Literary analysis of Over there on the other side by Vasquez

This story is a simple retelling of events. The story explains how in the past the writers parents could very easily cross the border between Mexico and the United States. In the 1960’s, his parents could drive to Texas for a simple Saturday night date and ice cream without being hassled by the border agents. He explains that there barely were border agents at all back then. The story continues with Vasquez explaining his personal journey across the border, and about how much different it was than his parent’s experience. The story is also one of great personal loss, the loss of his father. The story also explains the hardships of living close to the border and the effect that living in Mexico has on some people. He explains how some people in Mexico are driven to illegally cross the border in search for ransom money for their families that are held captive by cartels in Mexico. He explains how 72 migrants were massacred in northern Mexico and how many of them were unidentifiable. He tells the story of one in specific who like his parents crossed the border illegally in search for better life.