Author Francisco Jiménez used childhood to write books for advocacy

By Keira Silver

With impactful childhood memories, relatable stories for the Latino community, and an inspiring center lead, the 24-minute film “The Unbroken Sky” focuses on the life of author Dr. Francisco Jiménez and his early childhood as a farmworker in California.

Jiménez was four years old when crossed the Mexican border with his family into the United States. They ended up living in a tent city, where there was no plumbing for the community. Basic necessities were often the main priority. Putting food on the table was a struggle. Later, Jiménez traveled with his family throughout California to find work. Eventually, the family ended up in Santa Maria.

With the goal of focusing his career on teaching, Jiménez completed his undergraduate degree at Santa Clara University and earned a bachelor’s degree. He then dived into his graduate studies at Columbia University, where he earned his master’s degree. He additionally earned his doctorate in Latin American Literature, which helped him to foster his career as an author.

Jiménez went on to write and publish four books, one of which includes The Circuit. All are a part of many public schools’ curriculums. “The Unbroken Sky” is based on his second book, Breaking Through sharing his childhood memories as a young boy working in the fields with his family. The 2023 film was viewed at two special showings in March at the Gilroy and Morgan Hill Cinelux theaters as well as a part of a bloc of “Mexico y Tu” films at this year’s Poppy Jasper International Film Festival.

The title “The Unbroken Sky” derives from the belief that the sky is the same no matter what side of the border you are standing on.

The Cinelux showings were sponsored by the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara. They were followed by a Q&A and book signing. Both showings sold out within two days, said Ernesto Olivares, a youth mentor for the Latino Family Fund in Gilroy.

“I feel very grateful, very lucky, to be able to bring such a beautiful film to the South Valley,” he said.

Olivares said the film is relatable to the Gilroy community and the surrounding counties. He also recalls powerful memories from his childhood.

“I think a lot of people resonate with this film,” he said.

During the opening lines of his talk in Morgan Hill, Jiménez became overwhelmed with the amount of positive support he received from the audience.

“I get very emotional every time I see this film because it takes me back to my childhood,” he said.

Jiménez said the film captures the theme on the importance of everyone being a part of “the human family.”

“When we learn about and listen to the different voices of the different groups that make up our diverse society, we make connections,” he said. “And when we make connections, we break down those walls that separate us from one another.”

Jiménez hopes his film will encourage others to share their own stories. He wishes for others to feel inspired to respect immigrants and migrant farmworkers in the United States.

“Their courage, struggles, and hopes and dreams for a better life for their children, and their children’s children, give meaning to the term ‘The American Dream,’” he said. “Their story, your story, is an important part in the American story. It is my story . . . ”

During the Q&A, Jiménez spoke about how his family acquired documentation from a Japanese-American sharecropper after they worked for him by picking strawberries. The sharecropper loaned the family money and then sponsored them so they could return and live in the United States, Jiménez said.

Jiménez also discussed how he has found guidance and inspiration from many individuals throughout his early childhood and adulthood. Most of the support he has received for his career stems from his parents and professors.

“Very few of us can make it on our own,” he said. “I would (have) never been able to succeed without the sacrifices my parents made. I would not have succeeded without teachers who gave me encouragement to go on and get a good education. Teachers are my heroes, as well as my parents.”

Jiménez has siblings who also attended college or completed high school. Some went on to also become teachers, he said.

“There are many teachers in our family,” he said. “The reason for that is, as a family, we value education. We recognize the influence teachers had in our lives, and so we want to give back.”

Jiménez has the goal of encouraging others to pursue education as he has. He believes others can have the same impact through empowerment.

“So that’s what I do,” he said. “I try to promote education among our communities, especially the underserved communities. I think every one of us can figure out one way or another how we can help. In my case, it’s through education.”

Information on the film and Jiménez’s books can be found online at theunbrokensky.com.

Keira Silver is a graduating senior at Christopher High School.