American History

Several characters in “American History” experience and contend with feelings of displacement. Elena’s parents moved to New Jersey from Puerto Rico, while Eugene’s parents have relocated to Paterson from their native Georgia. Both Elena and Eugene’s fathers are in New Jersey for work and the hope of prosperity, and both Elena and Eugene’s mothers experience unhappiness with the new setting, albeit for different reasons and in different ways. Eugene’s parents express their disaffection through isolation, while Elena and her family—particularly her mother—build friendships in their new community. The white family’s isolation curdles to hostility during Elena’s meeting with Eugene’s mother, who openly expresses her aversion to Elena and the other residents of El Building. Cofer thus illustrates the culture shocks that both sets of parents have experienced, as well as the habits, traditions, and biases they have brought with them to a place they are reluctant to call home.

The children’s experiences differ from those of their parents. Eugene does not seem to share his mother’s prejudices and would likely be happy to create a new life for himself in New Jersey. However, his parents’ racism and his own regional identity conspire to isolate him; his peers make fun of his accent, and his mother thwarts his friendship (or possible romance) with Elena—the only person to have reached out to him and shown him kindness.