, made me think about my life. Personally, it made me grateful for having a family that provides me a shelter and treats me well. Of course, we all have ups and downs, but it just so hard to believe what she went through. And how she manages to stay strong and positive, when others can easily give up. I highly recommend this book to everyone, as if it can change your perspective on…
- 504 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The narrator of The White Umbrella is ashamed of her mom because she works. Throughout the story, she begins to have a different perspective of her mom.…
- 333 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Their family always was pleased and in check with the bills for the first few months when they moved to a new house. Two places where they stayed the longest was Phoenix and Blue Mountain. In both areas Dad found good paying job as miner or electrician in a mine and for the first few months all the family’s needs were full filled according to the writer. However, when dad lost his job, things around the house would go back into chaos and left mom no choice but to teach and this made life better with their needs met again. During these days everyone was happy and the children received presents regularly like a new bicycle. These events were when the most smiles and happiness in kids was shone off. Finally towards the end of the book everyone moved to New York City and from beginning to end in their stay everyone was joyful. However their dad did die and Maureen moved to California after stabbing her mother but order was still there. Jeanette went to an Ivy League college and after graduating she became a journalist which was what she always wanted to be since high school. The author made this time seem very cheerful except when they talked about her parents in the streets. Towards the end the thanksgiving dinner brought the family all together witch it brought forth a conclusion worth reading. The Glass Castle states on the last paragraph “We raised our glasses. I could almost hear Dad chuckling at Mom's comment in the way he always did when he was truly enjoying something.” This showed at the end of all the pain and suffering there was true peace for their family at…
- 1042 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
People no longer move to the country to make a living, instead they move to a large city, however a lot of things have not, immigrants still get swindled by untrustworthy people, they still live in inferior conditions, and they still get discriminated against daily because of where they are from. To me this shows that we don’t learn from our mistakes and instead we repeat cycles because we aren’t taught any differently. If this book was written today it could easily have been read as a story about the problems immigrants…
- 488 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
She got enough money by babysitting and jobs that she was able to go to college out there and was able to start her own life. Once all the kids got old enough to move and go to New York they made their way out of Welch and up to where Lori was living. When arriving the kids were still needing some guidance so Lori helped them grow up and be a parent to them. Sooner than later, Rex and Rose Mary made there way to New York in a van that had many issues on the way there. Just after a little while in New York the two end up homeless. Although the kids attempt to help their parents they were not able to do anything for them. Therefore, the couple becomes a squatter in abandoned houses and apartments until Rex dies of having a heart attack. By the end of the memoir, Jeannette has been married twice and is living the life she has always dreamed of. Although growing up might of been hard, it made her realize how much she helped her family and how much responsibility she took on helping to raise her younger siblings. This memoir explained a lot about how growing up on your own and how much of a big responsibility it is. These kids practically raised themselves together and set goals for themselves to get through everything. It makes people realize how you have to be thankful for what you have and appreciate your family and not take anything…
- 658 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
describes for us the long journey to a new home. I thought this book was great because it allowed…
- 468 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez is a novel based on the experiences of her parents as they tried to escape Fidel Castro’s regime. Lucia Alvarez, the main character describes each event, from the moment the Operation Pedro Pan started, until she lives in the United States; she has to go though a lot of things such as watching the hanging of a man at a park, her best friend turning into a revolutionary and her family being betrayed by her uncle. As the book goes on, besides seeing all of Cuba’s changes we are also present in Lucia and Frankie’s most difficult times.…
- 717 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Cuban American culture was strongly influenced by the Cuban revolution. Most say that the revolution began in 1956 when Fidel Castro led a group of rebels and landed a ship in the south of Cuba. There they met heavy resistance and almost all were killed. A dozen survivors including Castro and his brother Raul retreated to the mountains. There they started…
- 1660 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
The main characters, Ruth and Lucille, are sisters who experience a lot of loss in their lives. Before they were even born, their grandfather dies while working on the railroad that connects the town of Fingerbone, Idaho to the rest of the country. When they are little, their mother takes them to visit their grandmother, who still…
- 1496 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
It is one of the best book for all the migrating people who moves from one country to another for better future and has to face many struggles in their lives. I remember when my grandmother arrived for first time in the year 2015 for the purpose of my cousin sister Uravi’s grand wedding on August 2, 2015. I thought to add a new scene at the end when Khadija named that her Dadiji (Grandmother) was coming to visit Canada soon. Our whole family has settled in Canada except my parents. Therefore the purpose of my Dadiji visit to Canada was to make sure that all are living happily and got settled nicely or not. Her visit to Canada was completely “A new life” as she was unaware of all the rules and regulation in new country Canada. There will be a respectful people more than our back home country. She will get new experience that how I and my uncle aunt got settled here facing many problems in the beginning. Same as, Dadiji will also be experiencing how Khadija, Hamza, Amigee and Abugee passes through until now. It was the support of Dadiji to adapt the change which her family experienced. How Dadiji will feel in Canada, is additive change of the story. She will like the visit to Canada or not? There will be great change found to her because the country where she lived and the country she is visiting will be vast different in terms of culture and belief…
- 1399 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Parents like Maria and Carlos’s sent their children away to save them from the corruption of communism. Parents in Cuba did not fear for the child’s life, more the mind of their children. They feared communism would brainwash, and turn the children against their parents.…
- 87 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Plot: This story is about Bella, a married black woman, who goes to New York leaving her homeland, Jamaica. While there in the States Bella goes through a drastic change after being exposed to the Western culture. Her dramatic alteration tortures her husband, Joseph, psychologically.…
- 341 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays