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2019 Midterm1
(assignment) |
LITR 4340
American Immigrant Literature Model Assignments |
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Virginia Deleon
The American Mosaic
Although immigration might seem like a hot
current event, the concept of immigration is nothing new for the U.S. In fact,
the great nation of America was founded by immigrants. From the very first
pilgrim settlers in 1620, who came to the new world escaping religious
persecution—to
the families escaping drug violence in Latin America in 2019—immigrants
have always been at the heart of this nation. Whether it be for religious
freedom, economic opportunity, or simply to have a better life, people from all
over the world have sought after the American dream. The minority narrative,
however, differs greatly from the immigrant identity. Minorities, like African
Americans, did not choose to come to America. They were brought here against
their will or simply ended up on U.S. soil for various reasons. By taking a
closer look into the literature of immigrants and minorities, one can better
understand how they make up the vibrant mosaic that is America.
Often, immigrants are forced to leave their
homelands due to violence and oppression. In Le Ly Hayslip’s compelling
testimony Child of War, Woman of Peace
we read a first hand account from the experience of a Vietnamese immigrant
during times of war. Hayslip was born to a working class family consisting of
peasants and farmers. When the conflicts between North and South Vietnam began
to rise, Hayslip was forced to become involved. In the years following, her
young life would become permanently stained by the tragedies of war. As she
herself states in the memoir, “Before youth has left, old age has come” (IV
113). Here, Hayslip comments on the fact that immigrants are often forced to
grow up faster than others. Although she eventually immigrates safely to America
in order to start a new life—the
scars of her past take some time to disappear.
Sandals
in the Snow, Rose Ihedigbo’s powerful memoir, tells a similar tale about
immigrants fleeing to the U.S. for freedom and safety. After having experienced
the perils of the Nigerian Civil War during the 60’s and 70’s, Ihedigbo’s family
moves to the U.S. for educational opportunities. Here, they start a new life
despite the struggles of assimilation and discrimination from their white peers.
As stated in the memoir, “As Africans, the Ihedigbo children were used to being
different” (IV 163). The Ihedigbos were proud of their Nigerian roots. They had
a deep respect for their elders, a strong work ethic, and a love of sports. Yet,
no matter how hard they tried, they understood they did not quite “fit in” (IV
163). Assimilation was difficult for the Ihedigbos, and it can be difficult for
many other immigrants as well.
In Christine Moon Ko’s
What Color Would You Like, Ma’am? we
see the struggles of the young son of Asian immigrants who is torn between
assimilating to the U.S. and the desire to please his traditional family. In the
short story, Thien waits eagerly for the summer to come so that he can spend
time with his friends and “play basketball and Play Station games for months
while he had the chance” (Course Site). Unfortunately, his family has other
plans for him. His mother expects him to willingly assist at the family nail
salon. Thien’s identity is divided between wanting to be like the rest of his
American teenage friends, yet also pleasing his traditional Asian family in the
form of a model minority. This of course, is a common issue for many immigrants,
especially the children of immigrants.
Furthermore, many immigrants can become the
targets of unfair abuse by the police and corrupt lawyers. In Sui Sin Far
In the Land of the Free, Lae Choo and
Hom Hing are faced with the horrible task of leaving their small child with
customs upon entering the U.S. The officers explain to the distressed parents
that they “cannot allow the boy to go ashore” because “there is nothing” in the
papers that demonstrated that the child belonged to them (IA 4). If this had
been an American family returning from a vacation, their child would have never
been taken from them in such a callous manner. Although policies are put in
place to regulate all visitors, immigrants from other countries are definitely
bigger targets to these certain unfair laws.
In comparison to the immigrant narrative, the history of minorities in the U.S. is far more complex. Although many immigrants are considered minorities, not all minorities are considered immigrants. In the case of most African Americans, for instance, they did not immigrate here voluntarily but were rather brought here and forced into slavery. In Olaudah Equiano’s tragic memoir The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, we learn about his violent kidnapping from his village in Africa and the horrors he experienced while on the slave ship. Equiano goes on to describe the terrors he witnessed, “When I looked round the ship too and saw a large furnace or copper boiling, a multitude of black people of every description chained together, everyone of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow… (Course Site). When discussing immigrants and minorities, it is crucial that one understands this important distinction: minorities did not make the choice to come to the U.S. like most immigrants do.
