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Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales’s poem “I Am Joaquín” uses poetry as a form of artivism to highlight the struggles of the Chicano community and to promote a sense of identity and resistance. The poem frames the main problem as cultural erasure and identity loss caused by pressure to assimilate into dominant American (Anglo) society. The speaker expresses confusion and displacement, describing himself as being “lost in a world of confusion,” which reflects the broader experience of many Chicanos.

In response to this problem, the poem offers a solution rooted in reclaiming cultural identity and rejecting assimilation. Gonzales emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with Mexican and Indigenous heritage, encouraging pride in one’s history and community. By doing so, the poem promotes a nationalist ideology that centers on shared cultural roots and collective strength.

This nationalist approach is a powerful strategy because it builds unity and empowers marginalized communities. By presenting Joaquín as a symbolic figure, the poem constructs a collective identity that represents the struggles, history, and resilience of all Chicanos. The repeated references to historical figures and identities reinforce the idea that the Chicano experience is deeply rooted in a long and complex past.However, while this strategy is effective in creating solidarity, it may also have limitations. Focusing strongly on a single shared identity could exclude those who do not fully identify with that narrative or who have more diverse experiences within the community.

Overall, “I Am Joaquín” demonstrates how poetry can function as artivism by raising awareness, fostering pride, and inspiring resistance. Through its powerful language and symbolism, the poem not only critiques social injustice but also helps build a strong sense of collective identity within the Chicano movement

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This poem is both nationalist and internationalist at the same time. The speaker is declaring his Puerto Rican-ness and expressing solidarity with other working people and oppressed groups, while also pointing out that the cause of the exploitation of just labor is global. This is a strong point of the poem because by pointing out the universality of the problems of the working class, the speaker can unite all Puerto Rican workers and identify the cause of their suffering. However, there is an overwhelming emphasis on the magnitude of the problems of the working class, which can make them seem insurmountable. The poem includes a strong theme of code switching as it describes the experiences of Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. and their struggles to identify themselves as Puerto Rican as well as American. The strong collective identity of the speakers encourages movements towards equality because their names and language are connected. ¡Aquí se habla español! asserts defiance towards assimilation and the need for the culture to be recognized. This theme is repeatedly used throughout the poem expressing the idea that the speakers’ experiences are not personal but collective.

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This poem frames the problem of losing cultural identity in this melting pot of cultures. A line from the poem says, "And see part of me; Who rejects my father and my mother; And dissolves into the melting pot; To disappear in shame." I think these lines outline the idea that despite being proud of one's cultural identity, while living in a society that does not embrace this, there could be a part of you that has to undermine it in order to fit in. But by fitting in, you feel shameful when you think back to the generations and culture you have descended from. As the poem goes on, I suppose the solution would be to just endure, endure, and endure it till the very end. I think this ties into Chicano nationalism when it gives strength to the movement of his people by claiming that their "faith is unbreakable." I think it really emphasizes the odds stacked against them and their ability to be able to endure just as they have endured throughout history. He exclaims, "Méjicano! Español! Latino!" I think through these lines, collective identity is established especially when he says, "I am the masses of my people and; I refuse to be absorbed." Although some potential drawbacks could be the people in America that face similar issues by the same government and people, may not know how to find space in the movement even if they are facing the same problems.

(Kashmala Yousafzai)

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"Puerto Rican Obituary" frames the way that Puerto Ricans are mistreated in their workforces in a way that humanizes each individual in a way that they aren't by their employers. One of the ways the poem does this is by repeating the names of it's five main characters, making it impossible for readers to lump them in and generalize their experiences. The solution the author pushes is sticking together and not forgetting the commonality between one and their coworker just because they hold different positions in a company.

The poem connects to a nationalist ideology by touching on many of the beautiful things about Puerto Rican culture and painting a picture of what our troubled workers could be doing if they weren't so dependent on a toxic labor system. One line that shows this is, "If only they had turned off the television and tune into their own imaginations". This approach makes the situation relatable in it's humanity, especially for Puerto Ricans.

