Apolinaria Lorenzana Analysis
Though sometimes ignored in American history classes, America is built upon stolen land—taken by force from natives and Mexicanos alike. Almost unsurprisingly, I never knew of the true story behind the Alamo or the United States’ expansion westward; I was completely ignorant to the plight faced by the Mexicanos that previously occupied the land of what is now known as Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. Out of all the people outlined, Apolinaria Lorenzana’s story was the most prominent; she, like many other Mexicanos, had her own rightful land taken from her. Left in the ashes of her former prosperity and in the depths of poverty, Lorenzana’s anger at the Anglo-Americans is clear; at the same time, her anger defines what many other
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Therefore, with confidence, I can say that America is neither a “melting pot” nor a “mosaic.” Though many different cultures have flocked to America, America’s intolerance for diversity is obvious; someone who is culturally different will never be able to walk down an American street without stares. More appalling, however, is the fact that those who are culturally different will face job discrimination if they choose to express their identity instead of cover it. Even on my own campus, diversity is seen as unimportant, as our diversity funding is stripped from underneath us. America will never be a melting pot nor a mosaic until it can learn to accept its own diversity, allowing it to flourish instead of killing it off on its arrival. In today’s political climate, it would make me incredibly happy to see America open its arms to other cultures instead of attempting to shut them out completely. Again, it seems as if history is repeating itself as we travel down a path of a non-inclusive America, disregarding the plight of cultural minorities for the majority’s “gain,” forgetting the importance of multiculturalism and marching towards
Therefore, with confidence, I can say that America is neither a “melting pot” nor a “mosaic.” Though many different cultures have flocked to America, America’s intolerance for diversity is obvious; someone who is culturally different will never be able to walk down an American street without stares. More appalling, however, is the fact that those who are culturally different will face job discrimination if they choose to express their identity instead of cover it. Even on my own campus, diversity is seen as unimportant, as our diversity funding is stripped from underneath us. America will never be a melting pot nor a mosaic until it can learn to accept its own diversity, allowing it to flourish instead of killing it off on its arrival. In today’s political climate, it would make me incredibly happy to see America open its arms to other cultures instead of attempting to shut them out completely. Again, it seems as if history is repeating itself as we travel down a path of a non-inclusive America, disregarding the plight of cultural minorities for the majority’s “gain,” forgetting the importance of multiculturalism and marching towards