Homework for Americans

HUMBERTO CASPA

About two weeks ago, my daughter brought home from school a note from

her teacher, Cassandra Simmons, asking my wife and I to work with our

child on a special project.

I have done other assignments with my daughter before, but this

one turned out to be unforgettable.

Besides restrengthening our family, Simmons’ assignment brought

back some sweet memories of my own childhood. It also made me

realize, once again, how complicated it is to live the American way

of life while continuing to embrace a deep-rooted indigenous

background and a Latin American heritage that doesn’t go away.

The special project involved working on a diorama of a Native

American Indian tribe.

Since we live in Costa Mesa, I suggested my daughter focus on the

Lukups, an indigenous group that lived in this area prior to the

Spanish arrival. My idea didn’t go through.

In fact, it never had a chance because she had already decided to

build a Cheyenne township.

So, we went out to Michael’s store on 17th Street to get the

material in Simmons’ list. We bought clay to make the people, animals

and trees; acrylic and watercolor paints; different-sized brushes;

toothpicks for the tepees; colored paper; glue; organic grass; and a

large piece of Styrofoam to prop the pieces up.

We even collected some little rocks from the driveway and tree

branches to show off the great scenery in which the Cheyenne people

lived.

The stage was set to build the township. My wife and daughter

started making the little animals and trees, and I put aside my daily

readings to join in their efforts.

Teacher Simmons says in her letter, “I hope this project will

provide bounding moments, with memories to carry into the future, for

you and your child.”

Simmons was right. Not only did we work together assiduously on my

daughter’s project, but we also enjoyed wonderful family moments,

teasing and making fun of each other, as well as laughing and yelling

at each other.

I’m sure some fortunate parents who worked on this project were

pleased to follow up Simmons’ recommendations.

In addition to getting me involved with my family, the diorama

project touched on some sensitive areas of my past. As I mentioned

before, ethnically I’m bound to the indigenous Aymaras in Bolivia,

but I also possess a rich Latin American heritage.

However, neither my indigenous past or Latin American customs and

traditions entirely represent what I feel I am as an individual in

this country today. Since nationality is greater than ethnicity,

after we finished the diorama, I thought of myself more as an

American. This conclusion can be puzzling, and so difficult to gain

acceptance within other Latin American families in our community and

across the nation. Perhaps our contradictions are rooted in our

history, as it often characterizes an “American” as someone having

white skin, blond hair and blue eyes.

Unfortunately, these characteristics are reinforced by the media

and the surreal world of Hollywood. That is why, when we think about

an “American”, we often think of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan or Madonna

as examples.

The faces of Edward James Olmos, Caesar Chavez, and Jeniffer Lopez

are not part of that picture. Lopez is often seen as a successful

Latin American star, not as an American.

The African-American community has come a long way in changing

this inaccurate picture of what an American looks like.

A more inclusive prototype is beginning to form, as more black

leaders in civics and the arts make their identity as Americans well

understood.

I look forward to more of Simmons’ assignments. Her project gave

me a moment to have fun with my family and a chance to deal with this

intricate and difficult identity issue.

* HUMBERTO CASPA is a Costa Mesa resident and bilingual writer. He

can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].