From the classroom of Courtney Kleffman (SDAWP 2020)
“Mexican American Disambiguation” by José Olivarez examines the complexities of bicultural identity and explores what it means to be Mexican in the United States. In this lesson, students will read and analyze the poem before crafting their own poems of disambiguation. The companion slide deck created by Courtney Kleffman is an easy-to-use teaching tool.
What strategies or resources do you use to help students reflect on their multifaceted identities? How do you support them in embracing every part of who they are, understanding that identity is both fluid and inclusive?
Step 1: Listen & Read
How does Olivarez play with the concept of identity and explore the messiness of it?
Listen and Read—“Mexican American Disambiguation after Idris Goodwin”
Watch—“Mexican-American Disambiguation”
Step 2: Read & Discuss
Highlight all of the labels that Olivarez names throughout the poem.
Round robin:
- Read a word, phrase, or line aloud that you felt had particular impact
- Share your thinking, wondering, and/or connect.
Step 3: Write Your Own Disambiguation
Think about your own relationship to identity. Disentangle all of the various versions by writing a disambiguation using some aspect of your identity.
Student sample:
“…call themselves empowered
who are strong after they are put down
which should not be confused with equals
men might call it similar
that’s the strength in me
though the two are cousins…”
Link to lesson reel HERE.
Resources:
Mexican American Disambiguation slide deck from Courtney Kleffman
José Olivarez website
“Mexican American Disambiguation” Lesson Plan from LMS Curriculum
Teaching Citizen Illegal from Teach Living Poets (includes a slide deck for introducing students to Citizen Illegal and “Mexican American DIsambiguation”)
Listen and Read: “Mexican American Disambiguation”
Watch: “Mexican American Disambiguation”
More by José Olivarez:
Home Court (co-author)
The Poetry Gods (podcast co-host)
SDAWP Voices 