Poem Essay "Immigrants" by Pat Mora

                                                         "Immigrants" by Pat Mora

       I have recently read the poem "Immigrants" by Pat Mora.  In the poem "Immigrants", Mora depicts a graphic tale of how immigrant parents wanted so badly for their children to fit in to the American culture. The parents cloak their family in the American pop culture traditions so they can keep their true heritage identities incognito.

       Mora illustrates the parents' desire for the children to be Americans right from the beginning. The very first example to prove the parents desire' is"wrap their babies in the American Flag" ( Mora 1). Another piece of evidence is that the parents give the children all American names," name them Bill and Daisy" (Mora 3). The children are also given traditional American toys to play with "blonde dolls that blink blue eyes" (Mora 4-5) and "football and tiny cleats before baby can even walk" (Mora 5-6).


       While reading the poem, I felt the parents sense of fear and guilt of their heritage and culture.  The parents whisper quietly in their native tongue "whisper in Spanish and Polish when babies sleep" (Mora 9-10). The parents go even farther with "Americanizing" the children by feeding them foods that they may not even like as babies, "mashed hot dogs and apple pie" ( Mora 2) as to thoroughly keep any of their own true culture away from their babies mouths.


      The parents in the poem are fearful that society will not accept their children.  Why would they be so afraid of raising their children naturally with their own culture and heritage?  Was Mora reflecting on stories told to her by immigrants, or was she a product of this poem?  Her heritage hidden in the dark from her.  Mora(12-13)" Will they like our boy, our girl?" (Mora 13-14) "Our fine American boy, our fine American girl?" This poem made me think about how I would feel moving to a new country with a baby.  How would I feel? Would I raise my child in the culture I was surrounded by?  Would I be afraid to speak my native English.  This must have been very difficult for immigrants.  Coming to America, wanting to be American and what they are willing to sacrifice, what are they willing to do to fit in?


     In conclusion, this poem reflects the authors view of how some immigrant parents raised their children to be embraced as true Americans and to shun their true heritage identities, to hide them in the dark out of fear of not being accepted.