What it means to be American: A Quest through Naming, Cultural Pluralism and Identity

When I think of America, I think of diversity, a “melting pot” as it is known. And without looking too far for the diversity within America, I can use myself as a personal example. In my personal tree of life. I'm 1st generation Colombian-American on my father's side of the family and predominately 4th generation Russian with a hint of Polish on my mother's side. Although for most of my life I grew up with my Colombian side, which is the culture I associate with. I grew up eating Colombian food watching Spanish TV shows—which was in part how I learned Spanish in the first place—and embracing among other cultural ways of life such as salsa music and dancing. But the question I always got, especially from Hispanic people, was why do I have this "white" last name?

My last name "Cutler" is my great grandfather’s last name from my mother’s side of the family. The story goes that my grandmother, aware of racial discrimination in America, figured that I would have better opportunities and an easier life, without so many obstacles or discrimination, if I had a "white" last name. And disappointingly, to a certain extent, she was right. And although I’m very appreciative of her acceptance towards my Hispanic culture and side of the family, I didn't have the chance to hear this story of my last name from herself as she had passed away later in my teen years when I found out. The issue of my last name has left me confused. Even though I have had the opportunity to change it, it’s just something I feel hesitant of doing as I’ve had this last name for so long and I’m so attached to it that I feel it would be like changing into a new person.

I've realized not only how a name determines how others in society perceive you, but the way you look does as well. In the Fall 2012 semester I took an art history course. One day I began talking with a classmate. And usually in conversation as you try to get to know the person more, some more impulsive than others, may ask you "where are you from?" And I have always had a problem with that question because, in my experience at least, it implies that you are from somewhere else. In other words, you're not the “typical” American because you look foreign or at better yet because you’re not white. And I wonder if white Americans would get that same question because when my family talks about coworkers at their jobs or random people they come across in their day to day lives, for example, they’ll describe white people as Americans. And so I don’t know if certain people are asking me where I’m from based off the way I look in a demeaning sort of way or if it is out of sincere curiosity. Also, I’m quite hesitant in answering that question as well, as I don't know if I should stay loyal to my family who were born and raised in another country that, physically, I’m not familiar with and say “I’m Colombian” or should I have the guts and say "I’m American?"

Nevertheless, I understood that what the classmate meant was, “what was my ethnic background?” I responded to the question by sating I was Colombian. She looked back at me and said "Ooooh, yes, I knew you were Hispanic because of your accent." The point of the matter is that I don't have an accent. I was born and raised in the United States and have never been out of the country. And English is my first language, so how can I have a Hispanic accent?

But it wouldn’t make a different if I did have an accent. What I have learned is that to be American you don’t have to look or talk a certain way. My family members have lived most of their lives in the U.S., they have worked hard in this country to achieve their goals and live comfortable lives; they pay taxes, and they are contributors to society in one form or another. Do they not have the right to call themselves Americans because they look Hispanic and have an accent?

Also, another problem I have with appearances is that some people associate those appearances with stereotypes. I’ve had people who reacted to my Colombian ethnicity as a negative thing, usually associating Colombian people with drug trafficking of cocaine, Pablo Escobar and terroristic-guerilla groups such as FARC. But all these things don’t dominate the nation or define who its citizens or cultural decedents are.

Despite all these complications, I'm happy to be American. It would be ignorant of me to follow this now clichéd American heroic narrative, of United States standing for freedom and equality for all. And so I know this country hasn't been, and surely isn't, perfect and has done many horrible things throughout its 230 plus years of history. However, it also has some great things to offer as well. Benjamin Franklin once said that “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. [But] [y]ou have to catch it yourself.” That is why I still believe in the American project because this country gives opportunities to make better lives, you just have to go for it.

And I know that there are many people who come to this country who believe in that project as well. I can turn to my family who I believe are a prime example of that. I recently asked my dad that why did he come to this country, and he told me that it was to have a better life. And I asked him if he still believed in that today and he said, “of course.” That he would never have the life he has now if it wasn’t for America, finishing off our conversation with the typical patriotic bumper-sticker catchphrase, “God bless America.”

While my family has become more appreciative of the U.S. for the opportunities it has provided for them, throughout my American experience, I have grown closer, more interested in my Hispanic heritage and wanting to preserve it. Even more so, I'm appreciative of the fact that I have a special ethnic background that makes me different and more complex in a pluralistic kind of manner.

Last spring break I flew out with my girlfriend to Los Angeles. And as we were walking  down Hollywood Boulevard on the walk of fame looking for Jonny Deep, I saw all these stars with big names such as Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Walt Disney, Patrick Swayze, to name a few. But the only one I felt compelled to take a picture of was one star: and that was Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld (also known as Don Francisco). When I was younger I grew up watching this man in Sábado Gigante. I learned Spanish with the help of Don Francisco. And though at some point in my life I stopped watching it, I still watch it today every Saturday with my family. It is like our tradition. It is the only Hispanic show that we watch. Even though I'm watching it less and less because the segments get too repetitive, I feel a connection with that show as I do with my Hispanic heritage.  

There was a time couple months back that Sábado Gigante was promoting products from a German pharmaceutical company called Boehringer Ingelheim. And as Don Francisco is promoting this company he says their slogan as follows:  Nombre Alemán, Corazón Latino, which means "German Name, Latino Heart." And my family and I looked at each other and my girlfriend comments on how that is Don Francisco in reality. Because he has this German name, but at heart many things he has done and is doing, is for the Latino people. And I can relate to that because I may have a "white" last name, but my heart is with my Hispanic heritage. Therefore, part of being American is being diverse. To preserve ones culture at heart if one feels that connection.

This country is filled with so much diversity that it is not hard to find. But we need to maintain cultural preservation as constantly I have observed that many people are forgetting their language, their roots, their traditions, their heritage. That is not to say that American culture is my antithesis. I was born and raised in this country and it is normal for me to adopt certain American ways of life, such as horseback riding, and Amusement parks. I just think it’s important that people preserve their heritage.

So what does it mean to be American for me? It is not based off your name or the way you look. It is to be diverse, feel free to embrace your ethnic culture and preserve it. To accept others and their diversity as well—and even learn about it. It is to be positive and hopeful of a better tomorrow, and most of all chase your dreams. But what it means to be American for me is not a "thing." My identity is not a “thing.” It is all a process. What it means to be American for me right now is probably not going to mean the same thing for me later on in the future. I still have much more to learn, not only what it means to be American, but to learn more about myself. 

Here is a link to my video on Youtube. I would be honored to be part of the e-book project:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-aFmpU1HZ8&feature=youtu.be