The collective identity of Puerto Ricans is constructed in the poem by referencing experiences that are more likely to be common between members of the community, ways that they can enjoy each other's company free from the weight of corporations. In the last few lines, the author starts each one with "aqui" to call to mind one of the most personal things for a people - their language.

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In "Puerto Rican Obituary,: Pedro Pietri frames the community's problem as systemic exploitation that persists wherein workers are trapped in a cycle of low-paying jobs and a society that doesn't allow for their success despite hardwork. Lines like "they worked," or "they were always on time" show the discipline of the community, while the structure of the poem as an obituary implies that their lives have been indignified by the systrm. The solution is that through collective awareness, the community is able to resist colonial and capitalist oppression as it dialectically works against their liberty.

The poem connects strongly to a nationalist ideology because it puts Puerto Rican identity and survival in the forefront. At the same time, it is also internationalist because it links Puerto Rican struggle to broader anti-imperialist struggles across the globe. This is a strength because it creates a sense of solidarity that goes beyond just one identity, especially since the oppressive forces of imperialism and capitalism are seen everywhere.

The poem also creates a collective identity by listing many Puerto Rican names and giving them a shared struggle, turning individual lives as a collective story. The repeated phrases about work, suffering, and broken dreams make the community seen as a group rather than isolated individuals.

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The poem, "I Am Joaquin" focuses on the idea of Latine culture being suppressed and the internal struggles that members of the Latine community have to experience while living in the United States. It frames the United States and Spain as using their imperialist tendencies to control stolen land and erase previously present culture of the people who lived there. It presents the problem of imperialism being an existing concern for centuries. The solution is to be revolutionaries and resist the system that seeks to erase cultures. The movement connects to cultural nationalism and embracing the ancestors that came before you. In lines like "I owned the land as far as the eye could see under the Crown of Spain, and toiled on my Earth and gave my Indian sweat and blood for the Spanish master who ruled with tyranny", it calls back to ancestors who resisted imperialism and fought back against the oppressors. The strength of cultural nationalism in this context is the idea of preserving history and identity, with a refusal to assimilate and neglect what came before the members of the Latine community. Collective identity is developed by inspiring members of the Latine community are united in the fight, and experience similar emotions. In the poem, it states, "I look the same, I feel the same, cry and sing the same." These lines show that there are collective struggles that they can relate to and can build strength out of it.

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In "I am Joaquin" by Rodolfo Gonzales, the Chicanos community's problem is being torn apart by outside hate. It's framed as a loss of identity where people get caught between cultures and struggle with the shame of their heritage. The solution includes being proud of your heritage and fighting back: "I am the masses of my people, and I refuse to be absorbed."

The poem reflects Chicano nationalism by focusing on creating a united nation. It's a strength for the movement because it's connecting people by creating a shared identity. Some drawbacks could be that it created an argument that was us vs. them, so other groups began to mistrust them. Joaquin stands for everyone in the Chicano movement and turned people into a unified group with the same history.

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Puerto Rican Obituary frames the problem the immigrants are facing by mentioning names like Juan, Miguel, Milagros, and Olga, and then immediately says that they died from different forms of exploitation. For example, Juan/ died waiting for his number to hit, and Miguel/ died waiting for the welfare check.

This poem connects a lot with a nationalist ideology for the people of Puerto Rican. For example, in the poem, there are lines like "Dead Puerto Ricans

Who never knew they were Puerto Ricans

Who never took a coffee break

from the Ten Commandments," to emphasize that it is the Puerto Ricans who are getting exploited. This could be a strength for the movement because it can unite the people of Puerto Rican backgrounds more easily. The drawbacks might be that, as the movement progresses, the inclusiveness of the movement might be hindered by this nationalist perspective, as it only mentions Puerto Ricans in the poem.

