The Struggle of Cultural Identity Essay Sample

A key component of our identity is culture and how we relate to it. Food, traditions, beliefs, clothing and language are all aspects of culture which contribute to the makeup of our cultural identity. While we may relate to culture in different ways, it is generally interpreted differently. One of the things that make American culture so unique is that it is a hodgepodge of different cultures brought from all over the world. The idea that people may be born into one culture but still have to find their own cultural identity is expanded upon in “Mericans” and “In Response to Executive Order 9066” through the usage of imagery as both protagonists, Ozawa and Micaela, struggle to establish their cultural identities in America. Despite their strong feelings for American culture, Micaela and Ozawa are treated as outsiders by fellow Americans.

“In Response to Executive Order 9066” - a short poem by Dwight Okita - is about a Japanese girl who lives in America when President Eisenhower issues Executive Order 9066 requiring all Americans of Japanese descent to report to relocation centers. Okita uses imagery and character dialogue to support the theme of struggling to find cultural identity. The protagonist who is never mentioned by first name - only her last Ozawa -  relates more to American culture than her ethnic Japanese. Evidence of this is shown when Okita writes “I have always felt funny using chopsticks and my favorite food is hot dogs” demonstrating that her favorite food is an American staple and her discomfort in using traditional Japanese chopsticks. She also notes that “My best friend is a white girl named Denise''.  The emphasis on the “White Girl” implies that Ozawa is integrated into American culture to a point where her best friend is not only an American, but the quintessential “White Girl” American. Thus, Ozawa demonstrates a closer association with American culture rather than her Japanese. She also faces opposition from her own friend when she tells her,““You’re trying to start a war […] giving secrets away to the Enemy, Why can’t you keep your big mouth shut?” This confirms the fact that no matter her association with American culture, some will always see her as an outsider.

"Mericans", a short story by Sandra Cisnero,  documents the story of a young girl Micaela, struggling with her cultural identity as she lacks a strong attachment to her Mexican background. Micaela feels as if she doesn't fit into Mexican culture and subsequently, resents the things her Grandma makes her do that would otherwise preserve their Mexican tradition. An example of this is when Micaela’s Grandmother takes her to Church and when shows her how to pray, Micaela says, “The awful grandmother makes me kneel and fold my hand”. The particular word choice makes it seem that Micaela harbors contempt towards her Grandmother teaching her how to do specific things, the Mexican way. Another example of Micaela thinking that she doesnt fit into Mexican culture is at the end of the story when Cisnero notes “We’re Mericans, we’re Mericans, and inside the awful grandmother prays” firmly proclaiming her identity as an American with the “awful” Grandma representative of Mexican culture.

Both of these stories are examples of two young adolescents struggling to find their own cultural identity. Both Ozawa and Micaela have two cultures,  their birthright and the one they inhabit.  In both stories, the authors use 3rd person commentary to highlight the protagonists as being foreigners, even though they relate to American culture. In “In Response to Executive Order 9066”, Okita writes that the narrator's friend says,“You’re trying to start a war” identifying her as Japanese rather than an American. Cisnero also uses a similar technique when a woman at the Church remarks that Micaela and her brothers are “not from here” stripping them from any association of an American identity. However, Okita uses imagery with the narrator using the example of a hot dog being her favorite food affirming her American identity while Cisnero is more blunt and uses an anaphora to emphasize that “We’re Mericans, we’re Mericans”. 

In conclusion, Cisnero and Okita both use similar and different literary methods to show that even though both girls have strong cultural heritages, they must find their own cultural identities and relate to them. Imagery is a tool used by both authors as the narrator in Okita’s poem associates herself more strongly with American culture using the imagery of a hotdog as affirmation. Micaela has a much stronger connection to her Mexican family due to her Grandmother’s involvement and the imagery of the inside of the church lead to a depressing picture from her point of view. All these ideas and influences play an important role in determining how each narrator contemplates their connection to the American part of their identity but at the same time, staying true to one’s roots.