Un-American Stereotypes

Americans have a very typical stereotype which is seen across the nation. People in this country come from many different backgrounds and cultures which is what makes our country a melting pot. Yet, still in our country we see a divide between races and what people truly see as "American". Some believe that to be truly American you need to be white and born and raised in this country. Both Okita's poem and Cisnero's short story show that although you may come from a different cultural background it does not mean that you are un-American.

In Okita's poem "Response to Executive Order 9066" the narrator is characterized as a 14-year old girl who does not like using chopsticks and enjoys eating hotdogs. Typically, coming from a Japanese background
The narrator characterizes the grandmother as a woman who prays for her children and grandchildren who she says are being raised in a barbaric country, by saying this she is stating that she dislikes America. On the other hand the narrator describes that she enjoys playing and chasing her siblings around behind the church. While playing these games with her siblings, her brother references multiple movie that are American such as The Lone Ranger. Towards the end of the story the narrator speaks of a woman and man who approach and assume that they do not speak English. This is the characteristic of a lot of Americans who assume that because of looks you are confined to one certain culture, language, and community.

In both works we see a stereotype for the American people and how it affects other people new to our society. The poem and short story both show a kind of rude racism towards new people or people of a certain race. Also, both works show just how much of a melting pot our society is and how we come together to form one nation. Both Okita and Cisneros use children to portray their stories and get their point across. They try to appeal to the sympathy we have for children and the innocence they