Immigrants, even after becoming American citizens, often find it hard to fit in. While there may be those who welcome them with open arms, there are still those who are struggling to be accepted. What gives them hope is living the "American Dream," a concept that embraces equality for all.
A Fight For Recognition
For many immigrants, the struggle to fight for their American identity continues. One classic example is Pablo Ramirez, a Mexican-American whose parents and siblings have already become American citizens. For Pablo, despite the fact that they have gained the right to be called Americans, his family still endures racial slurs thrown at them.
NPR recounted the experiences that Pablo and his family experienced when they first arrived in America. What was initially regarded as only a couple of years of stay by his parents to raise money to buy a truck became a permanent residency. For Pablo's father, it was the "American Dream" that prompted him to stay.
Pablo's own struggles with identifying himself made it previously hard for him to have a grasp of his race. He's thankful however that through the efforts of his parents, he was able to attend school, and he's now in college.
Ethnic Studies - An Eye Opener
What opened his eyes to embracing his own ethnicity and heritage was the ethnic studies. His previous notion of race as being black and white slowly fell into the proper perspective. For Pablo, it was the flame that made him understand and be proud of his own history as a Latino male.
His education gave him the opportunity to see his rights clearer and attune his perspectives to the "American Dream" that his father would like to point out. He now had a growing sense of pride knowing that his race and color does not set him apart from Americans, rather, it is a stepping stone to reaching something better, not only for him but for his family.
In This I Believe, the importance of education was highlighted. It was regarded as the key to success. For Pablo Ramirez, this rings true. His college education made him the Mexican-American that he is now, proud of his heritage, embracing both in his entire being.
