Judith Ortiz Cofer: Racism And Discrimination

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Allison Kelman Professor Sheila Austin Literary Genres 21 January 2014 Discrimination Hundreds of thousands of immigrants traveled to America in search for a better life. I often wonder what expectations they had as they stepped of their boats. What was the life they assumed they’d have compared to the life they found? Since the beginning of time, Caucasians seemed to be unwelcoming and discriminatory. The racism and discrimination demonstrated by American’s contributed directly to the life styles of the immigrants coming to America. Starting with the Native Americans, the English raided their land and thought of the Natives as ignorant compared to themselves. Again, of course, with the African Americans who began as property before…show more content…
Unlike Cisneros, Cofer belonged to a family where money was not a starving issue. Cofer’s father was a member of the United States Navy and his Navy checks provided financial security for his family. Cofer’s father struggled to find housing suitable for him and his family but had to settle for a small apartment in a neighborhood filled with Latinos. It was every immigrant’s mission to provide a better life for their families and themselves, but most of the time your nationality predetermined both your job and home life. Cisneros’ father was able to find a job and a tiny apartment for him, his wife and his seven children. Cofer’s father could afford more than the tiny rental that they occupied. Cofer’s family was rich amongst the others in their building. “The only thing his money could not buy us was a place to live away from the barrio” (Silent Dancing). No matter the money Cofer’s father might have had, because they were Puerto Rican, no white American landlord would let them rent a more suitable apartment. Although many families like Cisneros and Cofer may have made sacrifices and been victims of racism, their journey bettered their future generations. The America today prides itself on its diversity amongst citizens. If immigrant families stopped migrating or returned to their home countries, this country would not be the melting pot of opportunity that it has become. They overcame the discrimination and created a better country for

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