The Importance Of Race In Puertooricanness By Pat Mora

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Throughout American history, society has grown from the many different aspects of cultures coming together as one. Many of our families leave their homeland to come to America for more opportunities where we often are told to embrace our cultures yet to a certain extent. While growing up we adapt to American culture without realizing that we are even allowing ourselves to hide our own cultural beliefs and upbringings. The two main characters within “Puertoricanness” by Aurora Levins Morales and “Elena” by Pat Mora both demonstrate an interest of the significance regarding race in contemporary American society. Within both readings, it is implied or many of those who believe that if we assimilate to American culture that it will open more
A Mexican woman is experiencing a difficult time trying to adjust her old life to American culture. The first line states, “My Spanish isn’t enough” (1). She accepts the fact that her spanish isn’t enough anymore. She begins to reminisce about her previous life back in Mexico with her children. “Now my children go to American high schools, they speak English” (8). The protagonist left Mexico to allow her family to have a better life but away from the rest of her family she risked more opportunities for her family to “feel dumb and alone” (11). As her children kept going to American schools their English improved as well, which made the mom feel like an outcast from her embarrassment at mispronouncing words” (16). Although she was embarrassed by her little English, she would take her English book and lock herself in the bathroom “for if I stop trying, I will be deaf when my children need my help” (22). She had a lack of motivation from her husband however, she did it to feel more connected with her family and wanted to be able to bond with her children without struggling. The mom slowly tried to adapt to American culture for her children but still accepted her previous life in
She arrived to the United States in 1967. During this time period many people of different cultures came to America for similar reasons such as money, education, more opportunities, and etc. Within this literary criticism it states, “Her Puerto Rican-Jewish heritage has also been an important source of creativity. Her search for a language that will express a Latina woman’s experience and struggle identifies her with the body of literature produced by the US women of color, and closely connects her with the work of contemporary Chicana writers” (Aparicio). Frances Aparicio discusses how Aurora Levins Morales cultural background influenced her writing and how she is defined as a writer. Towards the ending Frances Aparicio states, “As Puerto Ricans have moved away from New York City and settled in other urban centers throughout the United States, their life experiences have varied, and the emerging writings are thus characterized by greater diversity of voices” (Aparicio). People can move place to place and their culture will stick with them regardless or not if they are adapting to American culture there is still a sense of diversity amongst

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