Book 1 Post 2

 “America Like Me” by America Ferrera features a collection of immigrant stories, and it has been fascinating to read about their diverse experiences. As an immigrant child who has lived with different cultures, I related to many of these stories, encouraging me to reflect on what it means to be American. Each story shows that being American isn’t just one thing but a mix of backgrounds, challenges, and successes.

One topic I connect with in the book is how it talks about belonging. Many people in the stories struggle with fitting in, dealing with stereotypes, or feeling torn between cultures. Carmen Perez recalls a time when the local police held her brother and her basketball teammates at gunpoint as they were driving home from a tournament. Although I have not been in her shoes, I understand the feeling of unfair treatment for not looking a certain way. One quote that stuck with me is, “As I watched my brother’s face being pushed into the pavement, I wished the police could see my brother the way I saw him.” Carmen’s story and many others show how much we all want to be accepted for who we are, no matter where we come from.  

It’s also interesting that many stories shed light on how parents express love in different cultures. For example, Randall Park shares that his parents rarely verbally expressed love and showed affection by working hard and having food on the table. Having Asian immigrant parents myself, I deeply resonate with his experience. I feel like having your mom cut you fruit after school or yelling for you to come to eat dinner after an intense argument (almost like nothing had happened) is a universal experience for many Asian-American children. Roxanne Gay talks about her difficulty setting up boundaries with her parents. The lack of boundaries makes their love feel rather suffocating at times. It was funny that her mom and dad consistently “stalk” her on Twitter for life updates.

As I keep reading, I’m inspired by the people’s resilience in the book. Despite facing tough times, they keep going and believe in making their dreams come true. Their stories encourage me to be proud of myself, embrace my background, and work for a fairer and more inclusive society.

 “America Like Me” dives into complex subjects but presents them in an engaging and accessible way. Each story pulls you in and keeps you wanting more, so reading never feels like a chore. Unlike some books I’ve read for classes, this one doesn’t feel forced or dull. It strikes a nice balance between light and deep, making it an enjoyable read. I’d definitely suggest it to others.

Comments

  1. ChloeFebruary 19, 2024 at 6:54 PM

    Hi Hannah! I really enjoyed reading your blog post and how you connected the stories shared in "America Like Me" to your own experiences. I think it is important to remember that "American" doesn't mean just one thing and we should work to create a society where all different perspectives and backgrounds are celebrated and included.

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  2. Alyssa CustinoFebruary 20, 2024 at 4:41 PM

    Hi Hannah! I really liked how you connected some of the stories shared in the book to some of your own experiences. I also read this book and I was very impressed by the resilience of some of the celebrities. I found it very authentic and comforting to know that even some of our favorite celebrities have gone through very human experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alexis SantosFebruary 23, 2024 at 12:20 PM

    Hey Hannah, I loved your insights on the book and can relate to them as well. Being able to learn about all these diverse experiences can really change your perspective on things in life.

    ReplyDelete

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