what it means to be American

The final project for my Ethnic American Literature course was to present a digital story about, "What it means to me to be an American”. I choose to do my story about family heritage and the diversity that has always been instilled in me since birth. Growing up in suburban Plainfield, NJ my childhood experiences and developments were shaped and formed through my environment.  The maturation of me from childhood was full of lasting experiences that shaped my life all the way to my current level of adulthood. Everyone has their own unique characteristics and attitudes and background. In the development and experiences of my life, there was never a one set theory that could describe me. The environment I grew up in had a lot to do with how I perceive the American dream. By being exposed to different religions, beliefs, and cultures I was able to gain a wider view point on things and not just see them from one perspective.  This first became evident to me in my childhood.  I was put in a situation where a classmate of Muslim beliefs refused to say the pledge of allegiance in class.  Seeing this at this point in time caused my way of thinking to change and become broader.  For starters I was only aware of “God” as a superior being.  By seeing my classmate’s refusal; because the God he served was not recognized in the pledge of allegiance, caused me to realize that religious views may vary and that not everybody serves the same God.  By disobeying an authority requirement was unheard of during this time. In my early childhood I was raised never to disobey an elder; if an adult spoke you did not.  So by seeing my classmates response to a daily routine caused me to be aware of different ideas and opinions.   This is the first time I garnered my own viewpoint.  The effect of this experience has lasted with me till this day. By seeing this I not only gained my own viewpoints but I also did not have to rely on my parent’s guidance. I was given an insight to other cultures, ideas, beliefs and customs.  Living in today’s society there are many foreign influences.  Being able to recognize and respect the differences of individuals and groups gave me a further understanding of other cultures.   

 My mother is Jamaican and Scottish and my father is Bermudian, so the influence of Caribbean style foods and entrees were present in my household.  This has stuck with me till this day. I was lucky to have my parents in my life constanly. There are many children in the world that do not have their parents around. However there was a time where I had to leave my parents side. I can remember the distinctly remember the times when my brother and I were shipped off to Bermuda. I went there to spend time with my grandparents, who I love dearly. Although I was in a place of paradise, I could not rap my mind around the fact that I was without my parents. The abstinence of my parents for three months really affected me. Even though I was surrounded by individuals that loved me dearly, not seeing my mom’s face or hearing my dad’s chuckle really took a toll on me. Because I had a strong bond with my parents, the times where I went to Bermuda were the most difficult times.  Even though I loved Bermuda, and seeing all of my relatives, I never understood why they came along with us.  I was always sensitive about the situation even though there was always a parental figure around, but this would never compare to my own parents.  My relatives were always loving and caring, but the separation of my parents caused me to feel like I was not receiving the same love from my parents. Why did they send me away? Did they love me as much as I loved them? These questions constantly flowed through my head as I spent my time in Bermuda with my relatives.  But how does this relate to being American, it’s because of my family coming over to make better opportunities for themselves that I am able to live freely, have an education, strive for equality and believing. Everyone has their own dream, and everyone shares the characteristics of being from other cultural backgrounds, which what I’ve gotten from the course makes us all American because we all seem to embrace a multiculturalism with all the integrated families that have raised.