The poem built a collective identity for the Puerto Ricans by mentioning things that are common for the Puerto Ricans who are in the U.S. For example, lines like "These dreams/ These empty dreams

from the make-believe bedrooms/ their parents left them/ are the after-effects/ of television programs/ about the ideal/ white american family/ with black maids/ and/ latino janitors/ who are well train—/to make everyone/ and their bill collectors/ laugh at them/ and the people they represent." Express common thoughts and dreams of Puerto Ricans who come to the U.S. for the fake promises the TV was telling them. This creates a collective identity because it is a very relatable scenario for the Puerto Ricans and can quickly give them the sense that they are what the poem is describing.

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I chose to read the “I am Joaquin” poem by Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales to analyze. Within this piece, Gonzales introduces Joaquin who is used as a symbolic figure representing all Chicanos. Through this, Gonzales was able to frame the problem, connect to nationalist ideas, and call for action. To begin, this poem utilizes framing to acknowledge the problems faced by the Chicano community (Americans of Mexican descent). For instance, beginning with the line “I am Joaquín, lost in a world of confusion” immediately cues the reader into the idea of self-identity being undetermined. Later on in the poem Gonzales writes “I look at myself And see part of me Who rejects my father and my mother And dissolves into the melting pot To disappear in shame”. This powerful confession acknowledges the internal turmoil that individuals within the Chicano community may face when trying to live in a society that pressures one to assimilate. To continue, this piece connects to nationalism by having the goal of reclaiming history erased by colonization, especially in relation to Indigenous and Mexican heritage. It then portrays nationalist ideologies by aiming to unite all individuals within the Chicano community by drawing on similar perspectives. As a result, a strength of this position is that it restored cultural pride which helped in gaining members to support the movement. However, a drawback of this standpoint is that it could exclude some individuals who did not feel well represented in the poem. Lastly, this piece constructed a collective identity by using the symbolic figure of “Joaquin” to represent more than one person’s experiences. As a result, the author is able to develop a sense of alikeness.

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The poem I chose for this activity is I am Joaquin. It frames the problem faced by the Chinaco community by highlighting their struggle towards their cultural identity against years of oppression and economic hardships. It frames its solution by emphasizing generations of resistance and collective action as a way of motivation to be resistant and empowered. This poem connects to a mostly nationalist ideology, specifically Chicano nationalism as it rejects assimilation and reinforces cultural ties. This connection is a strength for the movement because it strongly empowers people. However, a drawback from this strategy could be that even though they are trying to empower the Chicano community, there is still hardships within Chicano culture that are perpetrated aside from the ones mentioned in the poem. For example, sexism was still an issue within the Chicano community. Therefore, it is a drawback because while the poem is meant to empower the Chicano movement, there are still flaws within the community. Moreover, it constructs collective identity because it mentions a history of resistance and leaders who have helped pave the way for this cultural and political resistance. Specific lines that speaks to my questions "I am Joaquin.
I rode with Pancho Villa,
crude and warm, a tornado at full strength,
nourished and inspired by the passion and the fire of all his earthy people.
I am Emiliano Zapata.
"This land, this earth is OURS." ".

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The poem "Puerto Rico Obituary" frames the issue as exploitation of workers who are striving for the American Dream, which never comes. One passage that stood out to me was:

"Juan died waiting for his number to hit

Miguel

died waiting for the welfare check

to come and go and come again

Milagros

died waiting for her ten children

to grow up and work

so she could quit working

Olga

died waiting for a five dollar raise

Manuel

died waiting for his supervisor to drop dead

so he could get a promotion."

This while this shows the results of their work, what is shown through the poem is the tireless labor done, which they do not get equal compensation for.

This poem takes a nationalist approach within the culture of Puerto Rico. It fosters unity within their struggle, and rejects traditional American norms, making reference to things such as the Bible - something used frequently in American nationalist rhetoric.

It fosters a collective identity by telling the stories of numerous people being exploited in the American labor system, all in different ways. Each story represents the flaws of the American labor system, and their collective struggle to achieve the American dream.

