Summary of "Two Ways to Belong in America"

"Two Ways to Belong in America" is an essay by Bharati Mukherjee, an Indian-American writer and teacher. In her essay, she talks about the different paths she and her sister took as immigrants in America. It's all about figuring out who you are, fitting in, and the hurdles immigrants face when moving to a new place. The essay isn't just about their lives; it digs into deeper questions about immigration and what it means to really belong in a society with many cultures.

The Struggle for Identity

One big theme in Mukherjee's essay is the identity struggle immigrants go through. She and her sis, Mira, moved to the U.S. back in the '60s. But they kinda split ways when it came to feeling like they belonged there. While Mukherjee grabbed onto her American identity with both hands, Mira held on tight to being Indian and didn't become a U.S. citizen. This difference shows how tricky it can be for immigrants trying to fit into a new country.

Mukherjee's journey of becoming American is a thread throughout the essay. She calls herself a "foreign-born citizen" and talks about the perks she gets as an American. She even says, "I'm an American citizen and she is not." That line hits home about how their experiences are so different and gets you thinking about citizenship—does it really change how you feel about belonging?

The Impact of Immigration Policies

Mukherjee also touches on how immigration policies affect immigrants' lives. She mentions how changes in immigration laws made things tougher for Mira to keep her legal status in the States. It shows how lots of immigrants feel stuck between wanting to belong somewhere but facing policy roadblocks.

She also goes into detail about her own citizenship process, which wasn't exactly a cakewalk. There were lots of forms and red tape involved, showing just how complicated and unfair the system can be. By comparing her smoother path to citizenship with Mira's troubles, Mukherjee points out the unequal struggles that immigrants face.

The Complexity of Belonging

Through her story, Mukherjee highlights how belonging isn't simple in a place like America that's got folks from everywhere. Both she and Mira belong in America but do so differently. Mukherjee argues that real belonging is more than just having papers; it's personal and layered.

Plus, she challenges this idea of one single American identity. America's full of people from all over, so why not celebrate that mix instead of trying to squash it? She puts it well: "America ain't a blanket woven from one thread." This shakes up the usual talk about national identity, pushing us to see and appreciate what different cultures bring to the table.

Conclusion

Wrapping up, "Two Ways to Belong in America" gives us something deep to chew on regarding immigration and what belonging really means. Through sharing her experiences and thoughts, Mukherjee poses some serious questions about identity, citizenship, and immigration rules. Her essay reminds us that belonging isn't one-size-fits-all; it's full of diverse stories and views. For a multicultural place like America, it's key to embrace its diversity fully because there truly are multiple ways "to belong."

References

• Mukherjee, B. (1996). Two Ways to Belong in America.
• Nakamura, L., & Chow-White, P.A., (2011). Race After the Internet.
• Said, E.W., (1978). Orientalism.
• Zhou, M., & Gatewood J.V., (2000). Contemporary Asian America: A Multidisciplinary Reader.
• Kapur S., (2005). Securing Diaspora: The World As Indian Shopping Mall.