2024-09-14T02-04-08Z

The interview discusses the concept of American identity and its personal significance. The interviewee believes that America is a place for different people to seek something greater, but personally, America doesn't hold much meaning beyond being the country she lives in. She feels most American when watching the Olympics, as it represents a place where people from different backgrounds come together. On the other hand, she feels the least American when she is at church, as the hyper-religious and patriotic atmosphere makes her feel different. Traveling within the US has made her realize the diversity and historical significance of different regions. Overall, she believes that America is defined by freedom and the ability to believe what one wants. Okay, hi, I'm Khaleed and I'm here with Katie. Just before we start, I just want to consent to record this conversation and utilize it for my history project and if that's okay. Yeah, what are you going to be doing with this information? I'm just going to be using it for my history project and sharing it with the doctor community. Okay, that sounds good to me. Okay, so let's just get right into it. So this interview is going to just kind of cover American identity and your opinions on that, both broadly and in a personal sense. So, first question, let's start with, what does America mean to you? To me, let's see, I don't really know if America means one particular thing to me. Like, I've never, honestly before this class, I don't think I've ever really thought about it that way. Like, I've never been around a group of people where America is like, oh, like, we love America, like, we are American. So I think, I mean, like, growing up, I think now I'd say that, like, the question is, what does America mean to you, right? I think it means it's a place for, like, lots of different people to, like, seek something greater. It's, I mean, it's a country where people live. Like, I honestly, when I think of something that, like, means something to me, I don't think of my nationality. I don't think of the country I'm from. I think of, like, the values that I have and, like, the people I surround myself with. So I don't, I don't think to me America, like, means all that much. I mean, I know that other people, it's a really big symbol of, like, freedom and hope and all these things that, I think to me, it just, it's where I'm from. It's, like, the country that I live in. But, I mean, beyond that, yeah, that's what America means to me. And so you mentioned, like, kind of how you value, kind of, your beliefs and your, all that above, like, your nationality, but just, like, to follow up, like, would you say that at all, like, where you live, like, America has, you know, helped shape those identities, though, or helped shape those values? Yeah, I definitely think so. I mean, the beauty of America is that there's all different kinds of people. Like, we're not in, like, a place where you can, like, practice one religion and there's only one, like, ethnic group of people. So I think being in America led me to have the values that I have today. Like, all, like, my, what was the question? Just kind of, do you think America has shaped your values? Oh, yeah, yeah. So, I mean, I think I grew up, I grew up Christian, so I think a lot of those values make me who I am. And because, I mean, America was founded on, like, because people wanted freedom of religion and they wanted to practice Christianity, so I definitely think that has influenced how I view the world. And also, like, a lot of my friends are, like, from all over the world, and, like, I've kind of taken, like, bits and pieces of, like, what they value and kind of, like, helped mold that into myself as well. So, like, kind of on a more broader, on a broader scale, like, how would you define American identity? I think it's so vastly different. I don't think there's one thing you can say that would be, like, oh, like, this is how Americans are. Like, the only thing that defines American identity is that, like, we are American citizens, right? So, like, I think being, doing certain things and holding certain values don't make you any more or less American, other than the fact that, like, you want freedom. Like, I honestly think, like, freedom is the most, what was the question? How would you define American identity? Oh, yeah. Okay, yeah. I think, honestly, like, I would define American identity as just being free. Like, you're free to believe what you want. Like, we're supposed to have freedom of speech. Like, everyone is so different that I think that's one of the biggest things that, like, makes us all nice. Okay. And then back, like, on a personal level, for you personally, like, when do you feel most American? I'm really so honest. I feel most American when I'm watching the Olympics. Like, I don't, like I said before, I don't really think too much about, like, my identity as an American. Like, I've always, oh, my God, there's an eyelash in my eye. Hold on. I've always lived in America, so I've never really had to think about, oh, like, these people aren't American. I am, so that makes me different. Or, like, I've never been, like, I don't know. I just, I think that, like, seeing, like, something like the Olympics, like a worldwide competition where there's, like, all these different types of people and then there's, like, the place where you're from, that makes me feel, which is kind of silly, like, makes me feel, like, the most patriotic. Because I'm like, oh, I have people to root for. Like, these people may not be exactly the same as me, but, like, we're from the same place, like, and that's kind of what makes me feel like that. Patriotism. Yeah. Okay. And then, like, just going off that, when