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In the poem, "I am Joaquin," Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales illustrates his struggles with having to assimilate in America and the fear of his culture being eliminated. This is emphasized with lines like "In a country that has wiped out all my history, stifled all my pride," he shows the reader how he feels out of place in a melting pot that is erasing his culture. He connects it to Chicano nationalism, talking about his "unbreakable spirit" and his "pure blood," and how no matter what he calls himself, he shall and will endure. I think it constructs a collective identity for the Chicano movement because many people can relate to their culture being diminished or erased, just like Gonzales, and that they may share similar pain.

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This poem frames the economic and racial discrimination problem against Latin people in America. The author does this by saying things like, "I am Joaquín, lost in a world of confusion, caught up in the whirl of a gringo society," or "My fathers have lost the economic battle and won the struggle of cultural survival." These quotes reveal that the Latin community living in America felt seperated from their own identity because of the systems in place. There isn't a direct solution but by saying things like, "I am the masses of my people and I refuse to be absorbed. I am Joaquín. The odds are great But my spirit is strong, My faith unbreakable, My blood is pure." is framing this solution have being resistant to the modern society and have cultural pride through the unity of his community. This poem connects with this sense of having internationalist ideologies because he is advocating for a shared collective idenity. This is a strength for the movement because it creates solidarity within communities and recognizes that people are not alone and that we need to come together to fight together. The potential drawbacks of this stragety could be that because we created this sense of collective idenity that it's not inclusive to all people, which could alter how some people view the movement or decide how to participate in the movement. This poem constructs collective identity for the Chicano movement by sharing similar life experiences like racial, economic, and poltical discrimination, similar backgrounds/histories, and the same culture, and the same struggle for equality.

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The poem Puerto Rican Obituary by Pedro Pietri explained the exploitation and poverty suffered by the Puerto Rican people stating "ten days a week and were only paid for five". These issues of Puerto Ricans being taken advantage and not compensated properly has a clear solution of a cultural shift for their oppressors. This poem is looking for the people to stop believing in this fake dream that has been painted and value their own culture and identity. It builds a nationalist ideology by leaning on sayings in the poem like "Aqui Se Habla Espanol" building a source of pride and unity. In the poem I read it repeated names throughout each stanza to represent everyone that is being taken advantage of. Repeating after all these names "They work... They died" building a shared experience to Puerto Ricans based on struggle

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In the poem "I am Joaquin," the Chicano community's problem is framed as the intense pressure to assimilate into American culture and lose their own culture and heritage in the process. The line, "I look at myself and see part of me who rejects my father and my mother and dissolves into the melting pot to disappear in shame," encapsulates this struggle to maintain identity and embrace cultural roots in a world that has historically punished those who do so. The poem itself calls the Chicano community together to resist, reclaiming and embracing their collective identity. It's a connection to Chicano nationalism, and by saying, "I am the masses of my people and I refuse to be absorbed," it strengthens the resolve of the community to endure.

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In "I Am Joaquín," Rodolfo Gonzales frames the central problem facing the Chicano community as the struggle between cultural survival and ongoing economic injustice. He writes, “My fathers have lost the economic battle and won the struggle of cultural survival,” highlighting how economic hardship exists alongside the preservation of Chicano identity. Gonzales develops this problem through references to pivotal historical moments and figures that influence Chicano identity. He uses a kind of constitutive rhetoric that brings together multiple cultural histories into a shared narrative. The solution he offers is a call for collective action grounded in identity and unity in the Chicano movement, “we start to MOVE. La raza! Méjicano! Español! Latino! Chicano!” This shift emphasizes mobilization through a shared cultural consciousness with the Chicano community.

The poem connects strongly to nationalist ideology, specifically Chicano cultural nationalism. Gonzales emphasizes the importance of cultural roots and rejects assimilation into U.S. society, which he describes as the “sterilization of the soul.” He writes, “I must choose between the paradox of victory of the spirit, despite physical hunger, or to exist in the grasp of American social neurosis,” framing assimilation as a loss of identity. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of connecting historical moments in different cultures, “I am the Maya prince […] I am Nezahualcóyotl [… ] I am the eagle and serpent of the Aztec civilization.” This connection to a shared cultural and historical past strengthens the movement by creating pride and a sense of unified purpose in the Chicano movement. However, a drawback of this nationalist framing is its exclusion of women. Gonzales primarily references male figures and leadership, which marginalizes Chicana women and limits the inclusivity of the movement’s identity.

