This question is for ethnic minority members,immigrant and first-generation/second generation members?

Question

Have you ever suffered from ambiguity, identity confusion?a confused sense of belonging?Don't get me wrong.Thanks

Answer 1

For what I learn is the first generation is working too hard to worry about who they are. They have to master the English language and culture. It's usually the second generation that question who they are.

Second Gen usually has some if not none of the memory but some favor of the old country. This ambiguity is one of the strongest trademarks in this country. Just look at “GOD FATHER” So long as you have a history of where you’re from, you know where you’re going.

I think slavery in this country did one of the most devastating thing and that is remove the personnel history and country those who where enslaved. And we’re all paying for it. History do limit you but in this country it also free you from your limits.

Answer 2

As a first-generation German-American who is also Black and Jewish, I rarely feel confused; I know all too well who I am and where my roots are. I won't lie, though -- I don't usually 'belong' anywhere, and it can get to me. It's lonely sometimes.

You'll probably hear back from some who will say that you are American and it shouldn't matter, but know that they often don't know the first thing about the cultures from which they came and can only identify as American. And that's total bullshit, because separation of races, ethnicities and social classes is the American ******* way and always has been. But I get you: when you are the only Greek immigrant family on the block, you seem REALLY Greek and, sometimes, really alone.

Maybe you should find and start a social group of people of your particular background; just don't lock yourselves away -- get out there and experience America the best you can. This is your country, too. No need to behave as a guest in someone else's house.

Answer 3

Your question is a very good one, that can be answered in many different ways a as you asked only immigrants, first generation, second, etc, but their views will differ depending on when these immigrants arrived.

Immigrants have changed dramatically and are far different from the ones that arrived in the early 1900's. Then, there was a sense of "we must belong" taught and impressed on their children. For example in the NorthEast area, italians, germans, etc pushed their kids to become Americans, even speaking only English at home. They wanted desperately their children to become Americans. I Have friends and relatives who never learned to speak Italian, German, etc properly.

The later waves of immigrants have done the opposite, embracing their culture, trying sometimes (please re read sometimes) to impose their native language, customs, etc. not only to their children, but in the communities they settled and raised their families.

Extremes are not good, we have seen their results in Religion, politics, etc. By becoming an American, learning to love the country that welcomes you and gives you and your children opportunities that were NOT open to you in your native country deserves: loyalty, a sheer desire to incorporate to the American society, accepting and tolerating differences, instead of imposing yours.

Maybe if our kids were taught to become Americans, a little bit more like the early 1900's, with a sense of loyalty, love for this country, they would not feel so isolated and stranger, or even confused in this beautiful country.

Just my humble opinion.

Answer 4

My family emigrated from Pakistan when I was 2 yrs old (in 1975) and I've felt the occassional sting and wrath of racism. My kids (who were born here and raised completely here) also feel a sense of isolation because while they try to accomodate Western life into a traditional home life, it gets a little bit confusing. The biggest problem is explaining to them that they ARE Americans but also have a cultural heritage that can't be dismissed. It's definitely confusing for them at times, but with open discussions and communication with them and their teachers, they're doing great.

Answer 5

Want the confusion to go away? Do what the jews, italians, irish, polish, scandanavians, and every other prior immigrant class did: ignore the racism, work hard, don't complain, get educated, learn english immediately, empower your ehtnic class, don't look for handouts, love your heritage but love the fact that you are an AMERICAN FIRST, keep your heritage to yourself and your ethnic class, realize that your people came to America because your country is SECOND BEST to America. Do all of those things and let me know if the confusion goes away.

Answer 6

As First Nation people, we were in this land first. The English came and 'bought' our land. They gave us small plots of land which was inhabitable and took away our hunting and fishing rights. They took our children and brainwashed them. They tried to annihilate us. The French have more rights than we do. All other immigrants are treated better than we are. Canada refuses to pay for the land they bought. Am I confused about that? Hardly. I expect that from the English.

Answer 7

When you see borders and divisions as human made, it helps you see from a bigger scope, just because some people moved to one place and have children there and named it someway doesn´t mean we are any different. God allowed us to be born on this earth and my friend you belong to the earth! Minority? No

Answer 8

I am of mixed heritage: my mother is Indian (dot, not feather) and African (her parents were from the respective countries) and immigrated to the US together. My father came over from Ireland when he was a child. So, I'm basically half black and half white. The town that I grew up in was prodominately white.... the only black people were my relatives. I got called the "n" word all the time by kids, teachers, and random people. I look mixed.... or Hispanic, or Asian, or Native American (a lot of ignorant white people can't tell the difference, I guess). My cousin (who is mixed also) never got called anything! She "passes" as a white person. You can't even tell that she's got a drop of black in her. So, yes, I've felt racial tension. I grew up in Kansas in the eighties (I'm 26 now). The kicker is when I moved to Kansas City, MO, when I was ten years old. I never thought that anyone could be meaner than the white people who called me a "n" for my entire life. Boy, was I ever wrong! ALL (and I mean ALL) of the black kids that I came in contact with from the time that I was ten until I was about fourteen told me over and over again that I was "black" because my mom was black, or I was "white" because my dad was white. Kids would not play with me on the playground because their mommas didn't want them playin' with no half breed. I always felt left out when I was a child because I was a "n" to them, now, I felt left out because I wasn't black enough to play with the black kids! I found friends in the white kids then, because they were living basically the same situation as me.

The black kids (when I was growing up) were brutal. They made fun of me because I talked "kuntry" (country) and because I didn't wear baggy clothes and because I listened to country music.... well, the white kids made fun of me too because of country music (lol)!

It was a really confusing time for me until I came into my own when I was about fifteen. I stopped caring what other people thought of me because I don't live for them, I live for myself. I started listening to music I like (which is rock and goth and metal and very, very little rap), I started dressing the way I wanted to dress (which was Kurt Kobain-inspired grunge with a twist of skater), and I did things that I wanted to do: I was in choir, ran track, played soccer, and was a cheerleader. Not to mention an honor student who was getting college credit her sophomore year of high school. I dated who I wanted to date (which still got me slack all around, but I didn't care).... I started dating guys who were genuine, respectful, nice, and treated me like a queen... they all happened to be white guys. I am now married to a white guy and we have a daughter.

So, yeah, I think I've been hit with all of the racially confusing stuff, stigma, ambiguity, identity confusion, that one could be hit with. You know what? I'm a bigger, better, and more accepting person because of it. Do I want my daughter to go through it? Of course not! Would I go through it again to be where I am today? You better f'in believe it.

I hope this adds some insight to your question.

Answer 9

I am a Native American. My only confusion is where did all of you people come from and why don't you think about going home.

Answer 10

No, this world was made for all men and women..this land is your land and my land...simple as that