Reader: Vickie Baillio
Respondent: Yvonne Hopkins
Recorder: Cleo Huval-Moore
22 February 2001

Pat Mora, "Immigrants," UA 119

1. The parents are 1^st generation immigrants and have come to America. They’ve left the old world and are trying to assimilate into the dominant American culture.
2. They are trying to lose or minimize their ethnic identity.
3. They wonder if after doing all the American or right things, will their children still face discrimination?

She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Her four grandparents had migrated from Mexico to El Paso to escape a revolution early in this century. When she was young, she spoke Spanish at home but did not want her school friends to know that she did.

Mora has said that she has trouble identifying with the people in Mexico who were born and raised there. In Mexico, she realizes she can’t totally understand the reality of the people who live there.

When writing her poetry, Mora says that although she is bilingual, she is English dominant. She can express herself with more confidence in English than in Spanish.

"Immigrants" demonstrates the almost desperate need of an immigrant family for acceptance in their newly adopted homeland. The parents begin the assimilation process by immersing their baby in all the material aspects and traditions that define the dominant culture: anglicized names, fast food, dolls with blonde hair and blue eyes, and football cleats. In effect, any semblance of ethnic identity is erased by the denial of the family’s native language and the acquisition of new cultural symbols. Yet, despite the best efforts of the parents, a lingering fear exists that discrimination and rejection will prevail: "Will they like …our fine American girl?" The poem poignantly captures the insecurity of first generation immigrants striving to build a better future for their children. The cost of achieving the American Dream involves the inevitable suppression of ethnic pride and identity.

Yvonne: Universal ideal of wanting to be accepted. You can tell they are new immigrants, very nervous and desperate. Fear of rejection by the dominant culture.

Sylvia: compares to "Soap and Water"

washing our ethnicity away, redundant in our literature

Poignant, hide their own background, denial of their culture

Rachel: Extreme emotion is displayed when your real self emerges

Cathy: Referring to dark- embarrassed by the color of their skin and became blonde

Dr. White: Dark = place of intimacy

Reinforce-shock, residence

In the 3^rd stage; all minorities feel this. Fear of rejection. The reference to "they" instead of "us".

Them against us; don’t feel as though they belong

Kelly: They do not speak their native language to their baby when it is awake

Mary: Similar to the "I Love Lucy Show"-Lucy is trying to teach little Ricky in big words versus Desi teaching in Spanish