Finally, Gonzales constructs a collective identity through his repeated use of the first-person “I,” which functions as a representation of the entire Chicano community. Rather than referencing individuality, the “I” becomes a collective "We" and symbolic. He writes, “I am the masses of my people and I refuse to be absorbed,” emphasizing resistance to assimilation and unity across different cultural communities. Similarly, in the lines “Or whatever I call myself, I look the same, I feel the same, I cry and sing the same,” Gonzales highlights shared human experiences as the foundation of solidarity. With this, Gonzales actively resists the dehumanizing experiences endured by the Chicano movement, emphasizing not only economic injustice and inequality but also the broader dehumanization of Chicano people, reinforcing both belonging and resistance as central elements of Chicano collective identity.

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2) The poem frames the problem as the U.S. forcing Latin Americans to give up their heritage and their fight to win "the economic battle" and survive in society, and whether that tradeoff is worthwhile. The solution Joaquín states is, "[a]nd now the trumpet sounds; the music of the people stirs the
revolution".

3) This definitely is connecting to internationalist ideology. It rejects American immigration rhetoric: "[part of me] dissolves into the melting pot; [t]o disappear in shame". If the goal is to call for revolution, rejection of the U.S. ideologies are necessary. Although this radical call will not mesh well with the other, more reformist movements of the time.

4) The poem creates collective identity within the Chicano movement by creating enemyship against U.S. imperialism and by bringing in ancient Latin American and spiritual cultural ties. In multiple ways, his blood runs through the lands: both through the history of Latin America, and from U.S. imperialism abroad in places such as Vietnam.

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The poem "Puerto Rican Obituary" calls out the unfair and exploitative environment Puerto Rican workers live through in America. Chronic debt is accumulated from generation to generation due to low wages and lackluster benefits give families no way out of poverty and eventually, death. This reality is framed by blaming the US government with lines like "they were born to weep

and keep the morticians employed

as long as they pledge allegiance

to the flag that wants them destroyed." Puerto Ricans are given no way out from the hole they're born into by America, who expects them to simply be thankful as a citizen. This creates a nationalist identity among Puerto Ricans who must stick together to break the cycle and survive. The poem mentions experiences that make foster collective identity in the ways they've been disrespected: "for broken english lessons

to impress the mister goldsteins—

who keep them employed." Many Puerto Ricans have probably experienced difficulty with learning an entire new language, connecting them through hardships. Criticisms of this strategy may relate to US nationalists claiming that they simply "aren't working hard enough," especially in relation to the ideals of the American Dream. As shown in the poem, this can cause hatred between Puerto Ricans due to competition for miniscule resources and jobs. All of this collectively creates a collective identity through common experience and adversity. At the end of the poem especially, hope is created by calling for perseverance from Puerto Ricans and dreaming of a place where they all live in harmony again: "where beautiful people sing

and dance and work together... where you do not need a dictionary

to communicate with your people." These common realities create a core identity for the group.

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This poem frames the problem faced by the Puerto Rican community and the solution by acknowledging the relentless struggle in pursuit of the American dream, and it also signifies that the dream wasn't made for them:

"Always broke

Always owing

Never knowing

that they are beautiful people

Never knowing

the geography of their complexion"

The poem connects to nationalist ideology because it's specifically about the Puerto Rican community as the focus, and this is a strength because when they bring up common struggles and narratives in their community it builds a collective identity among the in-group. Potential drawbacks or criticisms of this strategy could be that they're not the only group going through this problem and so they should look at it through an internationalist lens and have more intersectionality with other marginalized groups:

"PUERTO RICO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE

PUERTORRIQUENOS ARE A BEAUTIFUL RACE"

It constructs collective identity through common narratives in Puerto Rican culture, and it makes people feel seen and understood in the fact that they're not alone.

