A Narrative Essay On My American Identity

A person is shaped by their background. That background is unique for each person and that unique background helps make every individual into a unique individual. Neither your experience nor mine is any different. No two backgrounds and identities are the same. Here is mine.
I was raised almost solely for the first ten years of my life by my mom and in the first few years she could not speak English. I would be raised day after day by her and her only with only a few streaks of time where I would see my father on weekends, holidays and two afternoons. I was thought to speak and read almost solely by my mom. From my early years she drove me to do my best in school and life. She was the one who made me study and instilled my desire to succeed
Both my mom and father are Ukrainian—making me a first generation American and a bona fide Ukrainian-American. She raised me to be proud of both aspects of my nationality. As an American I take pride in what my nation has accomplished and the ideas she is founded on. The American identity is the foundation of my identity. The ideas America put into place 200 years ago are the beliefs I hold.
As a Ukrainian I take pride in the struggle my other nation for liberty and self-government. In September of 2014 I had the opportunity to attend the President of Ukraine’s, Petro Poroshenko, address to a joint session of Congress. My Representative, Walter B Jones, gave me his ticket. I got to sit in the upper balcony of the chamber of the United Sates House of Representatives and realize something. I realized that I was not alone in my pride and that I should not be afraid to show it. I also learned what hard work can get you beyond the standard lines. If my mom can go from not speaking English and raising me all through a chaotic divorce to buying a house and getting her Masters of Business Administration what can stop me from winning a Nobel Peace prize in