I am still trying to figure out
which identities I am comfortable with, Mexican I will always hold proudly but,
through new academic information I’m not sure if adding –American will be seen
as a way of assimilation. The word Chicano has other things added to it, which
I’m still learning about. So yes, if I am asked I will say Mexican-American,
but my internal discussion is ongoing at the moment. On one side I am thankful that my
parents took the risk of immigrating to this country, and (although the system isn’t
perfect) this country has offered me an education (even then, its fight through
the educational system too). This then raises the question of acknowledging
that by adding the –American after Mexican, but why should I acknowledge a
country that wants my parents out? One that wants to separate my family (the
very family I will die for). That just doesn’t make any sense to me.For this reason the term Cultural Citizenship mentioned in the Ramirez reading definitely caught my eye. “Cultural
citizenship thus allows for an exploration of alternatives to the dominant
model of citizenship based on assimilation, for new possibilities for Latinos-
immigrant and U.S. born- to make public communities and claim space and rights
as full members of society” (Ramirez,162). This is where I am able to “claim
space and rights” in this country while not completely assimilating, and having
the ability to keep the beautiful culture I was raised in. By being a U.S
citizen, I feel that I will hold that identity, but I’m just having trouble
expressing it in a way that I am most comfortable.
Hey there Yaneli! I think it is so great that you addressed the uncertainty you are feeling. I think that claiming total self-understanding is a natural human impulse, but so much of the time we are actually still trying to figure things out. Figure ourselves out. A huge part of the process of understanding ourselves is first realizing what we are uncertain. I also love the words you used, "Internal dialogue," because there is more to this issue than just what the general community deems acceptable or "PC." What it really comes down to is how you feel, what you want, what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable and things like that. Thank you so much for sharing your internal dialogue with all of us!
ReplyDeleteHey Yaneli,
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely an interesting (and difficult!) thing to think about how to identify ourselves, and how to use words/categories/labels that feel authentic and real. Ultimately, I think there isn't ever a single word that can accurately encapsulate or sum up the entire experience of a person, and their entire identity. But we still have to go out there in the world and say "I am..." *something.* And any label we use comes with a host of assumptions and various definitions... like Hannah said, I think it's awesome that you're acknowledging the uncertainty you feel around your identity. In thinking about my own various identities, I know I tend to try to nail down a particular thing, and settle into a specific label, but eventually (and especially with gender and sexuality), I always end up realizing that something about the label feels like it doesn't quite fit me. I think this points back to the difficulty in trying to sum up a person with a word. Thanks for your reflection on your identity! It's good to keep reflecting, and I don't think the uncertainty ever gets completely resolved...