Fig 1. Debut Album by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. RCA Records, 1986.
A Song of Social Inequality in Cisneros' Story
“The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby & The Range is the song I used to represent Sandra Cisneros’ short story “Geraldo No Last Name.” Both the song and the story deal with themes of social inequality and how the system disregards people within communities based on race or nationality. Hornsby’s lyrics, “Well, they passed a law in 64 to give to those who ain't got a little more,” references the Civil Rights Act and highlight the constant inequity that continues to affect society. Geraldo’s death in the story reflects how these injustices still affect undocumented immigrants. The line, “That’s just the way it is, some things will never change,” shows how people have to live with the injustices, which mirrors how Marin views Geraldo’s death in the story. In the hospital, Geraldo is met with death, as no one rushes to save him. Geraldo’s lack of papers and being an undocumented worker meant that he was treated differently, left to die without urgency or contact other than the amount given by Marin. This shows how people like Geraldo are often ignored by society, just like the song talks about how unfair treatment continues, even after laws are made to stop it. Both the song and the story also show how these injustices affect those left behind. In the story, Geraldo’s family will never know what really happened to him, they can only wonder and move on. The song’s lyrics reflect this same sense of helplessness in the face of unfairness. The song and the story together point out how society lets these kinds of tragedies happen over and over again, keeping the cycle going.
The Price of Hope and Dreams
My MVP is Geraldo’s sacrifices and loss in the short story “Geraldo No Last Name.” Geraldo’s story is shortened to a few lines. Still, the reason I picked this as my MVP is because it symbolizes how undocumented immigrants risk their lives for a better future in a place they don’t fully understand. The line, “His name was Geraldo. And his home is in another country,” highlights his obscurity and how easily his story can be dismissed. His journey north was full of courage and hope, even though it ended in tragedy. This moment is valuable because it reminds us of the risks of immigration and the sacrifices people make for the possibility of a better life.
Invisibility in Society
Geraldo’s story also symbolizes the invisibility of undocumented immigrants in society. Despite his sacrifices and dreams, Geraldo is reduced to a nameless person in death, someone no one will remember outside his family and possibly Marin. This invisibility reflects how systems often fail to recognize the humanity of individuals like Geraldo, who may not be American citizens but are still human. Marin’s brief meeting with Geraldo at a dance contrasts with the ending, where Marin is sent away from a hospital with aspirin and her coat. The difference in scenes is quick and makes Geraldo’s story both heartbreaking and relatable for many others.
Hardships and Immigrant Struggles
Like many immigrants, Geraldo’s story is full of hardship and risk. It reflects how often immigrants go unnoticed or unacknowledged. The final line, “Geraldo—he went north . . . we never heard from him again,” suggests that his family will hold onto his dreams rather than the tragedy of his death. This line is both emotional and realistic, leaving a lasting impact. Marin, the last person to see him alive, witnessed his final moments but didn’t even know his name. Meanwhile, his family, far away, will never know he died. This disconnect is heartbreaking and serves as a reminder of the loss and loneliness that often defines immigrant experiences.
Hornsby vs Cisneros
Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Way It Is |
Sandra Cisneros - Geraldo No Last Name |
Well, they passed a law in '64 To give those who ain't got a little more But it only goes so far Because the law don't change another's mind When all it sees at the hiring time Is the line on the color bar, no |
The hospital emergency room. Nobody but an intern working all alone. And maybe if the surgeon would’ve come, maybe if he hadn’t lost so much blood, if the surgeon had only come, they would know who to notify and where (6). |
Said hey, little boy, you can't go where the others go 'Cause you don't look like they do Said hey, old man, how can you stand to think that way? Did you really think about it before you made the rules? |
But what difference does it make? He wasn’t anything to her. He wasn’t her boyfriend or anything like that. Just another brazer who didn’t speak English. Just another wetback. You know the kind. The ones who always look ashamed. And what was she doing out at 3:00 A.M. anyway? Marin who was sent home with her coat and some aspirin. How does she explain (7)? |
That's just the way it is Some things will never change That's just the way it is That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is |
His name was Geraldo. And his home is in another country. The ones he left behind are far away, will wonder, shrug, remember. Geraldo—he went north . . . we never heard from him again (11). |
Cycle of Indifference
"The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and The Range is the song that best represents my MVP because it connects to the unfairness and prejudice that we see within our society and in the story. I have heard of this song before when I was younger but could not find it. I was always told it was Tupac’s song “Changes”. I found the song by watching the short film titled “Two Distant Strangers” on Netflix. It played at the end credits while showing the names of those who have passed away due to racial injustices. I think it's the perfect song because it not only gives similar indifferences but also has the line, “That's just the way it is” which is sadly used for most racial indifferences. The artist, Bruce Hornsby, has many similar aspects of the story in his life. He was nine years old when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. He was also raised in Williamsburg, Virginia, which had strong racial problems in the 60’s and 70’s. I heard the song the best in the last line where it states, “The ones he left behind are far away, will wonder, shrug, remember. Geraldo—he went north . . . we never heard from him again”. The verse from the song “That’s just the way it is” is how people look at that situation. They don't have remorse or second thoughts, they believe that it is a never-ending cycle, one of prejudice and indifference. The major key elements from the song that match up with the story are the Civil Rights Act and the way people brush off very systematic problems. These are most notable in “Gerald No Last Name” where it states, “And maybe if the surgeon would’ve come, maybe if he hadn’t lost so much blood, if the surgeon had only come, they would know who to notify and where” and “The ones he left behind are far away, will wonder, shrug, remember. Geraldo—he went north . . . we never heard from him again.”
Change the Way it is
Geraldo’s sacrifices and loss in Sandra Cisneros’ "Geraldo No Last Name" is my MVP. Geraldo’s journey north reflects the courage and hardships undocumented immigrants face for a chance of a better life. Though his story is briefly cut short, it speaks volumes about the struggles many face while remaining invisible to society. The people who notice the many injustices such as Marin are left with the feeling of unfairness and loss as they can’t change the outcome due to others' prejudices. Bruce Hornsby & The Range’s “The Way It Is” amplifies the story’s message about social inequality and how systems fail individuals like Geraldo. The song’s lyrics, “That’s just the way it is, some things will never change,” reflect how people justify and accept prejudice as part of life, mirroring how Geraldo was treated in the hospital. His death wasn’t just the result of a hit and run but also the consequence of a system that saw him as less important. Geraldo’s story is one of harsh truths and tragic endings. His life and death symbolize the experiences of countless immigrants who leave their homes and families behind in search of hope, only to face prejudice and neglect. Paired with the song’s melody and lyrics, his story reminds us that “the way it is” should not be the way it stays. Both the story and the song push us to notice how unfairness hurts the people around us and to care about it. Geraldo’s life, even though it was cut short, leaves a powerful message that shouldn’t be ignored but shared so that many others don’t come to the same ending as him.
Works Cited
Geraldo, No Last Name, English 1A, Taught by Professor Jay Lewenstein. Canvas, College of the Desert https://onlinecampus.fcps.edu/media2/english/FCPS_Current_Courses/English_10_Summer_School/referdocs/Geraldo_No_Last_Name_Cisneros.pdf.Links to an external site.
Hornsby, Bruce & The Range. “The Way It Is.” The Way It Is, RCA Records, 1986. Apple Music app. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bruce-hornsby-the-range/137280366Links to an external site..
"Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Way It Is (Video Version)." YouTube, uploaded by Bruce Hornsby, 15 Oct. 2012,www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOeKidp-iWoLinks to an external site.
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