Literature of the Black Atlantic

Reflecting on my life and experiences dealing with my ethnicity and religious background, I really can’t say that there have been any conflicts with my American identity. The background from which I was raised is predominantly French-Canadian – like most of the people I grew up around. Because of this, I don’t see myself as anything but American and my ethnicity plays little role in the conflicts of my life.

I agree with DuBois’ promotion of “double consciousness” and pluralism and feel it is important for immigrants to retain their identities and cultures. However, it is impossible for them to not assimilate at least somewhat into American culture; the important thing, I feel, is for immigrants to hold onto some aspects of their homeland while becoming familiar with some of the American culture. America is essentially a nation of immigrants who have ultimately formed the “American identity,” so it would seem contradictory for new immigrants to abandon their own cultures rather than enriching what has already been developed here.