do you feel the least American? I'm trying to think if there's any specific times of when I do feel American. A lot of the times, I think I don't feel very American when I'm at church. Well, like, because there's, I don't know, there's a lot of white people and they all kind of have similar backgrounds of, like, being, like, hyper-religious and they're very, like, patriotic, and I just feel like I don't. So, in those moments, do you feel disassociated from that identity? I don't think I disassociate from my identity, but I think I, like, it makes it more clear that, like, there is a difference between, like, my experience as an American and, like, somebody who, like, oh, like, you have an American flag outside your house, like, you actually celebrate Fourth of July, like, all this stuff. I, like, my family, the way that I was raised, like, we don't really do a lot of that stuff, so I don't think I felt, like, like, oh, like, I'm not American, but I felt, like, really different, and I'm, like, oh, like, I don't perceive America the way, like, a typical, like, patriotic white American would. Okay. Yeah. And the next question. What are some of your favorite or most important stories that you think have been, like, influential to your perspective on America, in, like, in a historical sense? Historical sense? I know, over the summer, my grandma was actually, I don't know, she gave up, like, this family war that we had. I don't know how she knows it. Actually, can we scratch that question? Okay. I'd rather do, okay, what have you learned about America from your travels across the U.S. or the world? Across the world? Or the world. Um. Except Mexico. I've never been to Mexico. I, honestly, I haven't, I'm, I haven't done that much, like, international traveling. I've been to Costa Rica, and that's, like, it. Um, so, that didn't really shape my understanding of America, but, like, I mean, within the country, especially because over the summer, I was on, like, I was, I was in, I was in Georgia, and a few summers ago, I went to D.C., and, honestly, I think it's just, like, a very different people group. Because, like, in California, like, obviously, it's, like, more liberal, and, like, where I'm from, there's a lot of, there's a lot of Mexicans, and there's a lot of Asians, and that's just, like, what I get used to, like, that's what I, and, like, white people, you know, and, like, on the East Coast, I see a lot more black people. I don't see as many Mexicans. Like, I see a lot of black people, and I see a lot of white people, and, like, wait, what was the question? Can you scratch that for me? Um, like, what have you learned about America from your travels across the U.S. and the world? Well, I just, I, okay, I feel like in the West Coast, we learn about, like, Californians, and we learn about, like, the gold rush, and, like, blah, blah, blah. But, like, on the East Coast, I just want to check my computer. I'm sorry. I haven't really, can we do this question? Because I don't have a good answer for this one. Just pick something along the lines. What have I learned about America? Well, I think you were talking about, like, how, just the demographic change from one place to another, and I think that can be really meaningful to how you understand America. Well, yeah, I mean, I think, I mean, I've gone, I've never had this, like, idea of America in my head, and I think going to these other places, and also, like, I was able to see, like, historical things. In D.C., like, it's the capital of the nation, so we see a lot of, like, historical things. I went to the statue of Abe Lincoln, and, like, I saw, like, the Capitol building. And, like, in Georgia, like, it looks different. Like, it looks like it's more historical than California, because it's also, like, older. And, like, I think it just makes me, like, kind of acknowledge American history more, but then it also makes me kind of, like, acknowledge, like, the struggles that people went through. Because in Georgia, I was talking with my uncle, and he was, like, telling me about, like, our family history of, like, slavery in Georgia. And, like, I just think, like, I don't think about that in California, because, like, that doesn't, like, it's not part of your day-to-day life. But I think seeing other parts of the country just makes me realize, like, just, like, how much, like, history affects us today. I don't know. And then, okay, just sort of the last question. I just wanted to follow up on an earlier answer where you were talking about how you feel least American when you're around Americans who are, like, more American than you. And so kind of just to go off that, like, as a follow-up question, like, how have you, if you have, like, seen yourself represented in the media? And, like, how has that shaped, like... Sorry, scratch that last part. But, yeah, just going back on that last question, how do you feel, like, your identity is portrayed in American, like, politics, media, history? And how do you think that's shaped you and affected you? Oh, my identity? Well, I think one big thing is that I'm not too certain in my identity. Like, I don't... Like, obviously, like, I'm black and Mexican, and I'm a woman. But I... A lot of the times when I see, like, other black people, like, I don't really, like... Often I don't identify with it, but I can't really, like, resonate and, like, relate to their experience as much. Like, I can relate to, like, oh, people, like, look at you and, like, say things or, like, think things. And, like, I can relate to that. But, like, the actual black experience of, like, being with family and, like, eating certain types of food and, like, watching stuff and watching certain types of movies and, like, listening to these songs, like, I