Exploring Identity and Displacement in Executive Order 9066 and Mericans

Identity and displacement are profound themes that resonate deeply within the narratives of human experience. In the context of American history, Executive Order 9066 and the short story "Mericans" by Sandra Cisneros provide poignant explorations of these themes through their depictions of Japanese-American internment during World War II and the experiences of a young Mexican-American girl in a border town. Both works reveal how identity is shaped by social, cultural, and political forces, leading to feelings of alienation and loss.

Historical Context: Executive Order 9066

Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, allowing for the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. This act was rooted in wartime hysteria following the attack on Pearl Harbor and reflected deep-seated racial prejudices against individuals of Japanese descent. The internment camps were not only physical spaces where individuals lost their homes but also symbolic representations of identity displacement.

The impact on identity was multifaceted. Many Japanese Americans faced a profound crisis as they navigated between their American citizenship and their racial heritage. The internment stripped them of their rights, forcing them to confront questions about loyalty, belonging, and self-worth. As families were uprooted from their communities, they experienced not only physical dislocation but also emotional upheaval—a severing from their cultural roots that had defined them.

Identity in "Mericans"

"Mericans," a short story by Sandra Cisneros included in her collection "Woman Hollering Creek," provides another lens through which to examine identity amidst displacement. The narrative follows a young girl who grapples with her bicultural identity while visiting her grandmother in Mexico. Unlike the overt political displacement seen in Executive Order 9066, Cisneros' work subtly explores cultural dislocation through personal experiences.

The protagonist embodies a duality; she is both Mexican (inheritably tied to her family's roots) and American (shaped by her upbringing). This tension manifests in various ways throughout the story as she navigates language barriers, cultural expectations, and societal perceptions. For instance:

• Cultural Confusion: The protagonist often feels out of place in both worlds—too American for Mexico yet too Mexican for America.
• Language Barrier: The struggle with language reflects deeper issues around identity; it highlights how language serves as both a connector to culture and an isolator when one feels inadequate.
• Family Dynamics: Relationships with family members reveal differing attitudes toward cultural heritage; some embrace it while others reject or diminish its importance.

The Intersection of Identity and Displacement

The characters’ experiences in both texts underscore how displacement affects personal identity on multiple levels—socially, culturally, emotionally—and leads to complex negotiations between different facets of selfhood. In Executive Order 9066, displaced Japanese Americans grapple with externally imposed identities as 'enemy aliens' despite being loyal citizens; this conflict generates internalized feelings of shame and confusion about belonging.

Conversely, Cisneros' protagonist wrestles with internal conflicts shaped by external societal expectations rather than outright oppression. While not facing legal constraints like those depicted in Executive Order 9066, she nonetheless feels pressure from family traditions alongside modern American values that can create feelings of inadequacy or loss regarding one's heritage.

Coping Mechanisms: Resilience Through Storytelling

A significant theme connecting both works is resilience—a vital coping mechanism employed by characters facing dislocation from their identities. In “Mericans,” storytelling serves as an avenue for connection across generations—the protagonist's narrative voice channels her struggles into understanding who she is amidst conflicting cultures.
Similarly,
Japanese Americans used storytelling during internment to preserve cultural identities through art forms such as poetry or traditional crafts even under dire circumstances.
These acts became essential tools for reclaiming agency over one’s narrative while fostering community bonds among those similarly affected by trauma.

Conclusion: A Call for Understanding

The exploration of identity through lenses such as Executive Order 9066 and "Mericans" compels readers to reflect on broader socio-political contexts impacting marginalized groups today. Both narratives highlight how historical events shape individual identities profoundly while emphasizing resilience amid adversity.
By acknowledging these stories—both painful yet empowering—we foster empathy toward those experiencing similar challenges today along lines drawn not just geographically but culturally too—inviting us all into dialogue about shared humanity beyond borders or backgrounds we might perceive divide us!

References

• Cisneros, Sandra. *Woman Hollering Creek*. Vintage Contemporaries: New York City.
• Bartlett Jr., James M., & Kubo Saito S., eds., *Asian American History*: An Introduction & Resource Guide/Reference Sourcebook Rethinking Multiculturalism Routledge LLC: New York City (2020).
• Tateishi Kenji & Tetsuden Kashima . *A Dream Deferred* : Historical Perspectives on Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders Facing Displacement/Internment During WWII . University Press (2017).