Growing up Mexican-American in the United States can be a challenge itself. Throw in the task, of learning two languages, it made for a very confused little girl. There was often times growing up when I wondered why no one, but my family spoke Spanish. Why everyone at school and all my friends spoke this different language. Sometimes it even seemed like I was two different people.
In my original poem “The Border” I attempted to imitate Gary Soto’s work. In my “imitation” I tried to have similar content to Soto’s poems. I talked about what life would be like for a pre-teen Mexican-American that is far away from their extended family similar to how Soto discussed what life was like for a Mexican-American in his poems. I also had a similar style and informal language like Soto to help characterize how a kid would speak. Furthermore, I included a lot of enjambment like Soto because a kid talks in longer sentences.
Very few, if any, immigrants have the chance to learn English before traveling to the U.S. Because of this barrier, it is nearly impossible for organizations such as the Border Patrol to warn, aid, and communicate with them as they travel to the U.S. Although there are helpful signs along the border, they are written in English and are therefore indecipherable. Furthermore, the language border hinders an immigrant’s ability to survive in American society once they arrive. English is the written and spoken language in almost every city, thwarting immigrants’ opportunity to find jobs and interact with others. As they struggle to communicate, they become ostracized and do not fit in.
Richard Rodriguez and Gloria Anzaldúa are two authors who both immigrated to America in the 1950s and received first hand experience of the assimilation process into American society. During this time, Rodriguez and Anzaldúa had struggled adjusting to the school system. Since understanding English was difficult, it made adjusting to the American school system increasingly difficult for Rodriguez. Whereas Anzaldúa, on the other hand, had trouble adjusting to America’s school system due to the fact that she didn’t wish to stop speaking Spanish even though she could speak English. Both Rodriguez and Anzaldúa had points in their growing educational lives where they had to remain silent since the people around them weren’t interested in hearing them speaking any other language than English.
On one hand, she is proud of her Mexican roots and is frustrated by the way her family and community are treated in America. She is constantly reminded of the prejudice and discrimination that Mexican-Americans face, and this fuels her desire to challenge the stereotypes and expectations that are placed on her. On the other hand, she is also excited by the opportunities that America offers and is eager to explore the world beyond her family and
By all means; the Imperfect Mexican-American When I was younger, I couldn't fathom what my parents meant when they said ‘‘Cruce la frontera para que tengan una mejor vida,’’ In other words, I crossed the border for my children to have the future they longed for; their American dream. I understood the troubles and sacrifices they went through and felt the pain they carried for leaving their motherland, yet I didn't understand what life they were looking for me and my sisters. Years later, one afternoon, my sister greets us with the news that she got accepted to college, I thought this is it, the better life my parents wished for us, the sacrifices they made are paying off, yet to my surprise what was suppose to be proudness turned out to be
He supports this argument by telling his own story of being forced to learn English by the bilingual education system. The experience he had learning English made him experience great embarrassment, sadness, and change. Rodriguez concludes his experience by discussing how English had changed his personal life at home: “We remained a loving family, but one greatly changed. No longer so close;no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness.” By learning English, Rodriguez’s family is finally able to integrate into society without language barriers.
At first, the social peculiarity given to me by my migration status and language limitations made me a victim of bullying, which made me want to go back to the safety and similarity of my home country. However, the persistent nature engraved in me by my parents did not allow me to give in to the constant discriminatory voices that kept telling me that I would never be "American" enough.
If you are feeling a little confused that’s okay, this is judgment free zone. I am twenty three years old and on the verge of graduating this December, And my interpretation of messages changes every day that I mature and grow as a person.
El Paso and Ciudad Juarez lie side by side, but are separated by the Rio Grande. The border’s way of life relies on the dividing line. As a resident of Ciudad Juarez, I experience a blend of cultures on an everyday basis. However, in 2010 the unique culture of the city was darkened by the shedding violence in Ciudad Juarez. Ciudad Juarez came to be known as the deadliest city in the world.
The poem “To live in the Borderlands means you”, by Gloria Anzaldua perfectly describes how it is to live here in the valley and be Mexican American and how difficult can be for someone to try to fit in. I have seen how people have been judged only because they misspelled a word or because their accent. Even though those people are trying their best. Everyone should remember that we are equal and that we always should be proud of where we came from.
One of the toughest adjustments, having been born to Mexican parents, is migrating to an unknown country where traditions and languages differ from one 's own. Though many pursue an education and strive for a better life, the purpose behind an immigrant, like myself, differs from the typical American. Immigrants strive for a life that was once impossible, going to school is not only to attain an education, but to better prove that we can also become successful regardless of our traditions and skin color. I lived in a country for over fifteen years, fearing deportation, not only losing a home, but potentially saying goodbye to a bright future. Although many feel empathy for Mexican-Americans, it is undeniably difficult to truly comprehend the immense trauma children and even adults undergo upon experiencing racism and prejudice.
In the continuous process of the construction of cultural identity, the human being seeks to find the place and moment in which he will feel totally and fully 'at home'" (Porto da Rocha and Strehlau, 196). This resonates with my own experience of grappling with my Latino heritage and American identity. While my cultural background has certainly influenced my identity, I don't let it define me. I see myself and still identify primarily as an American, someone who values the ideals of diversity, and innovation that make our society so great. At the same time, I am proud of my roots and the multiple influences and experiences that have shaped my life.
I was born in the Dominican Republic, and at the age of seven, I received the great news that I would be moving to the United States. This was a huge change for me, and I was excited to start a new life in a new country. However, I quickly realized that I was not prepared for the challenges that came with living in the United States. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the language barrier.
Speaking the language of my ancestors that I’ve longed to be connected to for as long as I can remember has allowed me to form meaningful relationships, and has given me the confidence in my culture I’ve always wanted. This whole journey has fostered understanding and forged bonds across all cultures connected through Latin America. Conversations that I have had with my own family that I’ve known my whole life revealed new perspectives, enriched my worldview, and deepened my appreciation for their own experiences within the Latino community. I’ve gotten to hear stories from my abuela that would have never been shared with me due to the language barrier that I am so proud to say is longer standing. Through these connections, I realized that language is not just a tool for communication; it is a gateway to understanding and
