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			MAID IN AMERICA

Tell us what you think about MAID IN AMERICA.

Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly and join the discussion.

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Lalit & Sree
Austin,TX

Q - Do you think itÌs worth the sacrifice these women make in search of their American dreams? Why or why not? Comments - Nothing is worth leaving your children behind or living without one's family.But they may have not a choice ! Choices are for people with plenty.The good thing is that they have strong knit families and need not worry abt the well being of the kids Q - Do you think these organizations can meet their goals in a society that views Latino immigrant laborers in a negative light? Comments - Yes of course.There has to be a start.It may be a slow process but if we do not even try there is no chance.over a period of time the activities of these orgs will spread awareness among people. Thanks.The movie was wonderful.Very touching.

I was extremely excited when I saw this episode. I feel that it is important to depict the every day lives of undocumented latino workers, as hard working individuals who come to the U.S. looking for a better way of life. Also, I am very interested in learning more about Dynamic Workers LLC as well as CHIRLA. If someone could provide me with some information or a contact number I would appreciate it.

Becky
Woodburn, OR

I have recently moved to Woodburn, Oregon which has a majority of Latino citizens as well as Russians. Being a Caucasion family it has taken some time for my children to adjust to being the minority in school. I found myself not being as understanding and compassionate for the Latino community as I had been in the past, but since watching the program aired this evening 'Maid in America', I have a completely different outlook on how hard it is for these Women and how dedicated many of them are to making a better life for their children and families. I am a mother of 5, we live on one income and at times I feel envious of those who may seem to have it better than we do. It was a real eye opener to see the statistics and hardships that so many people around me, probably several of my neighbors, go through just to give there families a chance at a life that I take for granted. It was a very moving episode and should be a requirement for students and parents alike. I definately have a different perspective of life and Latinos after seeing this short film. Thanks for airing it PBS! You have made a huge impact on my life as well as the lives of those around me!

NY, NY

Thank you for featuring this film. It showed the sacrifice immigrant women go through to live here and immense contribution they give to our communities and lives.

beaverton, oregon

I totally agreed with the first question, the antiimigrants and media has focus on putting down the image of the immigrants who are in this country to have a better life. Most of the time these women need to do the sacrafice of leaving their families behind because they do not have other options to survive poverty. I think these types of documentary help otheres see the true about these people and help them understang why they are here and how valuable they are. I think this type of programs give a positive view of the immigrants.

B. J. FinleyBranch
Portland, OR

I found your show "Maid in America" to be one of the most telling stories about the plight of domestic Latina workers shown here in America. I was really moved by the contents. Even though I am not of Latino decent,(I am African American) I was proud to see how the women interviewed have struggled to make a better life for themselves and their families. I thought the establishment of an organization for Latina Maid's in the Los Angeles area was ingenious. So many Americans choose to believe that immigrants who come to this country only want a "hand-out" you and I both know this is not the case. Keep up the good work, and if it's possible to keep us posted on the progress of the women interviewed please do so.

Mirna Ruiz
Lodi, California

A society that views Latino immigrant laborers in a negative light, needs to turn the light on and see this film. I found it to be an amazing insight into the lives of three woman that represent the masses of immigrants who brave the border & other surmountable obstacles to provide for a better future. We as a civilized society have to look past politics and recognize human plight. My prayers are with Judiths family as she and her family along with thousands in the entire region devastated by hurricane Stan & Wilma.

Fernando Adame
Lancaster, tx

The film touch me very deeply, the truth speaks for itself. Lots of people from Mexico and Centro America come to the US to work and send money back home to make a better life for those loved ones they left behind. I want thank you for making this film about these latinas and their struggles and dreams. God bless your soul.

R. Pando
El Paso,TX

I really enjoyed watching this show, even though i or anyone that i personally know have been though this-I felt for these women especially the ones that left there families behind. i cried as i watched it. i wished that i could help the ladies, I was so proud of the lady who learned english to better herself and worked as an accountant for a short time. and i was also happy that these women have somewhere to go to be protected, i also enjoyed the play about the maid who had been treated badly.it makes me want to be a better person.

