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3. Group G---crsimpson27 (replacement)

Last post by crsimpson27, 3 months ago

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In Phuc Tran’s book, Sigh, Gone, he discusses the difficulty of figuring out his identity as an immigrant in a mostly American neighborhood. From questioning his name to determining where he fits in the social structure of his high school, Tran has to navigate learning who he is with an additional barrier to the average teenager, having a whole other culture as a large part of his life. As he ages, he realizes that he wants nothing to do with his Vietnamese heritage and works hard to present himself as anything but an Asain nerd stereotype. By the time he reaches middle school, his parents have been able to move into a house in a new part of town. Phuc takes this opportunity to reinvent himself into a full punk skater. No matter how hard he tries, however, people often slip back into only focusing on he’s clearly not white. Finally, as he’s getting close to graduation, he feels like he’s made a version of himself that he likes, but even when he should be having a moment of joy, it’s overshadowed. People still single him out, “With the leaden weight of gook slung around my neck, I was dragged back in my place at the familiar bottom. Back to ‘Nam. It didn’t matter that I was going to speak at graduation or going to Bard or that I was on the prom court or any of that crap…I was still, shocking even to myself, a gook no matter how hard I tried not to be.” (Tran 283) Similarly, in “Don’t feel sorry for refugees—believe in them” by Luma Mufleh, tells us, “We have seen advances in every aspect of our lives—except our humanity.” (Mufleh). As a refugee, the grandchild of a refugees, and someone who runs community programs for refugees, Mufleh is disgusted with the treatment the United States, and the world, have toward how they treat people who have been forced out of their homes. In one circumstance, a boy is jumped while playing outside of his apartment, waiting for her, and is badly injured, strictly because he was an immigrant. His family had been lucky enough to be in the .1% who get to resettle in the United States after escaping the Taliban in Pakistan. What she notes is, despite all of the targeting and ignorance she sees with refugees, she also sees the good, “Their journeys are haunting. But what I get to see every day is hope, resilience, determination, a love of life and appreciation for being able to rebuild their lives.” (Mufleh). To be continued to be treated this way, despite all of the accomplishment and innocence of a young adult trying to do their best, it really speaks to the culture that Americans have toward immigrants, especially refugees. Based on what you’ve seen in your own book, and the other Ted Talks, what is missing from the American mindset and culture to create a better environment for people coming into our country? What needs to change for these people to experience more success and acceptance?

By jennifer.... 5 months ago
Yes, Sol does go through these things, she doesn't know who she needs to be for her family and for herself. We even see at one point in the book when an American kid fought Bruno, because Bruno was Mexican. This shows that the Mexicans are not always accepted and usually can be bullied or judged.

By crsimpson... 3 months ago
I agree, the government rejecting immigrants relates to people not accepting the immigrants in my book, many people got judged and even Bruno got into a fight with an American kid because the kid didn't accept him. the government disagreeing with this is a good example of immigrants not getting good treatment.

By crsimpson... 3 months ago
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3. Group C---tgeusz27 (replacement)

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3. Group C---gpelletier27 (replacement)

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3. Group A---vrigoischenet26 (replacement)

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3. Group D---llovering27

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3. Group B---jgreenwood27

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3. Group B---caustin27

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3. Group E---csimpson27

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3. Group E---gbehne27

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