Today I became a US citizen, and as I sat among other 1,149 immigrants at San Francisco’s Masonic Center, I choked up in emotion thinking about what being in America has meant to me from the day I first came as a “friendship ambassador” through the CASS program. I also remembered the inspiring words of John Smith, former Dean of International Affairs at Hocking College, when addressing the class of 1996 in our commencement ceremony, reminding us that we were “citizens of the world”. No other words have ringed so true in my heart since because that’s exactly how I felt.
Coming to this country at age 18 meant not only that I had to deal with a cultural shock, but also that my thought process and values would forever be changed. As Gloria Stephan once put it speaking of her experience as a Cuban-American, I became too American for Dominicans and too Dominican for Americans. Biculturalism has long been my blessing and my curse. Bound to one land by heart, to another by ideals. Today I get to be an American citizen and I continue to be a Dominican citizen. This is a truly happy day because this means that I can vote, can be part of a jury and can exercise my rights in both countries without fear of exclusion. This means I am not bound to stay or leave and this, in turn means I’m FREE. Because we only have the boundaries we impose on ourselves, today I’ve expanded mine. A citizen of the world indeed, and America and Quisqueya. To those who have shared my dreams and supported me through the years: thank you, especially you Chane.
Related post: EVICTED are those who have to leave home to live in another culture.
Click on picture to see more from today.
Hehe, how did you come so far?