Final answer:
A thesis statement for the common theme in Okita's poem and Cisneros's story could be that American identity transcends heritage and appearance, instead arising from lived experiences and personal sense of being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unifying theme of American identity, as portrayed in both Diane Okita's poem and Sandra Cisneros's story, transcends cultural heritage and physical appearance. A strong thesis statement reflecting their common theme might be: 'In their respective texts, Okita's poem and Cisneros's story assert that the essence of American identity is defined not through external cultural symbols or ethnic background, but through an individual's lived experiences and personal sense of being.'
This thesis statement effectively names the two texts in question and clearly communicates their mutual theme, which challenges traditional notions of identity by suggesting that one's identity as an American is influenced by a myriad of factors beyond just heritage or looks.