If I Survive You

This story, which focuses on Delano, continues to examine how the experience of immigration influences familial relationships. Simultaneously, as in previous stories, this story takes into account how socioeconomic status and racial identity are key players in shaping the experience of immigration. Delano’s wife has recently relocated to California with their two sons. Central in her decision, at least from Delano’s perspective, is that Delano was unable to maintain their standard of living after the 2008 crash. Given the intersectionality of race, culture, and socioeconomic status, this discontent over financial hardship is far from superficial. Hurricanes also continue to feature prominently, and in this story, their neighborhood is battered by Hurricane Irene, compounding Delano’s issues.

In examining the interplay of the challenges immigrants of color face, Escoffery strives to make clear how any disadvantages related to socioeconomic status, racial and cultural identity, and family dynamics feed and fuel one another. Although their marriage had initially been happy, Delano and his wife, Shelly-Ann, grew apart after the 2008 crash. Delano’s business had struggled in the newly difficult economic climate, and without a safety net—a common circumstance for immigrants of color—Delano saw his quality of life suffer. This new challenge, building on the theme of Immigration and Fraught Family Dynamics, introduced a source of strain in his marriage. Although Shelly-Ann’s income was not affected, she began to miss their old standard of living and grew frustrated with Delano’s lack of ability to provide for their family. The growing tension was also exacerbated by their gap in cultural identity, tying into the theme of Immigration and Cultural Identity: Shelly-Ann had little patience for Delano’s passion for reggae. Ultimately, she chose to leave him and relocate to her mother’s home in California.

The theme of Intersectionality, Socioeconomic Status, and Race is thus of special importance in this story. Delano’s disintegrating relationship with his wife, which is undermining his relationship with his sons, is connected to his socioeconomic struggles. His socioeconomic struggles, in turn, relate to his racial and cultural identity. In this way, Escoffery shows how immigration continues to affect life in multiple ways, even long after a family has made its move to the United States. The kind of opportunities (and safety nets) that are available to the privileged classes are unattainable not only to Trelawny but also to his brother, even though Delano works in a much more desirable field than Trelawny.

Hurricane Irene, although not nearly as damaging as Hurricane Andrew, is an important symbol of this story. As in previous stories, hurricanes continue to represent complex family problems, which in Escoffery’s writing are inextricable from socioeconomic, racial, and cultural factors in the United States. Hurricane Irene in particular also represents a source of financial difficulty for communities in Miami that are already disempowered by socioeconomics and racial identifications. Delano and his work partner hope to make some money off the storm; however, they struggle to do so before of pre-existing socioeconomic difficulties and problems related to racism. Namely, their truck is in still the shop, unavailable due to non-payment, and Delano’s potential employer, much like Cukie’s father, Ox, has exoticized and sexualized Delano, culminating in unwanted advances. In short, Delano has few options. Escoffery places his readers in situations that prompt them to consider the characters’ desperation and frustration, even as those characters make questionable decisions. This representation, in many ways, is accurate for many small, independent businessmen of color in the region.