Rodolfo Gonzales portrays the battle of culture and customs in a clashing society in his poignant poem " Yo soy Joaquin/I am Joaquin". Rooted strongly in his Mexican heritage, Gonzales acknowledges the lost economic battles of his ancestors, and their ability to maintain their culture. The poem is told in a tone of hope and pride in and of his people and their need to endure and educate the youth culture. The fight for the future of his people can only be won by realizing the painful and triumphant victories and defeats he has endured. .
Many people come to America to achieve the "American dream" sacrificing their culture and traditions of their native land along the way. Society is a white washed Christian world where people prostitute their dignity and morals to get ahead. Gonzales observes the effects modern society on his culture and pridefully states "I am Joaquin" with such conviction it sets him aside from white society. The trials and tribulations he endures living in a society that condemns him because of his cultural background make up the body of the poem. .
Gonzales continually stresses to his children the massive amount of struggles and hardships their ancestors had to endure to keep their culture and heritage alive, " I must fight and win this struggle for my son's and they must know from me who I am." The stories in the context of the poem serve to spark hope in his children of their own abilities to keep their heritage alive. Gonzales writes with pride, "I have endured in the rugged mountains of our country. My fathers have lost the economic battle and won the struggle of cultural survival." Gonzales acknowledges that indeed his ancestors have indeed lost many battles, but he maintains his pride being optimistic and realizing that " I am still here." .
Gonzales's pride for surviving the task of living in today's society is prevalent when he states, "I am the masses of my people and I refuse to be absorbed.