Summer reading sparks talk on immigration, race

The freshmen who entered Murphey 204 on Monday were bursting with enthusiasm to discuss the summer reading book, Paul Cuadros’ “A Home on the Field.”

They brought annotated, dog-eared copies of books, lists of questions and strong opinions on the book’s topic of immigration. And lucky for them, Cuadros was in the room.

This year, for the first time, the summer reading book committee chose a work written by a UNC professor. The book looks at immigration issues in a small town in North Carolina where a large influx of Latino immigrants has caused tension among residents.

The book profiles Cuadros’ three years coaching “Los Jets,” the varsity soccer team at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City, which won the state championship in the final year chronicled in the book.

Cuadros, an award-winning reporter who has focused on issues of race and poverty, is currently a freelance reporter for Time magazine and a UNC journalism professor.

In addition to leading a discussion Monday, Cuadros delivered a lecture in Memorial Hall on immigration. Former members of his soccer team were also present and shared their experiences.

In his three years living in Siler City and his time as a reporter, Cuadros saw firsthand the impact of illegal immigration.

“It is a fact that the current immigration system is broken. It exploits people and dispossesses them,” he said. “The situation is so polarized we cannot arrive at conclusions. Thousands of kids are suffering under the weight of the stalemate. They are caught in a limbo for which they are blameless.”

Cuadros said it is difficult to prescribe a solution to immigration issues, as things are often more complicated than people would like to believe.

“I’m no Dumbledore, but I can see the question facing our country. We need to decide between what is right and what is easy,” Cuadros said.

Cuadros said he hopes more students will be allowed to reach their full potential, as his players were.

“The boys in ‘A Home on the Field’ face terrible obstacles in their lives. They dream of participating in our society. When you give these kids a level playing field and let them rise to their full potential, they become champions,” he said.

He said he was impressed by a comment made by a student in his discussion group, who suggested that his generation take ownership of immigration issues. Cuadros said this will prove essential if the United States is to succeed.

“What I’m really asking you to consider is to choose between fear and hope. It’s easy to choose fear, but I believe it’s much harder to choose hope.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.