Introduction
The poet of interest is Janice Mirikitani, an Asian American poet who strongly appeals to me even though her culture is different from my own. The main reason is that her works show that there are many similarities between cultures, but the difference is how common human struggles and aspirations manifest in one’s life.
Discussion
For example, Mirikitani’s poem ‘Suicide Note’ reveals how Asian culture can be excessively pressuring and stressful on youngsters due to parental demands for achievement (Kirszner & Mandell, 2015). The cultural difference in the writing highlights the importance of academic performance in Asian culture, which is not as prioritized in my own. However, I like the poem because it is still relatable and speaks to the truth of shared challenges across different cultural backgrounds.
Firstly, the poem hints at the presence of sexism in Asian culture, which exists in my culture as well, where men are put in a position of dominance over women. For instance, the poet writes that the writer of the suicide note wishes she were a son rather than a daughter (Kirszner & Mandell, 2015). Secondly, life’s pressures are usually endured with no way to express them by seeking help, which exists in my culture as well, especially among men. Achebe’s novel impacts my understanding of the story by recognizing the common human struggles and aspirations through the lens of African culture.
Conclusion
To conclude, Mirikitani brings a new meaning to both her and my own culture, where all of them are faced with inescapable challenges, but the approach manifests differently. As a result, I no longer see different cultures as something alien and incomprehensive, and I value how all of them are similar when it comes to fundamental aspects of human life.
Reference
Kirszner, L. G., & Mandell, S. R. (2015). Compact literature (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.