Talking points Part Dos

Richard Rodriguez
Aria
In this article I think Rodriguez argues that although there is a need for people to assimilate into society a side effect is that people might lose a sense of culture or individuality. The author assimilated into society and became “American” and learned the language, but at the same time his family lost a sense of unity and there Hispanic roots.
“What would they not do for their children’s ell being? ... IN an instant, they agreed to give up the language (the sounds) that had revealed and accentuated our family’s closeness.” The family had to give up there language so there kids can have opportunities in America. In that time when the author was a child which I would think would be 1970s or so there was a big push towards assimilation and becoming “American” so by learning English the Rodriguez family would fit into there neighborhood, society etc. By doing this though and assimilating the family lost there identities sort of speak and they became distant from each other because of it. In the story as it showed there dinners weren’t the same once they adopted English everyone was quiet all the time and that happy atmosphere was gone.
“But the special feeling of closeness at home was diminished by then. Gone was the desperate, urgent, intense feeling of being at home; …we remained a loving family, but one greatly changed.” In the story the author and his siblings had to assimilate and learn English the nuns thought English should be spoken at home. As a result the family adapted to society and learned English, but there bonds were a little weaker because there native language kept them close, but now English had to be the first language for them. I think this happens a lot of times with many families that come over here. They have to learn English or they won’t succeed in jobs, school etc, and as a result they lose a sense of identity and there culture.
Although the story was short I thought it was very interesting. The story shows how in America we push for people to become part of society and want this whole melting pot, but in essence it makes people lose there heritage, language or identity. I don’t think this article really relates to other text we have read so far. Most of the other text we have read talked about white privilege and to address the issue and not be afraid to use the words that we fear. This could relate to some of the other text maybe it is saying that in America we put a strong push for immigrants to become white so they become successful I don’t know.