Literature of the Black Atlantic

the melting pot... sounds promising, right? america prides itself on this, but do we really want a nation that is completely homogenized? a nation with complete assimilation? ...boring much? granted, it probably would cut out a lot of racial/ethnic conflict, but ultimately i believe we grow from hardships so....

personally i pride myself on my culture. i am american [technically] but my nationality is much deeper than that. my family comes from the dr and although i was not born there i embrace all that is dominican. in this country there is pressure to be "all american" but what does this even mean??? i constantly find that my ethic background comes into conflict with my "american nationality." its as simple as feeling uncomfortable when a reggaeton song comes on the radio when you are with a group of friends instead of bob dylan or something. its like there is no room for anything foreign.

i feel like america should just be a place of residence. to be completely frank i dont even consider the fact that i am american when the topic of nationality is brought up. its seems like institutions everywhere seek diversity and america "home of the brave, land of the free" isn't on the same page.

when immigrants come to this country they are expected to leave their culture behind. its like we are inadvertantly trying to erase america's personality. this all makes sense in my head and im not sure if i am doing my thoughts any justice, but i think we should embrace different cultures rather than trying to sweep them under the carpet.



tatiana.