Vanessa Cruz
Broken Arrow, OK

No, I don't agree with the majority of the media's depiction of Latin American immigration. My grandfather and his family were migrant farm workers. ( A couple of years ago Peter Jennnings hosted a program regarding illegal aliens that stressed without the illegal alien work effort, the Winter Olympics in Utah would not have been possible.) Yes, sacrifice is necessery to get out of poverty. Yes, the Latina domestica organizations can overcome negative media coverage and bias.

Elijah Tyre
Atlantic City, New Jersey

I thank everyone who was involved in bringing this film to life. Very moving. Very humbling. Very revealing. It has stirred up many emotions within me. Thank you so much for putting faces on some of the "undocumented" working people who make so many sacrifices, so many contributions. I wish these strong, dignified women every success in their endeavors to provide for their families while providing vital services to their employers and the U.S./World economies.

Wichita area, Ks.

I did not see this one but am watching "maid in America",thank you for showing this this point of veiw, too many Americans dont realise that people work hard for very little pay or respect. The lack of compassion not just for ilegal immigrants, but the poor in general is rampant. I am thankful that we have freedom of speech so that you are able to show how things are and in doing, helping people see there is a brotherhood of man. We all need to eat, we all see the same sun and stars. We are the world and there is only one people,it is all of us. "God bless us every one" .

Zahra Massoud
Houston, TX

Every face on the street has a human story behind it. Tonight, as I watched this pbs film a chill of this realization courseed through me and the faces of the women depicted here would not leave my mind. This film is so touching and needs to be aired a few more times to reach more people. Recently I have been trying to hire a nanny and talking to women from Mexico etc. Watching this film was like letting me take a peek at their lives and families which I would not have had a chance to ever ever understand. I would have just considered the nanny as another employee...but now...I will see her as a strong, hardworking and committed lady ...with a compelling story...of love,sacrifice, family and dreams...which I will want to find out and to be a part of...not just as an employer of a nanny, but as a part of their lives and try my best to help them to realize their American dream..which they deserve!! I am first generation immigrant and as we move up in life in America we often forget what we had to go through as new immigrants...we should always remember how hard it is and try to help as much as we possibly can. I will try to do the same thing.

Roberto Jose J. Erinna
Somerville, MA

Hi my name is Roberto Jose J. Erinna I'm from Panama (born and raised) I currently live in Somerville, MA and I happen to be in the hospital one day in Boston and I was reading a article in Latina magazine about film producers in the cultura section of Latina magazine and my heart goes out to Anayansi Prado for standing up and letting it be known how had Latinos work hard for a living on little pay for the not so proud jobs today in America. Also for the fact that there are not to many Panamanians in America that have the courage and strength like Anayansi to produce a film "Maid in America". Viva La Panama

horacio moreno
houston, tx

Wow! Just watched the documentary, to sum it up I'm extremely impressed. Nice job Mrs. Prado. As a docujunky I'd say one of the primary objectives especially in independent ones is to truly reach out and emotionally move your audience. Even though my opinion is biased being that I'm first generation Mexican American , you would still agree with me in saying that this film has not only has reach a point of personal awareness but has hit close to home in my case. This film has smacked close to my heart and has reminded me of how well off I truly am now that my parents have done their part of the deal if you know what I mean (a stepping stone as the film suggest). I would suggest showing this film to anybody who is currently going through hardships and otherwise unmotivated depressed first generation Mexican Americans (hence everybody currently living in the US, yes we are all next generation fill in the blank Americans who may or may not be taking Prozac). It took time to make this film so I agree with Mrs. Prado motto and will quote her on that one for sure "Patience is also a form of action". Continue to amuse and dismay us and you'll soon be another Almodovar but even his stuff is getting old so go above and beyond that and take home el Oscar. Hats off to the rest of the Impacto Films Production crew, that handle the little yet large things that make the story have the icing on the cake.

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