American citizenship in black and white

After getting my Citizenship certificate, I joined the leagues of Albert Einstein, Madeleine Albright, Joseph Pulitzer, Ang Lee, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. For one reason or other, they left their country and came to the United States to live the grand life that awaited them. Hopeful scientists, politicians, writers, and artists do the same thing every day. As they take the steps of the immigration process, their dreams take shape, mature, and wait to see the light of day.

Immigrants are not necessarily expecting that greatness will come with their citizenship. The ‘American Dream’ takes different shapes and sizes for every newcomer: some want economic opportunities; many seek political freedom or religious liberty; others want a peaceful life. Despite its many pitfalls, United States of America is still the land of opportunities. The place where many dreams become true.

Along the journey towards my own dream, I have seen many faces of the life in the US: underpaid workers who struggle to put food in their family’s table, families broken up by cultural differences, entrepreneurs accomplishing what they could not dream of doing in their countries, and millionaires who arrived to the States with empty pockets. Many gave up their social status, but have found comfort in the little they find here. A few find success in their new lives, and several fail to see their dream come true.  

Another hurdle arises when children question the parents’ decision of leaving their country of origin. As a school teacher, I have heard a fair share of nagging and complaining about learning a new language, living in a big city, and growing up far away from loved family. Even though many of my students were born here, they consider themselves Mexican, and dream of the day when they can finally go back home. Most immigrants look for job opportunities in big cities, and their children don’t have any other option but joining the underrated and oftentimes under performing urban school closest to them.   

When my 13 year old nephew learned that my mom and I became American citizens, he lamented that our new country was in decline. After some questioning, he cited political corruption and gun violence as the main triggers in the downfall. I oftentimes consider the implications of that statement, that has been discussed in almost every magazine during the last 5 years. It is easy to see how people would agree with my nephew’s statement. Just go through the news reports about government’s espionage, the weak economy, gun violence, health costs, and poor ratings in education.

However, the greatness of this country is such that it can be accurately portrayed in hundreds of ways. While corruption raises, so do charitable donations. As public education stumbles, American universities lead research in several fields; gun fatalities increase, but street crime rates are lower than ever. This is a country of many faces. Proud Americans show off their foreign heritage without shame or conflict of identity. Second generations are historically better off than their ancestors. There has always been a way out of the issues that this country faces today. 

People from 29 countries became citizens the same day I did. We all know the facts, but we hope for a better future. We get the message: if we work hard, we might achieve the dream.
I am ready to fully live the life that awaits me.