Milagro Movie Theoretical Perspectives Strengths Perspective Assets of Geographical location Land Water Agricultural Focus Natural Beauty Climate Strengths Perspective Contd Community Assets Unity Solidarity Loyalty Traditions Customs Culture Religion Willingness to help each other Social Capital Functionalists Perspective Bar served as gathering place Church served as meeting house Bean Field served as a symbol of unity and tradition among the Hispanic community The Poor served as a minority without political power for the wealthy developers to oppress and exploit The Fat Cats served a function to help the community to realize they are losing their traditions and heritage Conflict Perspective Division between poor Hispanic community and the wealthy land developers due to the struggle over scarce resources such as land and water Internal conflict between the community members Internal struggle was to conform to change or stand your ground Conflict Perspective Contd Sheriff was the element of control so the wealthy could continue to exploit the vulnerable community Land developers had access to power through political connections to the governor whereas the Milagro community lacked the voice of political power Ecological Perspective Wealthy land developers negatively impact the local community through the conflict over the scarce resources Reciprocally the poor community becomes upset and retaliate by continuing to grow beans Investors attempt to shut down the bean field operation In turn the community unites in protest and delays the land developers project In conclusion People effect their environments and their environment effect them reciprocally Rational Social Exchange Perspective Joe decided to plant bean field because it was beneficial to his family Fat cats decided to develop the land in their own best interest to gain monetary assets Ruby made decision to inform community to unite them on their common values Old Man A decided to make a self sacrifice for the better of the community because the angel said so Social Constructionists Perspective Hispanic community wanted to keep in compliance with their heritage because that is all they know The fat cats view of the Hispanic community seemed inconvenient and ridiculous because their reality was constructed around money and power so they do not understand the community s attachment to the land Buenos Dias Adios Amigos