'On Being a Mexican American'

I have recently read a story called “On being a Mexican American” by Joe I. Mendoza, which talks about Mr. Mendoza’s life as he grew up.  He was born in America but raised as a Mexican.  He lived in a total Hispanic neighborhood and spoke Spanish or Spanglish.  It was almost like he lived in Mexico.  As a child he didn’t feel the segregation until he got yelled at by a teacher for being on the wrong side of the school.  As Joe Mendoza grew up he became “Anglocized” because he moved to an all white neighborhood, learned perfect English, went into the U.S. Army, attended a university and married an Anglo woman.  He began to teach at an all white school and felt accepted but when he returned to his home town, he realized how much he had almost forgotten.  He realized that this is where he grew up this is where he was shaped into the person he is today. 

Where you were born, how you were raised, your friends are all things that shape you as a person and no matter how much you try you won’t be able to forget it; they will always be there.  I enjoyed this text because it is very true.  People may be born in America but they are not necessarily considered American in other’s eyes.  And it may be hard to see in you but I know that just by watching my brother I have seen him change friend crowds and I have observed a change in his attitude and how he thinks.  It may be because we are all getting older but it also can be because the people that we surround ourselves with change who we are.

King Still King

Martin Luther King’s day is just around the corner so it no coincident that today’s blog be about him.  Mr. King fought for equality; so that all people have the same right and you do not look at a race and think or them as lover or have stereotypes about them.  Martin Luther King started protest after protest, being jailed and beat to fight for something he believed in. 

Now have we have reached equality?  No, I do not believe equality has been reached it.  There are still stereotypes for each color or race; our neighborhoods are still segregated.  Maybe it is because people still subconsciously choose to stay amongst themselves.  Who knows, but look at the neighborhoods look at the churches; do you see the difference because I do. 

Equality means all the same not one over the other but even within the walls of our very high school it is not equal.  The last time we sophomores were in the theater and had and old Whitney Young student come and speak to us, you know what he said he talk about African Americans finally being able to improve he directed the whole conversation about African Americans.  He explained how they were smart how they could succeed, how they could be the best and he left every other race out.  Even our principal concentrates on black people.  Listen to her speeches and you will hear how much she venerates African Americans.  This is not equality.

Why must we boost other races higher that another.  Last I heard everyone at Whitney Young can have good grades.  It all depends now on how much that person cares and tries.  I don’t want to seem racist but if you look deep down its true.  Because of Martin Luther King we have taken great strides towards equality but maybe it’s a human default, someone must always be better.  It was not only the African Americans that were badly treated but other races as well.  It is not just a black and white picture.  People need to understand that EQUALITY is. 

Though you won’t see as much full blown racism anymore there are some things that still linger in people’s minds.  King would be proud of all the tolerance people have today and that it is okay to walk hang in hang with someone of another color.  But would people want to do it?  That is another story.  

What is an American

My American Lit teacher is making us read stories to make us think about “What is an American”.   My favorite story is the one I read tonight called “This Sacred Soil” by Seattle.  It talks about North America from a true native’s point of view.  Seattle shows no anger towards the white people even if they are killing off his people.  The text starts off with the Europeans coming over to America and Seattle is saying that their God loves them and protects them but rejects his red children, if they even are His children.  It goes on to explain the white man’s God had to write the rules in stone so that the people would not need to forget while for Seattle and his people religion is passed down from one generation to the other.  Also the natives honor their roots, their ancestors while the newcomers have left with almost no regret.  The European people do not believe in family and are ignorant of their surroundings.  They must learn how to respect what got them to where they are.  The whites may have many more people that Seattle and his tribe but God cannot protect them from the cycle; there will be a downfall and from that his people will take back the land that they love and ancient people will help for there is no death.