• A brief summary of your selected Ted Talk (that was not the one used in this post)
• One quote and citation from one of the Ted Talks (that was not used in this post)
• A summary of your book
• One quote and citation from your book
• A clear answer to the question with a connection to your information

*You can complete these in any order that creates a well-written response*

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 accomplishments 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?

In the Tedtalk What Marrying an Immigrant Taught me About Cultural Bias, Kyle married a woman named Isabelle from Brazil and they fell in love. When they moved back to the U.S they experienced many troubles trying to get her a license and green card. She deals with alot people judging her and not treating her the same. She is told to get out of line because she only had a temporary green card. She stayed calm because she was used to being treated differently because of where she is from. “It takes at least three to four years, a big investigatory process, numerous interviews, hefty fees before you’re even considered for the permanent green card. Isabelle and I have been married for more than three years and still don’t have one”. (Quinn 4:20). This quote is good because it is one of the adversities Isabelle has to go through. 

What has your character gone through? Have they handled their adversities well? How similar are their barriers to the characters in my book?

In my book, The Other Americans, A family moves from North Africa to America. The story starts when they are already in America, right after the father and husband of the family gets killed in a hit and run. The family mourns his death while also trying to solve the case of who killed him. Members of the community set out to help them, Like the daughter, Nora’s friend Jeremy, an Iraq war veteran, a detective named Coleman, and Anderson, their neighbor. They witness and face numerous issues as far as solving a hit and run, but also issues associated with being an immigrant, illegal or not, “Araceli lived down the street from us in Tucson. A plump woman with big hair and a cackling laugh. She called the police to report a neighbor who was beating his wife, and when they came to take her statement, they found out she didn't have her papers. Before she knew what was happening to her, Immigration was at her door.” (Lalami 12). This highlighted how many immigrants cannot rely on law enforcement or are afraid of law enforcement out of fear of what they might do to them or loved ones. The immigration process already puts an emotional and mental load on someone, but losing the person closest to you when you’re trying to rebuild your life is even more damaging. “My mother began to weep. Loud, unguarded sobs that made her face flush and her shoulders heave."( Lalami 5). It’s easy to feel defeated when you work so hard and keep losing in life. Unfortunately the case goes cold and the family never finds out who took their father and husband. The story takes on a dark tone in the end because Nora and the rest of her family have this emptiness and feeling of being alone, because they came to America to get more out of life but, in time everything has a way of slipping through their hands. 

Where in your novel do your characters experience more difficulties upon being in the United States? Is it the immigration process, discrimination, fitting into the culture, or something else?

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

In "What's missing from the American immigrant narrative" by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez she discusses being separated from family and how it impacted her life and how she struggled with the separation but she worked hard and succeeded.  

“I had to watch helplessly the pain and hurt that it caused my family to be apart”(Gutierrez). This connects to the question in that they felt disconnected from their family and it only made them work harder so that one day they can see their family. 

In The Field Guy To The North American Teenager  By Ben Philippe, my character moved to Texas with his mother and he really dislikes Texas and misses being in Canada and being able to see his father. He figures he needs a job so he gets a job at a barbecue place. Norris, who was struggling to find friends in Texas, gets into the football and cheerleader friend group because of a girl named Atari who he  started flirting with. Norris and Atari are constantly fighting and arguing about going to prom with him. Norris Had begun drinking heavily and before he went to prom got drunk. At prom he finds Atari with another guy making out and he tries to fight the guy and they begin arguing with her and all her friends. The days after prom all the people who thought he was friends stopped talking to him and he was constantly hungover and Ended up in a jail, which led to his father bringing him back to Canada.  

