The Immigrant's Fate is Everyone's

The Immigrant's Fate is Everyone's

In this short essay, featured in Time's Reasons to Celebrate America special issue, the writer Nguyen asserts the power of choice in the shaping of an American identity. He writes: I am an immigrant. I am also a human being, an American, a Vietnamese, an Asian and a refugee. I do not have to choose among these identities, despite those who would insist that I do. On one end of the spectrum, well-meaning people who invoke colorblindness–the only affliction Americans wish on themselves–argue that we are all just human. On the other end of the spectrum, racists believe that a nation should be defined by only one color. To have no color or to have only one color! When given just two choices, know that it’s a trick. Even my 3-year-old son understands this. When I ask him whether he will grow up to be Batman or a fireman, he says, “Batman and a fireman!” And why not?

Identity

Viet Thanh Nguyen

Time, Inc.

June 30, 2016

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