Transnational philanthropists: Alex Rivera's documentary The Sixth Section shows migrants makinga difference.(culture)(Movie Review)

In The Sixth Section (2003), filmmaker Alex Rivera portrays the most salient characteristics of grassroots immigrant organizations that have flourished in the United States in the last quarter of the 20th century. The 30-minute documentary captures the dynamics of cross-border organizing, grassroots globalization, and transnationalism from below, shattering many traditional preconceptions about uprooted migrants. The film shows real possibilities for transcending many barriers imposed by unequal citizenship rights in American society and to engage in social change activities across borders.

The Sixth Section is a documentary that tells the story of Grupo Union, one of the many immigrant-led hometown associations that work for the well-being of their communities of origin in Mexico. Premiered September 2003 on PBS nationwide, the documentary has captured diverse audiences among community-based organizations, academic circles, and mainstream Latino and non-Latino NGOs across the United States.

Rivera presents powerful images of migrants from Puebla who came to upstate New York in the early 1980s when the agricultural economy of their hometown of Boqueron collapsed as a direct result of many years of economic liberalization, dependence in seasonal agriculture, and free trade agreements. Instead of depicting these migrants as passive victims of economic globalization, Rivera chooses to present the everyday lives of these hardworking uprooted migrants and their effort to rebuild their hometown with remittances.

Rebuilding Their Hometown

The documentary follows the organizing efforts of Grupo Union and their effort to keep strong ties with their tiny hometown of 5,000 residents who live in the five sections that make up Boqueron. Grupo Union members have named the Boqueron community in Newburgh "The Sixth Section." Through their effort as industrious grassroots philanthropists, Grupo Union members have significantly improved the lives of the compatriots they left behind. They raised enough money to bring electricity, an ambulance, and a 2,000-seat baseball stadium to Boqueron. So far, they have funded 14 infrastructure projects in Boqueron that include building a church, a basketball court, and buying instruments for the town band.

Despite the fact that the organization did not obtain financial support from the state government in Puebla to develop their various infrastructure projects, the group members are never disheartened and they manifest a solid commitment with the social development of Boqueron. One of their future projects will be to construct a much needed major artesian well to bring water to the desert community.

Organization across Borders