What does it mean to be an “American?” In today’s America, the definition of being an American has been up for debate by media and politicians alike, but to my parents, this display cabinet embodies what it means to them. My family has had this display cabinet since before I was born and inside it lies precious souvenirs from the various states and destinations that my parents have been to since arriving in America from Bangladesh in the late 80s. To them, the American experience included traveling around the 50 states, embracing American culture and assimilating into American society. Throughout the years, the display cabinet began to be filled with souvenirs from global destinations from family vacations and tassels from our graduations, showing how my parents helped me and my siblings through our journeys in this country despite still going along theirs. For this, I am forever grateful because as I grow older I realize: for my parents, the immigrant experience included giving up their homes in Bangladesh to come to America and be “American” in order for me and my siblings to have better lives. Therefore, while this display cabinet shows how they tried their best to assimilate earlier on, my parents ultimately relied on our family’s Bengali roots to give me and my siblings a tremendous multicultural and bilingual upbringing. 
 - A.A.

– AA

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant