On Being a Mexican American

"Una vez que un norteamericano mexicano, siempre un norteamericano mexicano." This is the best way to sum up the theme and feelings evoked from "On being a Mexican American" The saying is basically stating "Once a Mexican American, always a Mexican American." This doesn't only apply to the Mexican culture, but to all those who immigrate from other countries and walks of life. Despite the desire to fit into the American culture and become "Anglosized" as the article states, we cannot fully engulf ourselves in it. Even those who are born here are almost always reminded of their culture. Being an American is one of the hardest things to do because, unlike other cultures, we have no true "definition" of what it means to be an American. We have traditions, for example, that we celebrate, but it's not nationwide as some celebrate the traditions in a different manner.
I feel the author's story about his transformation into the Anglosized American stands for a commonplace theme of "acceptance" and "fitting in." When many people come to America (Or a new country), they're instantly hit with numerous things that are different from their own culture (i.e. culture shock). It doesn't help matters any when stereotypes are built up about them and they are met by hostile neighbors, co-workers and classmates.
This desire to fit into a new country where they know no one and nothing can cause a person to conform, to leave the prominent parts of their culture that was once so strong by the wayside to fit into a completely different culture that they've been pushed into, thus the situation the author was put into. When in the town he grew up with, his culture was all he was surrounded by and loved, but slowly and surely turned into the "normal" American person that he was expected to be.

My response??: In a nutshell, it's easy to claim one will never lose their culture, but it is not until one is put in such a situation that it is tested. Being an immigrant is not easy and to survive and be who you are, some changes are necessary. Being an immigrant is never easy, especially when you're part of a culture with many stereotypes built up against it.

Long Live The King

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was of course known for his Civil Rights Movement for equality among Blacks (And other minorities) and Whites. The point of this blog is NOT to ramble about his many achievements, but to analyze whether the movements he did really were effective and what parts of Dr. King's dream didn't come true.
Today, in 2011, we are not required to go to schools only for our race, but to diverse schools (like Whitney Young). Like discussed in class, it's more in our COMFORT zone that we attend a predominately Black/White/Asian, etc school and acquire friends of the same race. With no interaction with others of other races, stereotypes can build and suddenly it's all we know and it's not until we meet and get to know someone of a different race that we know said stereotypes are not real. And, theoretically speaking, we are back to the same square Dr. King was in nearly 40-50 years ago, except it's completely voluntary. Some people will never believe in equality among the races, but we advocates of it shouldn't allow those who aren't for it to rule our lives.
As for whether Dr. King is still relevant for today, I'd honestly say not as much as before. I'd say there are numerous other causes that need attention, and while we never need to forget what movements people like Dr. King did, we need to move on to other movements while still advocating for those who are oppressed by racism. There are many people who are advocating many good things that go unrecognized. Keeping Dr. King and his motives in heart, let's take his philosophy of equality and help other movements so that others will see other oppressed groups and help make them equal. Maybe change won't happen now, but it can happen later if there are many supporters. Dr. King's dream will live on in those who advocate and do things to help it continue to grow.

"To be Young, Gifted, and Black"

What does it mean to be "Young, Gifted and Black"? The first two words are quite explainable, but what about the end of it? Does being black naturally come with the thought that one is going to live in the south or in the "Ghetto" as explained in the text? Maybe it means that we're thought of as less?
Maybe it means to be trendsetter, to do something that no one else will do. Maybe it means that they will begin something that hasn't been done, like Martin Luther King. The author's family lived in a white neighborhood where they were subjected to horrible curses, degrading and other such abuses because of race. This wasn't common in this time and though the family probably struggled, it helped them be stronger and really understand the world around them.
What does it mean to be black? Maybe it means being loved by family, feeling a closeness without having to say any words? Maybe it means being able to express love without having to be affectionate? Like when the author's family was sick and was fed soup and had Vick's rub on their body to keep them better. It wasn't until the death of their father that the children experienced the love of their mother in hugs and it felt extremely weird. They were close without the affection and continued to be close without it.
Maybe being black means playing games without needing money-making the best of what they had like playing "Miss Mary Mack" or hopscotch or other children games like that and just enjoying their friends and family in the street like the author and her siblings.
Or maybe all these components make up an American-Trendsetter, enjoying the free things in life, showing appreciation for the country and it's components without physical show. Maybe being black and being an American are closely related and color and ethnicity are only components to make America the country it is.