What does it mean to be American?

Summary

The speaker, born and raised in America, grapples with the concept of American identity. As a child of Soviet immigrants and a member of the Jewish community, he feels like a minority despite being a straight white male. He identifies with different cultures depending on his company, feeling Afghan with his family and American with friends. Another individual, originally from the Dominican Republic, also struggles with the American identity, feeling defined by their immigrant background rather than their birth and upbringing in New York. Both share a sense of not fully fitting the typical American mold due to their diverse backgrounds.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker is an American born and raised in New York, but feels a complex sense of identity due to his family's immigrant background.
• 🇷🇺 He has roots in the Soviet Union, where his parents faced religious persecution before immigrating to the United States.
• 🏙️ Growing up in poverty, the speaker did not experience an 'American' lifestyle as portrayed in mainstream media.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The speaker identifies with the diversity of America, acknowledging that it is not just a 'white' country but includes people of all colors.
• 🤔 Despite being a 'straight white male,' the speaker has always felt somewhat like a minority due to his Jewish heritage.
• 🐏 He has felt like a 'sheep in wolf's clothing,' suggesting an internal struggle with his identity.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 With his extended family, he feels a strong connection to his Afghan heritage, while with friends, he feels American.
• 🗣️ The speaker has experienced identity confusion, having at times identified as Chinese-American, reflecting the fluidity of his self-perception.
• 🌱 He has faced challenges with his identity, particularly when people ask him 'what are you,' implying that he doesn't fit the typical American mold.
• 📜 Obtaining citizenship was a significant milestone for the speaker, allowing him to redefine his identity beyond being just a Dominican immigrant.

Q & A

What is the speaker's nationality, and how does it relate to their personal identity?

The speaker identifies as an American, but they feel a strong connection to their New York roots and their immigrant background from the Soviet Union. They also mention feeling like a minority due to their Jewish heritage.

Why did the speaker's parents immigrate to America?

The speaker's parents immigrated to America from the Soviet Union due to religious persecution and to seek better opportunities that were not available in their home country.

How does the speaker describe their experience growing up in poverty?

The speaker mentions that they grew up in poverty, which likely influenced their perspective on life and opportunities in America.

What is the significance of the speaker's Jewish status in their identity?

The speaker feels that their Jewish status has contributed to their identification as somewhat of a minority, even though they are a straight white male.

Why did the speaker sometimes identify as Chinese-American?

The speaker sometimes identified as Chinese-American, possibly due to a mix-up or confusion in their identity, or as a way to express their complex cultural background.

How does the speaker's family background influence their sense of identity?

The speaker's family background, including their extended family's Afghan heritage, influences their sense of identity, making them feel a connection to different cultures and identities.

What challenges did the speaker face in obtaining American citizenship?

The speaker, originally from the Dominican Republic, faced a hustle to obtain citizenship and to not be considered an immigrant, which was a significant struggle for them.

How does the speaker feel about being asked 'What are you?' upon meeting new people?

The speaker feels that being asked 'What are you?' makes them feel as if they are not allowed to be American because of their skin color, which is a source of confusion and frustration.

What does the speaker believe defines their identity?

The speaker believes that their identity is not solely defined by their parent's background or their skin color, but also by their experiences and personal journey.

How does the speaker view the concept of 'America'?

The speaker views 'America' as a place of abundant opportunities and diversity, not just as a nation for white people, and includes people of color and various backgrounds.

What does the speaker's document signify for them?

The document signifies that the speaker is more than just a Dominican girl who doesn't know English, and it represents their ability to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.