In Response To Executive Order 906 Summary

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In the texts, "In Response to Executive Order 9066" by Dwight Okita and "Mericans" by Sandra Cisneros, a topic of American identity and perception of identity is shared. Both texts take a brief look at the lives, characteristics, and feelings of young girls living a bicultural life. In Cisnero's story, the girl seems caught between her two different cultures, and she struggles to connect with her Mexican heritage. In Okita's poem, the girl has a clear sense of her identity and place as an American. Culture is experienced and interpreted differently by each individual and each group of people. The expression of themes and topic in "In Response to Executive Order 9066" and "Mericans" shows that there is no one way or right way to be American or appreciate American culture.

"In Response to Executive Order 9066" is a …show more content…

They both show ways of perceiving American identity and what it means to an individual, particularly of one who is Japanese American or Mexican American. In Dwight Okita's poem, the girl's American identity has to do with her experiences in her life, not where she is originally from. In Sandra Cisnero's short story, the girl's American identity contrasts strongly with her family's culture and heritage. The two texts highlight the importance of individual identity and American identity, not physical appearance and heritage or ethnic background. The main characters in both of the texts relate and connect more to being American than their other cultures. The format of the two texts is different; Okita's work is a poem and also a letter, and Cisnero's work is a short story. Okita's poem provides simple descriptions and direct expression of ideas and details. Cisnero's short story describes the scenes and situations in rich detail, especially the parts talking about the church and religion. The texts use these attributes differently to communicate their themes and ideas