Imagine what the world would be like if a particular race or ethnic group disappeared.
That is the premise of Sergio Arau's movie "A Day Without a Mexican," which will be shown tonight at 7 p.m. in Rose Theatre.
"Not that something like that could happen," said Jane Henrici, an assistant professor in the anthropology department.
"I haven't seen the film but I understand that it focuses on Latinos and Latin Americans who are underpaid workers," she said. "However, that does not include all Hispanics and/or underpaid workers of other race or ethnicities."
Hispanics are not only manual laborers, as portrayed in the movie, but they are professional and white-collar workers as well. The fact that Hispanics have an excellent work ethic, are reliable and are willing to work for lower pay has played a major role in perpetuating misconceptions that many people have.
"That all Hispanics are migrant workers is a common misconception," said Nancy Magallanes, a Spanish instructor in the foreign language department.
"Many people are under the impression that all Hispanics are here illegally," she said. "That is not true."
Many Hispanics from Latin countries and Mexico are legal residents of the United States, Magallanes said.
With a population of 41.3 million people, Hispanics are now considered the largest race of ethnic minority in the United States, according to the United Stated Census Bureau.
Almost half of the total population of Hispanics lives in either California, where the film is based, or Texas.
"The economic impact that the Hispanic disappearances would have would be felt across the economy," said Rose Rubin, a professor in the economic department.
"Not only would the impact be felt economically, but the political ramifications would change as well," she said, referring to how the political views of people would change drastically due to the loss of the 7.6 million Hispanic voters.
The Hispanic Student Association will host the viewing of Arau's movie as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
