I Am Joaquin Analysis

The struggle with racial identity is one all too familiar to those of mixed race. They wrestle with the many races that belong to them, rather than embracing every part of themselves. In Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Pena, the protagonist, Danny Lopez, struggles with his own identity. Similarly, in I am Joaquin by Rodolfo Corky Gonzales, the speaker feels conflicted over which race he should “choose.” Danny’s father is Mexican, and his mother is white. Though he doesn’t know his father well, he puts pressure on himself to live up to his father's expectations, which in Danny’s mind means “acting more Mexican.” Joaquin has a large racial background, with his ancestors being both Mexican and Spanish. He struggles with embracing all of his past