Daniel Groza

Slam Poetry
The Lucky First Generation American.
Familiea mea e viata mea. My family is my life.
In this so called equal America, the American dream is sound and clear.
Work Hard, Persevere, and Invest in your goals and ambitions.
This so called Dream, allows every person the equal opportunity to obtain and achieve the goals
that they desire. To achieve their own, American Dream.
Ce o frumoas minciun care ne sunt date. What a beautiful lie that we are given.
As a first generation white Romanian, born in American, I have it good.
Compared to some, who are judged and oppressed by this white American society, My life is
richer than most.
Maggs John in the Economics of Being Hispanic, states that around the year 2000, white teens
were making up to $572 weekly whereas Hispanics received $398 per week.
Lack of pay increase not only deters, destroys, and creates dysfunction in ones finances, but it
also decreases the chance of obtaining their own education.
Immigrants represent 30 percent of all U.S. workers without a high school diploma.
The American dream is good, when the system works in your favor by lessening the competition
and advancing your income because you merely fit into their image of an ideal person.
Its just as Cass R. Suntstein says, Fear, Anxiety, and Color determine what life the immigrant
has in this country.
Compared to some, I have it all. Even when people are just the same as me.
Prejudice like the American dream for so many immigrants and first generation Americans, Is
Sound, and Clear.
Its just as Tyler Cowen and Daniel M. from Desert News said, only seven percent of Hispanics
that are first generation American cannot speak English.
The core values that come with Hispanics are family, hard work, and assimilation in American
culture.
The equal opportunity to work hard, strive, and achieve are what immigrants and first generation
Americans lack in todays society.
My parents ran from their oppressive government in Romania, and were forced to be strong.
In their life of poverty, struggle, discrimination, and violence, they both managed to secure a
hopeful future for me and my sister today.
Back then, anyone was degraded for not being white, or Western European. Now, no one can tell
the difference. I truly am lucky.
My parents tell me a saying constantly as a daily reminder to ensure a better life not just for me,
but for others around me.
Danucu, n viaa noastr, eram sraci, btui, nchii, discriminat, abuzat, i profitat de ntreaga
noastr via. Tot ce am vrut a fost s fie liber, i s asigure un viitor pentru tine. Amintii-v,
pentru o mare parte, care este dat, mult mai este necesar.
Danucu, In our life, we were poor, beaten, imprisoned, discriminated, abused, and taken
advantage of our entire lives. All we wanted was to be free, and secure a future for you.
Remember, for much that is given, much is required.
Compared to some first generation Americans, this white Romanian born in America, was born
lucky.