can't relate to that. And the same with, like, being Mexican. Like, I wasn't, like... So, just to clarify, that's the representation you're seeing in the media? Exactly. Like, the same thing with being Mexican. Like, I wasn't raised by my black family. I also wasn't raised by my Mexican family either. So, like, I can't relate to speaking Spanish. Like, I don't eat, like, the types of food that they eat. Like, I don't really eat meat, like, that much in general. You know what I mean? And so, I think when I see these people, like, on screen or, like, in politics and all these things, like, I don't... I hardly think... I don't think I've hardly ever looked at someone and been like, oh, that's me. Like, I can see myself represented through that. Because, like, I've had such a unique experience. Like, you've met my mom. Like, I don't... There's no one... I don't think there's anyone quite like her. And, like, my dad is, like... They're their own people. And I, like... I don't know what the question is. Just, like, how have you seen yourself represented in, like, your identity in the media and in politics? And, like, how has that affected you? I think, like, from a cultural level, I've never really been able to, like, look at somebody else. No, yeah. Like, I've never, like, looked at somebody else and been like, that's me. But for other things, like, my hair, for instance. Like, my hair, I think, is a big part of my identity. Like, when I was little, like, I don't think I've really met anyone with hair like that. Like, I genuinely didn't know that white people could have curly hair until, like, eighth grade. Like, I... Where I, like, was raised, like, literally everybody had, like, straight hair or, like, basically straight hair. So, like, that became a big, like, defining part of, like, myself. And, like, learning how to do my hair and, like, all that stuff, that is important. So, like, when I see people on screen with curly hair, which is very rare. Like, a lot of time, like, even Kamala Harris. Like, Kamala Harris up there, and she has her... Not so fresh. She doesn't blow out. She's a round brush. But when you get... Like, a lot of time, like, when you see, like, black or mixed people, like, they don't have their hair. And so I think when I see, like, people with curly hair on screen, like, I think that's kind of why. But that hasn't really affected my identity as an American, I don't think. It just makes me feel more like, oh, like, this gives me someone to look up to type of situation. But I don't think... So, I mean, sometimes I feel blue. Like, when I was in elementary school, people would be like, oh, like, is that your real hair? And I'd be like, yeah. And they'd be like, no, you're lying. Like, but that would just make me feel weird in the sense that, like, why are you telling me that I'm lying? You know? But it never really made me unsure of my, like, national... Like, my nationality. But that's just what you're asking. Okay. Yeah. And then just to even follow up on that, like, in a broader sense, like, could you comment on, like, how do you think representation in the media affects people in general? Yeah. I think it's... I mean, I really think it is so often, but I do think it's really important. But one thing that I think is so important that sometimes I don't think the media gets right is, like, we need to start representing, like, people of color and, like, minorities as just people and not their, like, surface-level identity. And so, like, a lot of the time... Like, I think, like, slowly it's getting better. But, like, you'll see, like, a black person on screen and they're, like, the fun, like, comic relief. And it's like, oh, well, they're black, but what else, you know? And so I think... I mean, everyone has their opinions on, like, what Disney is doing with, like, oh, like, we're going to take this and, like, put a person of color as, like, the lead when originally they're white. But I think there's, like, however you feel about that, like, that doesn't really matter. But, like, there's something important about that because you're taking these characters that are already, like, three-dimensional and they're, like, well-rounded. But you're putting them on the face of a person of color. Like, for example, like, I didn't even watch the Little Mermaid movie. But, like, you know, like, Ariel, she's... I've actually never watched the cartoon either, so this is a bad example. Like, let's pretend I know what I'm talking about, right? So, like, Ariel is this character and we know her. And, like, little girls grow up watching her. They relate to her, like, oh, well, I don't know, like, they may not relate to her. But they see her as this character. And then you put, like, the face of a black woman on her. And instead of being, like, like, if we're living in a perfect world and, like, people weren't enraged that she's black. Like, a little girl, like, watching this movie could be, like, oh, like, this is also just another person. Her skin is just darker than mine. So it's not, like, the just focus isn't about, like, oh, like, well, like, you're black, you know? It's just about, like, oh, you're a person and you're also black. So I think that type of representation in the media is more important than just, like, being, like, oh, well, look, like, here's a black person, here's an Asian person, like, here's a Latino. Like, in the media, it's so important that, like, you see, like, actual people instead of just, like, skin colors. And I think that will really help, like, bridge the gap between. Because, like, a lot of people feel, like, uncomfortable. Okay. A lot of people feel, like, uncomfortable. Okay, I'm going to stop my thing. Okay. Well, that's perfect. Thank you so much, Cheney.