The experiences of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States have been influenced by a variety of social, cultural, and economic factors. Sociological viewpoint theories provide us with a lens through which to view these experiences and the challenges that immigrants face. The experiences of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the US can be examined using three theories: Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Structural Functionalism. Examining the documentary “9500 Liberty Street” will allow us to see how these theories relate to actual situations while also better understanding the complex and dynamic nature of social interactions and relationships.
According to the conflict theory, society is made up of rival factions that are constantly at odds with one another. Conflicts with other ethnic groups, as well as those with governmental institutions or laws that are thought to be unfair or discriminating, may arise in the case of immigrants who speak Spanish. Many instances of confrontation between various groups are shown in the documentary “9500 Liberty Street,” such as the tense discussions and demonstrations over a proposed law mandating police to examine the immigration status of anybody they stop for a traffic infraction (Park and Byler, 2009). The focus of symbolic interactionism theory is on how language, communication, and symbols shape social interactions and relationships. In the documentary, we witness how linguistic differences can lead to miscommunications and conflicts between various groups. For instance, when a Spanish-speaking immigrant is stopped by the police and is unsure of what is happening, it may cause dread and mistrust.
The emphasis of structural functionalism is on how various facets of society interact to sustain social stability and order. In the case of immigrants who speak Spanish, this can include the relevance of education and job training programs in assisting immigrants to integrate into society as well as the function of family and community networks in giving support and resources. The documentary demonstrates how locals banded together to oppose the proposed law.
Overall, we can better comprehend the social, cultural, and economic forces that influence the lives of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the US by applying sociological viewpoint theories to their experiences. We can observe how these theories apply to actual events by dissecting particular sequences from the documentary “9500 Liberty Street,” which will help us better understand the intricate and dynamic nature of social interactions and relationships.
Reference
Park, A. and Byler, E. (2009). 9500 Liberty [Documentary]. USA.