During my final year of university, an unexpected conversation unfolded when I decided to stay after class with my Spanish professor, a knowledgeable Latinx woman. My passion for the Spanish language blossomed after losing my middle school teacher to cancer, and my fascination continued as I delved into the cultures tied to it. My professor was well-traveled and thrilled to engage with students who showed genuine interest. As a self-proclaimed nerd, I often lingered after class to learn more about her experiences.
On this particular day, our casual chat turned into a discussion about our family backgrounds. After she shared her heritage, she asked about mine and how long my family had been in the United States. I initially thought she was joking, and when my awkward smile didn’t convey my disbelief, I informed her that my family had been here for centuries. Her reaction revealed her skepticism; I sensed she couldn’t fathom that someone who wasn’t white could have deep roots in American history.
The conversation continued longer than I’d have preferred. I struggled to express the truth: as a Black woman, my family’s history in America is intrinsically linked to the painful legacy of slavery. My ancestors were forced to this land, yet they have been here for centuries.
It was an uncomfortable moment. Surely, an educator like her should have understood the historical impact of slavery on America’s racial landscape. If she lacked a foundational awareness of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its implications, it was unlikely she grasped the realities of racism and anti-Blackness. My hope for her awareness was dashed.
While she didn’t intend to offend me, the conversation highlighted a more significant issue: the widespread belief that non-white individuals cannot be considered American by birthright. This perspective is reinforced daily, as we witness individuals with malicious intent attempting to define nationality based on skin color. This belief is not only racist but also fundamentally flawed.
When I reflect on how racism and nationalism are wielded to marginalize others, I think of current attitudes towards immigration and legislation, such as Arizona’s SB 1070, which thankfully lost its strength. The misconception that one can “look American” or “look undocumented” stems from an education system that often presents a whitewashed version of history. Many of us were led to believe that the worthiest figures in our past were white, with brief mentions of people of color thrown in as an afterthought.
This skewed education fosters a narrative that equates whiteness with acceptable citizenship. The painful truth is ignored—the land was taken through acts of genocide, yet the prevailing narrative insists that only whiteness qualifies one for belonging.
Racist sentiments abound online, with individuals demanding that those who don’t meet their narrow standards of citizenship, often based on race or language, “go back to their country.” The diversity among those who perpetuate these harmful ideologies is striking, yet the underlying message remains consistent.
Until society acknowledges that white individuals are not the sole heirs to the legacy of American citizenship, we will continue to witness hate crimes and emotional harm. Disturbingly, even some people of color take on the role of gatekeepers to white supremacy, endorsing the mistreatment of both documented and undocumented individuals. I reject such views, whether from family or strangers.
The reality is that land ownership is a myth; the earth belongs to all of us to share. If we can unite in our understanding, this world will endure long after we are gone. Citizenship should not dictate one’s right to traverse arbitrary borders. My conviction is firm: America belongs to everyone, and no one can be told to return to a home they already inhabit.
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In summary, the belief that American citizenship is exclusive to white individuals perpetuates racism and divisions in our society. Acknowledging diverse histories and experiences is crucial for fostering understanding and acceptance among all who call this land home.