"All died yesterday today

and will die again tomorrow"

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Puerto Rican obituary frames the Puerto Rican community as exploited workers, as people who gave their lives to others and received little of what they were owed in return. Pietri specifies the lives of each person listed, exemplifying this idea through lines like "They died broke/They died owing/They died never knowing/what the front entrance of the first national city bank looks like". Pietri's use of mundane details adds to this, serving as a reminder of the humanity of these people outside of just being symbols of the Puerto Rican community- these details help paint them as their own individuals, few of many similar people, while framing them collectively as part of a group who detached from their culture in order to find work and lead "better" lives, like stated when Pietri writes" "Dead Puerto Ricans/Who never knew they were Puerto Ricans". Pietri's writing frames them as sympathetic and tragic people, who have been forced into the more white American ideals of being "latino janitors/who are well train-/to make everyone/and their bill-collectors/laugh at them". This reflects the nationalist ideology of maintaining cultural heritage despite much of American society's desire for assimilation, as a show of solidarity for those who died not being able to appreciate or show their heritage for the sake of younger generations. Pietri establishes this as a problem faced by many, reflected by the constant repetition of the many names throughout the poem. Though he gives them their own identities, naming their ideals and hope and dreams and disappointments, he also connects them through the overarching themes of the poem, exhibiting their fates that were caused by this cultural separation from each other, which was a consequence of their forced assimilation.

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The poem frames the issues faced by the Chicano community as a situation of being oppressed, marginalized, and experiencing an identity crisis in American society. From the beginning, the poet uses "lost in a world of confusion" and "caught up in the whirl of a gringo society" to express his loss and confusion in the white-dominated society, and points out that this oppression is not only external, but also structural. In addition, the poem also emphasizes historical injustice, such as "My land is lost and stolen, My culture has been raped," directly pointing out that the Chicanos have experienced the historical trauma of land being plundered and culture being destroyed. In terms of solution, this poem emphasizes cultural and spiritual resistance and awakening. A call for resistance through the reconstruction of cultural identity and collective consciousness.

This poem clearly embodies an ideology of cultural nationalism. By repeatedly using the "I am" sentence pattern, the poet connects himself to Mexican and Chicano history, extending his individual identity into the national narrative. At the same time, expressions such as "La raza!" and "Chicano!" reinforce a sense of ethnic community and emphasize Chicanos as a distinct group.

The poem constructs the collective identity of the Chicano community in multiple ways. First of all, the poet connects the individual with the entire national history by repeatedly using the "I am" sentence pattern, such as "I am the Maya prince", "I am Emiliano Zapata", and even "I have killed and been killed", integrating individual experience with historical events, making "I" a symbol of the entire nation. This way of writing makes readers realize that personal identity is not isolated, but a continuation of history and culture.

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The problem in "Puerto Rican Obituary" is the Puerto Ricans in America are forgetting their roots, and fully subscribing to the idea and values of the "American dream" despite society being built to keep them down. The solution is to return to their Puerto Rican roots, remembering the values of the society they come from and not being ruined by the capitalistic ideals of American society. This is emphasized at the end of the poem, "If only they had turned off the television and tune into their own imaginations"

This poem connects to a cultural nationalist ideology about Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans keeping up their culture even if they live in the U.S. This connection emphasizes that despite them moving to the U.S. they should always remember where they came from and not lose themselves to the ideals of this new society. The lines "Never knowing that they are beautiful people. Never knowing the geography of their complexion" add to this power within the movement of being proud of where you came from and not always assimilating to the "American dream" ideals. Some drawbacks could that because they are not subscribing to these ideals of the society they might not reap the benefits of working within the system. However, the system has been built to keep white people in power and keep marginalized groups out of it.

