As Latin American nations fought for their independence and attempted to establish themselves as new nations, they faced the challenge of having to develop an identity national as well as finding their place within the Western Hemisphere. Some Latin Americans saw the need to develop an American identity that celebrated the diversity and potential of Latin American nations and challenged the Western powers they overthrew not long ago. Others sought to Westernize or at least open up to Western ideals and relationships, drawn by the desire to develop in European ways and perhaps maintain political and social structures that maintained certain privileged classes within Latin American society. And the United States, of course, as an emerging power on the world stage, has looked after its own interests in Latin America and has certainly developed a certain vision of the American continent as a whole. And even though these competing visions often seem very different, people often support certain elements and sentiments of both. In the second half of the 19th century, a tension emerged among Latin American writers between the need to be postcolonial and to rely on what is Latin American and the need to modernize, particularly in relation to the United States. United. Say no to plagiarism. . Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay In 'Our America,' José Martí extols Latin America's rich history and culture, laments growing influence external powers in its affairs and calls them into question. Latin Americans must claim Latin America for themselves. Martí, considered one of the fathers of Cuban independence, proclaimed the greatness of Latin America and rejected the idea that it should compare itself to Europe or try to imitate it. He argues that the Latin American politician must "know the elements that make up his own country and know how to bring them together, using methods and institutions native to the country", rather than being trained in European governing conventions or North American. Following this institutional criticism, he asserts that "the history of America, from the Incas to the present day, must be taught clearly and to the letter, even if the archons of Greece are neglected." (124) Thus, he actually calls on Americans to develop a national identity that values ​​truly American stories and ideas. This identity must also reject intervention by the United States, whose ways are also foreign to the rest of America and whose interests and intentions should not be trusted. “The contempt of our formidable neighbor,” writes Martí, “who does not know us, is the greatest danger in our America. » In his letter to the editor of the New York Herald, Martí, however, sings a very different tune: defending Cuba's struggle for independence, explaining the otherness of its people and inviting the United States to support and get involved in the development of the new nation. Martí spends most of his letter detailing why Cuba needs to break away from Spain and how oppressive and extractive the nature of Spain's relationship with Cuba is. However, when he speaks about Cuba's identity and its emergence as a new nation, his tone is much more moderate and less invigorated, and lacks the call to greatness that was present in "Our America." What particularly stands out is his apologetic tone when he talks about the »..