Lesson Five: Farmingville
A rural, hard working, middle class community with abundant low level nursery and landscaping jobs experiences rapid growth in its illegal immigrant population. Although this story might sound familiar, the setting for these events is hundreds of miles to the east in Farmingville, New York. This lesson will afford you the opportunity to see how this Long Island community responded to the tensions that arose as its population of illegal immigrants increased exponentially. The documentary portrays the perspectives of local residents, employers, church groups, elected officials, advocates, and opponents of illegal immigrants. The viewer is left to decide which group offers the most plausible solution to problems facing this community. Students will compare and contrast Farmingville and Lake County, identify the causes of oppression that exist in both communities, and develop solutions to the resulting conflicts.
Farmingville
Complete the viewing guide below while watching Farmingville.
For additional information about the documentary shown in class, visit http://www.pbs.org/pov/farmingville/
For additional information about the documentary shown in class, visit http://www.pbs.org/pov/farmingville/
Immigration Rally in Painesville
The tension between supporters and opponents of illegal immigrants that you witnessed in the Farmingville documentary is a common experience in Lake County as well. In 2010, a group of PSL students produced the video below highlighting opposing viewpoints from the annual May Day Rally on the square in Painesville.