The collective identity is constructed through the repeated names throughout the poem "Juan, Miguel, Milagros, Olga, Manuel." They represent all the Puerto Ricans in the U.S. who are dealing with these issues of inequality everyday. The collective identity is sprinkled throughout the poem with Spanish phrases and shared experiences of Puerto Ricans in New York or across the U.S. "Is very expensive But they understood Is a long non-profit ride from Spanish Harlem to Long Island cemetery" This comes together as well at the end when the author talks about how Puerto Ricans should embrace their culture "PUERTO RICO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE PUERTORRIQUENOS ARE A BEAUTIFUL RACE". Then at the end switching from the repeated English "Here" to the Spanish "Aqui" is meant to unite Puerto Ricans with their native language and their culture.

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In the poem, "Puerto Rican Obituary," writer, Pedro Pietri frames the problem around the suffering of Puerto Ricans in America through the concept of the "American Dream." There are many instances in which this false dream is touched on, instead emphasizing inequality. For example, "Proud to belong to a community / of gringos who want them lynched," emphasizes the lack of belonging they feel. They share communities with white people, share the same income amount, yet are still discriminated against.

This poem relates to cultural nationalism. The writer encourages readers to go against the discrimination and accept their culture, background, and heritage. At the end of the poem the text says, "Aqui / Se Habla Espanol / all the time/ Aqui you salute your flag first." By using Spanish in these phrases, it encourages readers to take control of their heritage. Though, this may face drawbacks through isolation and if they go against the many establishments of America, they may begin to struggle even more.

The poem constructs collective identity for Puerto Ricans by using phrases in Spanish, as well as the repetition of the names, which makes individual experiences into shared ones. It creates relatability for Puerto Ricans and their struggles.

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Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales's "I am Joaquín" frames the Chicano community's problem as cultural erasure, due to the pressure to assimilate. Joaquín describes being "lost in a world of confusion...caught up in the whirl of a gringo society," where he is "suppressed" and forced to choose between the "victory of the spirit", or the "sterilization of the soul, and a full stomach". Here, the poem shows how oppression is external and internal, as his cultural identity is threatened by survival within American society. The solution stems from his cultural pride: "I am the masses of my people, and I refuse to be absorbed... I SHALL ENDURE!" Gonzales argues that reclaiming history and unity is the path forward.

The poem reflects a strong Chicano nationalist ideology, connecting Joaquín to other historical Chicano figures, and asserting "This land, this earth, is OURS." The shared history strengthens the movement by creating unity and pride, but it can also be limiting. Lines like "My blood is pure" can exclude those who are more assimilated or of mixed descent. At the same time, Gonzales constructs a collective identity through the repetition of the phrase "I am", turning Joaquín into a symbol of all Chicanos (Méjicano, Latino, Chicano, etc): "I am the masses of my people." Using these strategies, the poem builds a powerful sense of shared identity rooted in common history and struggle.

(Hannah Long)

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It frames the problem as an exploitation of labor that makes the community turn on each other out of jealousy. The solution is to reject the American lifestyle and to rejuvenate the Puerto Rican sides of themselves. It connects to a nationalist ideology of Puerto Rico culture being the way forward and it is a strength because it can allow for more resistance among workers to explotation. A drawback however is that it could potentially harm their opinino of other Latino groups. It constructs collective identity by making it clear that the little differences do not matter because they are all Puerto Rican. I think of the line "If only they

had kept their eyes open

at the funeral of their fellow employees

who came to this country to make a fortune

and were buried without underwears" because it shows the lack of class consciousness and solidarity the author was trying to avoid.

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In poem"I am Joaquin", Rodolfo framed their loss of cultural identity in American societies (i.e."In a country that has wiped out all my history, ") within economic survival champion. The solution included collaboration with other people in Chicano community, calling for the revolutionary change to prompt their own culture in their community, and motivating people's opposition to cultural and spiritual oppression.

The poem connected with Chicano Nationalism. The poem repeated and emphasized their lands, their faith, honors in their history, cultures, and compared them with their inferiority in new society. For example, "Inferiority is the new load . . . . "The connection can strengthen the movement(i.e. Chicano movements) by evoking Chicano community's consciousness of their dignity in Chicano's culture and history, such as Aztec. The potential drawbacks is that this strategy may cause some irrational bloody strikes by triggering people emotionally.

