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American Dream

"My brother Jorge is talking about leaving this country."

Listen to this Commentary!

By Gabriela Jacobo

Youth Radio’s Gabriela Jacobo sent this perspective about the ripple effects of the situation in Iraq for her family — Mexican immigrants juggling allegiances on both sides of the border.

Talk of war has got me thinking about my family and friends in Mexico. They see me as an American now, even though I was born in Acambaro and spent the first five years of my life in Mexico. But somehow my heart feels more there than here right now. When I think back to why my family came to America in the first place, I wonder whether dangerous times like these were really part of the dream or not.

It’s ironic. While my father is filling out a citizenship application, my brother Jorge is talking about leaving this country to create a better life in the place where my father found no opportunities.

When Jorge took his first trip back to Mexico last year, he told me he wasn’t sure if he was coming back.

I didn’t think Jorge was serious, and when he came back after months of staying in Mexico I thought maybe he was over it. But after the Sept 11th, Jorge said he felt guilty living in America knowing bombing in Afghanistan was being carried out in his name. Now it’s just a matter of time before he leaves again, and this time I know he won’t come back.

The fact that my brother and I might be living in different countries doesn’t bother me as much as what our disagreements do to our relationship. But I can’t tell him not to leave the country, because part of me wants to leave too.

Jorge is taking his vote with him to Mexico, his opinions and all the things that one day could be a part of a movement for change. America will never be the way our dad imagines it if it doesn’t have people like Jorge in it.

With a Perspective, I’m Gabriela Jacobo.

Back Announce: Gabriela Jacobo comes to us from Youth Radio, an award-winning journalism training program.