Independence Day: Our most all-American holiday, marking the birth of the United States.
And while the idea of who can be described as “all-American” typically evokes certain demographics (read: white) to mind, the truth is that the United States is a nation of immigrants. There is no “typical” when it comes to being all-American. No matter what some folks may think, with the exception of Indigenous folks, our families have all come from somewhere else.
So this 4th of July, we at JoySauce asked our writers to share a bit of their immigration stories and what it means to them to be in the United States and what it means to be American.
Here are their stories.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Xintian Tina Wang
A young Tina Wang in 2001, in Hangzhou, China.
Courtesy of Tina Wang
I came to the United States from Hangzhou, China when I was 18, embarking on a journey that was as daunting as it was exciting. Navigating a different language and understanding an entirely new cultural landscape made it challenging to find who I wanted to be and who I identified with in college.
To me, being American does not mean denouncing or abandoning my Chinese heritage. Instead, it’s about finding a niche where I can embrace both cultures, even in the discomfort that sometimes comes with it. This dual identity is a constant balancing act, a dance between two worlds that have shaped who I am. It’s in this discomfort that I find my strength and voice, using my platform as a Chinese journalist in the United States to advocate for underrepresented communities and tell their stories with empathy and respect. Being American means celebrating diversity, honoring my roots, and striving to create a bridge of understanding between different cultures.
Shin Yu Pai
My parents came to the United States from Taiwan in the early 1970s, when my father attended graduate school at a small university in Kirksville, Missouri. My mother followed, leaving behind a successful…
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