The poem constructing collective identity Chicano movement by representing the collective history and experience of Chicano's community. For example, by saying "I am the masses of my people and
I refuse to be absorbed.
I am Joaquín.
", the author let Joaquín becomes a symbolic of an entire community to emphasize their sharing history and identity. "I have been the bloody revolution,The victor, The vanquished." The author expressed determination of anti-oppression in their future.

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In "I am Joaquin", Rodolfo Gonzales takes a historical approach to highlight both modern and historical discrimination and exploitation against Latinx people. Gonzales frames the problem as past colonization and current American influence exploiting Latinx communities. The solution to this problem is cultural pride and mobilization against Anglo cultural influence ("I am the masses of my people and, I refuse to be absorbed") This poem connects to more nationalist ideology because its focus is to create a sense of Chicano pride by mentioning their history and eventually fighting Anglo influence by creating cultural pride and mobilizing. This creates a broader identity and cultural pride by rejecting assimilation. The drawbacks of this strategy is exacerbating gender inequalities within the community, and potentially alienating other marginalized groups. Ultimately, this poem constructs a collective identity for the Chicano movement by drawing on shared history/heritage to create cultural pride ("I am the eagle and serpent of the Aztec civilization"), and similar injustices/discrimination to actively consciousness-raise about broader systemic injustices against their communities ("My fathers have lost the economic battle and won the struggle of cultural survival")

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In the poem “I am Joaquín,” the Chicano community faces a harsh choice between economic survival and losing their culture. The author argues that Anglo society forces them to choose between the "sterilization of the soul and a full stomach." The solution he offers is to completely reject assimilation and find strength in "MY OWN PEOPLE" to outlast the oppressive system. To make this work, the author builds a powerful collective identity by using Joaquín as a symbol for all Chicanos throughout history. Instead of being just one person, Joaquín represents an entire people. When he claims to be both “the Maya prince” and “the sword and flame of Cortes,” he combines the bloodlines of both the oppressed indigenous people and the European conquerors.

This way of building identity is heavily tied to Chicano Nationalism, which focuses on creating a united, culturally proud Chicano nation rather than fitting into a broader internationalist movement. The main strength of this strategy is its ability to promote solidarity, framing the marginalized community as a "sleeping giant" that is finally starting to "MOVE" against an unjust system. However, this nationalist ideology is very male-centric, relying on masculine figures like "fathers" and "princes," which pushes aside the important roles of Chicanas within the movement.

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In "Puerto Rican Obituary", Pedro Pietri demonstrated the exploitation and the false "American Dream" suffered by Puerto Rican immigrants in the United States. For instance, "They worked... ten days a week" shows inequality. I believe this can illustrate that they have been oppressed for a long time without receiving any compensation. The American Dream is depicted as an illusion that people who have not awakened to reality strive for respect and a stable life, but have not succeeded.

This poem is closely related to the nationalist trend, especially cultural nationalism. It encourages Puerto Ricans to reject assimilation into the mainstream cultural norms of white Americans and instead cherish their own identity. The drawback is that it may isolate this group or neglect the establishment of broader alliances with other groups.

Through the repeated appearance of names such as "Juan / Miguel / Milagros / Olga / Manuel", this poem constructs a collective identity, transforming individual struggles into a shared experience. Through repetition and shared hardships, Pieri coalesces the community into a collective voice of resistance.

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1) Read one of the following poems:

Puerto Rican Obituary OR I am Joaquin

2) Discuss how it frames the problem faced by that community, and the solution

3) Does it connect to some kind of nationalist or internationalist ideology? How is this connection a strength for the movement? What are the potential drawbacks/criticisms of this strategy?

4) How does it construct collective identity for the Puerto Rican (1st Poem) or Chicano movement (2nd poem)?

•Pick specific lines that speak to these questions in your response