Summary Of Okitas Poem By Ciseneros

American identity is a certain characteristic that all Americans share, it is what unifies are nation as one whole nation, despite the difference amongst certain ethnicity. All it takes to be American is to assimilate into the what the average American does, like what he speaks, and what he does for his free time. Where one comes from does not define being American, rather its what is done to assimilate into the American life. Okitas poem and Ciseneros story both examine the ideology of what it means to be American; both texts suggest that, in order to meet the expectations of American identity, a certain criteria must be met on the societal and cultural aspect. In Okitas poem “Response to Executive order 9066” a strong social bond is tied between the narrator and a character named Denise. The characterization of the
narrator is a Chinese American girl who goes to an American school. Throughout the majority of the poem the narrator explains the similarities shared between her and Denise. “My friend is a white girl named Denise, we look at boys together” (Okita 1).
The narrator is inferring that the two share a close friendship, a relationship between a White girl and a Chinese girl. Despite the narrator having Chinese descent she is still able to fit into a normal American society as evidenced by her and her friend Denise's close relationship. This shows that despite an individual's ancestral heritage it is still possible to assimilate in American society. As inferred by the title of Ciseneros story, “Mericans”, prime examples of Mexican-American people trying to fit into American culture is shown. The narrator is waiting for her grandmother at church. “The awful grandmother had been gone a long time- we must stay near the church entrance. We must not wander over to the Gallon and Punch Ball vendors” (Cisenero 1). The narrator calling her grandmother awful for going to a Mexican church implies that the narrator truly doesn’t agree with her native culture. Despite having a Mexican American decent the narrator would rather do something American like Punch Ball Vendors, as opposed to waiting for her grandmother go to a Mexican
church. In “Response to Executive Order 9066”, and “Merican” they are similar by conveying the message that despite ancestral heritage it is still possible to define yourself as an American citizen despite skin color or race; However both works address this in different ways. In “Response to Executive Order 9066” a societal aspect of a Chinese American trying to fit into society; by showing its possible for the narrator to fit into an American school environment. In “Mericans” a cultural aspect of a Mexican- American narrator is shown by showing the narrators defiance toward its traditional culture, and desire to partake in an American cultural activity. Both address the central theme of what it means to be an American but in different aspects. The criteria required for one to truly be identified as an American, is one must exemplify the ability to conform to American society as well as its culture. In the poem “Response to executive order 9066” it is shown that a Chinese narrator can fit into American society. In “Mericans” it is shown that some Mexican Americans would prefer American culture as opposed to Mexican culture. Both works convey the theme of American identity. Works Cited Okita, Dwight. “In Response to Executive Order 9066”: All Americans of Japanese Descent Must Report to Relocation Centers. Tia Chucha Press, 1992, Chicago Ciseneros, Sandra. “Mericans”: Vintage Books. Random House Inc, 1991. New York