Josh Davis
Writing 100
Duality of Nationality
What it means to be an American is a universally asked question, especially
here in the United States. It is a question every American whether born here or
immigrated here should ask themselves at one point in their life. This is also
important because of how common duality of nationalities is in so many Americans
today. This means being an American citizen while also having a foreign ethnic
identity that is extremely important to you. We read a few poems written by
Authors with different points of view of what it means to be an American, either
with another national identity or while struggling to be accepted due to racial
differences. By reading these different poems we were able to get a broader view of
some problems people have with the way this country handles the issue of
immigration as well as problems many minority Americans have internally with
having two distinct national identities. “Child of the Americas” is a poem written by
a woman named Aurora Morales. In her poem she discusses what it is like for her to
be an American with roots from other nationalities. This internal struggle for a
national identity is a very prevalent issue for all immigrants living in the United
States. Another poem we read was one called “Let America Be America Again” by the
famous Black poet Langston Hughes. This poem is much more raw and angry than
“Child of the Americas.” In this poem Hughes angrily discusses how the dream of
being an American in reality is not what he or most people thought it was going to
be like. The main reason he says it is different is because of the trials and tribulation
he goes through as an African American living in a racist America. While both poems
comment on what it is like to feel like an outsider living in America, it is the poem
“Let America Be America Again” that externally blames America and its values for
the problem the immigrants are facing while living in its borders. Together, the
poems show two options for Americans of dual national identity, as well as how
much acceptance of them has changed.
In the poem “Child of Americas”, Aurora Morales discusses her experiences
an American citizen with a foreign heritage. She says, “I am a child of the Americas, a
light-skinned mestizo of the Caribbean, a child of many diaspora, born into this
continent at a crossroads” (ll. 1-3). This is a very interesting way for Morales to start
off her poem. What some reading this may not have even noticed is that she uses the
word “Americas.” She uses the plural of America because she also is of Caribbean
and South American heritage despite primarily identifying as an American citizen.
This problem of national identity is definitely an internal dilemma that differs by
person. It is not a problem of American society of Culture that increases the
difficulty of immigrants to blend in and contribute to American society. The most
interesting part of Morales’ poem is that she embraces her duality of nationality
stating, “I am new. History made me. My first language was Spanglish. I was born at
the crossroads and I am whole” (ll. 18-20). Here she is saying how she is an example
of a new kind of American. This new kind of American is one who can fulfill all the
obligations and responsibilities that a citizen of the United States should while still
being perfectly able to identify with another nationality and culture. Howvever it is
a new kind of American that is discriminated against and seems to find more
difficulty and being accepted by others.
Langston Hughes takes a very different approach in his poem. This is very
fitting seeing as though Hughes is trying to get a very different point across in his
poem. Through his intense writing, Hughes successfully gets the point across that
due to tensions of race, America is unfortunately not the America that immigrants
and foreigners were told about and promised. Hughes attributes this unfortunate
situation to the immense racist atmosphere that existed in America during the time
period in which this poem was written. Hughes mentions this idea in his poem when
he writes “I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the red man driven
from the land. I am the refugee clutching the hope I seek, but finding only the same
old stupid plan” (789-790). Here Hughes is discussing the same idea previously
discussed but with a very negative twist. Throughout his entire poem, Hughes
speaks in an angry tone, tired of the injustices done in America against the African
American community purely due to the color of their skin. He postulates that the
classic idea of coming to America to start a new life and contribute to American
society is an absolute lie. He says “and yet must be the land where every man is free.
The land that’s mine, the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, Me” (ll. 54-55). Because he is
Black, he is not able to succeed, flourish, and enjoy life in America. Hughes basically
is saying that the American dream is conditional. It can only become a reality if you
meet the requirements.
The most obvious difference between these two poems is tone in which they
are written. Morales’ “Child of Americas” has a tone filled with hope and confidence.
She is confidently informing the reader of her dual national identity and how this
duality is actually a good thing and increases her sense of identity as she ends her
poem by saying “and I am whole” (ll. 20). This poem is written for a very distinct
reader. It is to inspire readers who are in the same situation she is in. It is for
readers who live in America but also understand and identify with another
nationality or culture. This group of people actually makes up a very large
percentage of the American population. Like we discussed in class multiple times,
everyone was once an immigrant. Whether you yourself immigrated to this country
or your great grandparents, you have another national identity from somewhere
else in the world. Hughes’ intense and aggressive poem was written for two reasons.
One was to inspire members of the African American community understand the
bigger picture of their situation in American culture. The other reason was to inform
bystanders of this reality. It is really informing the second audience here about this
situation that will eventually lead to some changes. If the people responsible for this
racism have a way to view the situation from the Black community’s side, perhaps
they will feel more comfortable with speaking out against it.
These poems discuss immigration and what it is like for foreigners living in
and trying to blend in with Americans. Where they differ is what really matters.
“Child of America” can be very useful in that it can show a reader that having a dual
national identity is in no way a crutch to being a real American. This message is very
useful given the number of Americans who are in this situation. Hughes’ poem
accomplishes the same goal but with a different message and a different audience.
His poem can be seen as a beacon of hope for members of the African American
community as well as inform other people of the physical and internal struggles that
these people are going through.