This is a presentation prepared for my students to use as a guide to make them learn how to write a simple paper with a PPP working with the analysis of the lyrics of a song based on an especif topic: immigration.

1. ILLEGAL ALIEN
by GENESIS
Mexican Illegal Immigration to the
United States of America
ANALISIS OF THE LYRICS

2.  LYRICS BACKGROUND:
Immigration has held a major
role in shaping the United States of
America.
Immigrants have always come to America looking
for a better life but Americans are always
forgetting their forefathers were one looking for
that same life (pilgrim’s fathers).

3.  Beginning 20th century:
Businessmen wanted immigrants
because they considered them
cheap labor.
Worlds War II: Americans looked abroad for
workers to support a wartime economy.
Program Bracero: Mexican workers allowed to
work on American farms and
railroads.

4.  1964: End Bracero program.
Immigrants continued arriving in
America without papers.
Undocumented migration began: migrants
worked temporarily under the threat of
deportation.
American-Mexican border: primary control to
regulate flow of immigrants.

5.  1983: Heavy flow of Mexicans
to the States due to economic crisis
in Mexico.
Illegal immigrants: pool of exploitable labor.
They worked long hours, hard, and cheap.
The States: it developed an economy of low
prices of everyday goods because of
undocumented workers (illegal immigrants).

6.  American people wanted to stop
illegal immigration: they believed
immigrants competed for jobs and
depressed wages and job standards.
Labor Unions and liberal politicians attacked
illegal immigration. Opposition came from
employers groups: they relied on illegal
Immigrants to continue working at low cost.
Result: no action was taken to impose
penalties against employers who hired

7.  Song: Illegal Alien by Genesis
(Phil Collins).
Cheerful, humorous look at the
frustrations an illegal Mexican immigrant faces
when he tries to illegally enter the United States.
Even though the lyrics are satirical, some
listeners
perceive it to be racially offensive.

8.  Name of the song: Illegal Alien
 Alien: ‘very different in nature
or character, esp. so different as to
cause dislike or opposition.’ (Longman
dictionary). Negative connotation –
dehumanizing aspect.
Video imagery: Mexicans stereotypically
portrayed: drinkers, sleeping late as lazy people,
playing Mariachi music, wearing a toupee or
huge sombreros or serapes.

9.  First stanza:
GOT OUT OF BED, WASN’T FEELING TOO GOOD
WITH MY WALLET AND MY PASSPORT, A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
THE SUN IS SHINING SO I HEAD FOR THE PARK,
WITH A BOTTLE OF TEQUILA, AND A NEW PACK OF
CIGARETTES.
We have a Mexican Phil Collins
getting up late with a bad hangover.
He obviously does not have a job.
He immediately heads to the bar with
a bottle of Tequila, appearing like a
drunker.

10.  Chorus:
IT’S NO FUN BEING AN ILLEGAL ALIEN, NO
IT’S NO FUN BEING AN ILLEGAL ALIEN
Illegal immigrants DO NOT have
fun trying to enter the States. They expose
themselves to serious dangers. Police can
intercept and deport them; big organizations
can traffic them for exploitation. Women
expose themselves to be raped and
be kept at houses of prostitution.

11.  Other stanza:
OVER THE BORDER, THER LIES THE PROMISED LAND
WHERE EVERYTHING COMES EASY, YOU JUST HOLD OUT YOUR
HAND
Immigrants emigrate in search of a
higher standard of life, dreaming in
fulfilling their American Dream. When they
arrive the face: maltreatment, exploitation,
harassment, exclusion, intolerance,
and indifference.

12.  Other Stanza:
KEEP YOUR SUSPICIONS, I’VE SEEN THAT LOOK BEFORE
BUT I AIN’T DONE NOTHING WRONG NOW, IS THAT SUCH A
SURPRISE
Even if he has done nothing wrong,
people look at him with suspicion.
(negative attitudes towards immigrants). Phil
Collins sings ‘ain’t done nothing wrong NOW’,
Does it mean he is going to do
anything wrong?

13.  CONCLUSION:
What’s next? Difference defines
our world. Race, gender, and
sexuality are everywhere.
Ideal world: difference should not matter. We
must confront difference. People often use the
idea of being different to oppress and exploit
others. It is a labyrinth in which we must get lost
if we are to ever find our way to
understanding.