avatarAlison McBain

Summary

The web content is a personal poem reflecting on the author's Japanese-American heritage and the cultural assimilation experienced by their grandmother and subsequent generations.

Abstract

The poem titled "Assimilation" is a heartfelt reflection on the author's Japanese-American lineage, particularly focusing on the author's grandmother. It speaks to the linguistic and cultural shifts that occur over generations, from the grandmother's adopted American accent and phrases ("I says") to the author's daughters, who have "brown butter hair" and lack direct ties to the family's history in Hiroshima and the experience of desert camps in Utah during World War II. The author acknowledges a sense of loss for the distinctive elements of their cultural heritage, despite the comfort of raising children in a world that reflects their appearance. The poem is accompanied by a personal photograph of the author with their grandmother and an invitation to explore more of the author's poetry on Medium.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a fondness for the unique characteristics of their grandmother's speech, indicative of her assimilation into American culture.
  • There is a sense of disconnection between the author's daughters and their family's historical roots in Japan and the internment experience in the U.S.
  • The author seems to grapple with the trade-offs of cultural assimilation, appreciating the ease with which their children can navigate their current environment while mourning the diminishing connection to their Japanese-American heritage.
  • The author values the act of storytelling and its role in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage to younger generations.
  • The inclusion of a personal photograph and a link to more poetry suggests the author places importance on sharing their personal reflections and artistic expressions with a broader audience.

Assimilation

A poem about my Japanese-American grandmother

My grandmother and me (2005) — photo used with the permission of John McBain

I grew to the sound of misplaced esses grandma’s American voice “I says,” she said.

My daughters have brown butter hair lacking history of Hiroshima, desert camps in Utah.

Telling fairy tales to wide-wondering faces, fresh and untethered from our past

I raise my girls in a world that looks like them. I miss the sound of misplaced esses.

If you like this poem, please check out my others on Medium:

Japanese American
Grandmother
Poetry
Poem
Family
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