In Becoming Mexican American, George Sanchez states, "...the deportation and repatriation campaigns launched against Mexicans in Los Angeles profoundly disrupted the cultural centeredness of the community. Los Angeles lost one-third of its Mexican residents, and those who remained were made keenly aware of the fragility of their social position" (12). This particular quote forced me to reflect on how often people of color's identities as Americans are put into question, and the only conclusion I could come up with is that it happens way, way too often.
I have always wondered why people of color are always referred to as Latino American, or African American, or Asian American. Yet those who are white are simply just called American. These labels have always seemed unfair, seemingly only used to make Americans of color feel as though they are different. Those one word distinctions we make prove that people of color will never be able to truly be Americans; thus, their identities will always be in question. This may seem like a trivial issue, but perhaps it seems that way because the practice of it has become so normalized.
I have always wondered why people of color are always referred to as Latino American, or African American, or Asian American. Yet those who are white are simply just called American. These labels have always seemed unfair, seemingly only used to make Americans of color feel as though they are different. Those one word distinctions we make prove that people of color will never be able to truly be Americans; thus, their identities will always be in question. This may seem like a trivial issue, but perhaps it seems that way because the practice of it has become so normalized.