Between Two Languages and Two Lives

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Unable to Run from Oneself
The Status of an Undocumented Youth as an Opportunity for Growth
Advocacy and Further Struggle
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The problem of immigration has been rather burning in the USA for decades as while the country is seen as a melting pot, excessive tension is becoming apparent in American society. Although immigrants have made this country great, they seemed to be unwelcomed these days. The negative attitude is specifically pronounced with undocumented immigrants who do not have legal status. These people feel vulnerable and oppressed in diverse areas and find their position much worse as compared to the experiences of legal aliens (Cobb et al. 167). Dan-el Padilla Peralta reveals these concerns in his famous Undocumented, where he claims to be “permanently suspended between languages” as he has to adapt to the new environment under complicated circumstances (74). The idea that something bad can happen hardly ever leaves the minds of these people, who are in fear of being deported or abused. These people have to live in the realm of two (or even more) cultures and find their way into American society.

Unable to Run from Oneself

The book by Dan-el Padilla Peralta shows that irrespective of attempts to become a part of one world, it is impossible to escape from oneself for an immigrant. The author claims that education was the bridge to a new environment and new opportunities. He utilized these options to succeed and become a respected member of society, although remaining a half-legal resident. The Dominican boy displayed a great zeal to study and performed outstandingly. He seemed to embrace the Anglo-Saxon paradigm of the majority, but he remained knowledgeable and appreciative of the cultural heritage that he truly cherished. From the first pages of his book, the author explained that he lived in two different worlds, with one universe being bright and rich and the other being impoverished and depressing (Padilla Peralta 2). He felt the difference, which made him manage carefully “which aspects” of himself to “present to the people around” (Padilla Peralta 4). He tried to fit in and be accepted in the larger community that was so different from the one he lived in.

In many cases, immigrants choose to assimilate completely and even alienate themselves from their heritage to forget all the negative aspects of their immigrant existence. Nevertheless, Padilla Peralta managed to “celebrate the variety and contradictions that made up” his life (4). He was grateful to his mother and his numerous relatives for their support that gave strength to him. Notably, recent research shows that immigrants are more likely to succeed in life if they have social and institutional support (Autin et al. 605). Although he was not very religious, he still benefited from attending a Catholic church and socializing with other boys in that environment (Padilla Peralta 119). The writer describes his neighborhood and his immigrant life rather negatively, but he still remains a Dominican boy with the corresponding worldview.

The Status of an Undocumented Youth as an Opportunity for Growth

It is possible to assume that his ability to remember his roots made him competitive. Padilla Peralta understood his position very clearly and was grateful for an opportunity to grow. His educational path was his path to his success as his hard work earned him the corresponding reputation. He was a Hispanic boy with fears of being deported and determined to pursue his academic goals. He could hardly forget about his heritage in the environment of a private school where privileged white students often had a biased and even racist attitude towards people like him (Padilla Peralta 216). Perhaps, this contraposition between his neighborhood and the wealth and sometimes moral dirt of the well-of majority made him feel reluctant to fully assimilate. He took courage and made his personal coming out as an undocumented youth to show all (and himself) that he was proud of what he was and what he could become.

Undocumented and Borderlands

At that, the status of the immigrant can be complicated by other factors that are revealed in Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldúa. Being an immigrant Chicana lesbian, Anzaldua had to face even more obstacles in her life. Her identity, gender, and her sexuality were rejected by the majority, and the girl had to struggle for her place in society (Anzaldúa 80). Trying to understand who she was and what her place could be was associated with various negative experiences, but the author also found the strength and empowerment in her heritage.

These two books reveal two different but, at the same time, similar stories of being rejected and finding a way to become accepted. It is noteworthy that education plays an important role in both stories as the authors use their creativity to tell their stories and draw other people’s attention to the problem. Both books unveil real-life experiences and suggest possible solutions as seen from an immigrant’s perspective.

Advocacy and Further Struggle

One of the distinctive features of the book by Padilla Peralta is the author’s focus on the immigrant community and its prospects within a larger American society. The author tries to show the challenges immigrants face, but he also pays a lot of attention to making visible the contribution of these people (Padilla Peralta 213). The writer advocates for a more active integration of these people, which can make American society stronger and more prosperous. Being undocumented makes immigrant youth feel isolated and rejected, which is often true. Not all minority people find the courage and power to address the challenges they face, and they become prone to engaging in criminal activity.

Padilla Peralta also understood that political changes were needed to make the life of minorities less complicated. The author saw that initiatives by Clinton and Bush administrations could have a positive effect on American society through the inclusion of thousands of undocumented immigrants (Padilla Peralta 240). These individuals could achieve high results and contribute to the growth of the country. The author reveals his distress and sadness regarding the way such incentives were accepted by the majority. The gap between immigrants and the mainstream population was daunting and discouraging. At that, the writer manages to continue his fight by making a larger community aware of the gap and ways to bridge it.

Conclusion

On balance, it is possible to emphasize that Padilla Peralta’s story shows that undocumented immigrants have to face numerous challenges but manage to become successful and contribute to the development of society. Padilla Peralta was a poor Dominican immigrant with limited prospects, but he became a successful professor at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. The fact that he had status issues even being in such a high position unveils the complexity and weaknesses of the system. The book can become an important source of inspiration for immigrants and policymakers who could find ways to come together and develop proper solutions. Padilla Peralta is an illustration of the way immigrants are excluded from society even after a long and fruitful struggle and valuable input into the overall growth of the community.

References

Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 2012.

Autin, Kelsey L., et al. “Career Development Among Undocumented Immigrant Young Adults: A Psychology of Working Perspective.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, vol. 65, no. 5, 2018, pp. 605-617.

Cobb, Cory L., et al. “Perceptions of Legal Status: Associations With Psychosocial Experiences Among Undocumented Latino/A Immigrants.”. Journal of Counseling Psychology, vol. 64, no. 2, 2017, pp. 167-178.

Padilla Peralta, Dan-el. Undocumented: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League. Penguin Press, 2016.

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