A Handful of Stars

Cynthia Lord explores the complex dynamics between migrant workers and American communities, highlighting the invisible yet undeniable separation that often exists between these two groups. Lily, the protagonist, initially grapples with this societal divide, recognizing the unspoken barriers that prevent meaningful interactions between the two groups. Her confession, “the only reason I ever spoke to Salma Santiago was because my dog ate her lunch,” (1) underscores the randomness of her encounter with Salma, suggesting that genuine connections like it are rare. In Lily’s community, the migrant workers’ presence is often taken for granted, their contributions overlooked, and their voices silenced—Salma states, “People want us to come and work, but they want us to be invisible” (94). This contradiction encapsulates the nuanced challenges migrants confront, where they are both integral to the workforce and yet treated as an annoyance. This marginalization further hinders meaningful connections between the two groups. Lily’s nonchalant remark, “I don’t usually talk to those kids and they don’t usually talk to me” (3), aptly captures a societal refusal to have these two groups interact. In turn, this lack of contact not only limits the opportunities for understanding and empathy but also reinforces the perception of “otherness” that migrant communities often face.