“Mom, Dad, he looked back and forth between their faces which mirrored his own. Thank you for everything you've done for me. I want to go home now, please.”(Philippe 325)

The connection between my book and the question is my character feeling disconnected from his whole life in Canada and began lashing out in Texas and in the quote you can see his happiness in going back to Canada

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

In "Don't feel sorry for refugees- believe in them” by Luma Mufleh, she talks about how refugees need to be supported and encouraged. Many pity refugees, or treat them like scum. Refugees are also humans, who were forced to flee their countries. However when they come here they are treated terribly or extremely pitied. This isn’t fair to them, and they deserve better. They all have their own stories, facing difficult circumstances. Though they remain hopeful, because they have each other. They are strong, having to face all these circumstances. “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) Even though refugees shouldn’t have to leave their homes in the first place. While they are here they should be treated like humans, supported, and respected.  

In my book Rani Patel In Full Effect by Sonia Patel it talks about a young Indian girl in Hawaii. Rani is bullied and teased for who she is. She lives with her mom and dad, who are in an arranged marriage. One day Rani is out and catches her father cheating, which was something she has suspected without proof.  This event turned her life upside down, and she shaved her head in response. Rani’s father, Pradip is a terrible person, who has abused her most of her life and caused suffering to the family. Pradip emotionally abuses the mother which makes her constantly want to end her life. Growing up Rani has always fixed their marriage problems, and stopped her mother from ending her life countless times. During these times, her dad sat watching, doing nothing. Rani knows this is a situation she can't fix. The mother  has always obeyed her husband, done all the work, and overworked herself. She never stood up for herself, choosing silence. However the father comes home and says he wants the girl he’s cheating on her with to come and live with them. After Rani and Pradip have an argument for the first time about the situation. The mother finally stands up for herself and says she wants a divorce and tells him to get out. The father continues to try and get his way. Pradip also gets family members that live outside of Hawaii to call Rani. The family members are also trying to manipulate and convince her father to move back in with his new lover. He also confronts Rani in the store she works at. Instead of having a civil conversation with his wife. Pradip with his new lover chose to emotionally manipulate Rani in public. However Rani doesn’t fall for any of these tricks. She ends up cutting off all hope she has with her father. Hope he will change, love her and his wife, and be a good dad. Pradip ends up almost hurting her, but Mark steps in. Mark is an older man whom Rani has practically fallen in love with. They end up going out. Unfortunately for Rani, Mark ends up being a former druggie. He ends up getting back into drugs, and sexually assaults Rani. ‘“Stop,” I whisper. It doesn’t come out like the scream I want. I try to shove him off me. With one hand he grabs my hands and holds them over my head. “No, stop.” I can’t get my legs to kick him off me. He has me pinned down completely. He reaches below with his free hand to his groin. “Stop…” “Shut up!” He moves his hand to cover my mouth. Then, sharp pain. I try to scream again but his hand seems to sense it and presses down harder. Fade to black.” (Patel 243) She has gone through these difficult circumstances alone. Eventually she was able to build a relationship with her mother and tell her everything. However, when going through everything she did, Rani had no supporters and tackled everything on her own.

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

At one point in the story Phuc’s father beats him so badly on his butt and the back of his legs with a metal rod, that he can’t sit down in school the next day. His second grade teacher, after several prompts to sit, calls him to her desk and he breaks down to explain why he can’t sit. She decides to call his parents and asks to visit. During her visit, Phuc is forced to wait in his bedroom, terrified this interaction will cause him to be beaten again. When she leaves, his father explains that she told them about the incident and how parents in America can’t hit their children as much as parents in Vietnam, and to Phuc’s surprise, his father heeds her words. He reflects, “My father didn’t beat me that week. Nor the next week. And he didn’t beat me for the rest of that school year. It was a long reprieve for me, and I was thankful for it.” (Tran 67)

Based on this idea and the ideas from your book, what are examples you’re seeing of where Americans aren’t explaining things clearly to immigrants and it’s causing problems? Or where, after a brief explanation, are simple things resolved after clear communication?

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

In the Ted Talk “Why children of immigrants experience guilt—and strategies to cope,” Kholi is a mental health therapist and helps children of immigrants to talk about their experiences. She talks about the difference between the cultures or way of life between immigrant parents and their children.Kholi said that  “Many children of immigrants feel a chronic sense of guilt for letting their parents down, for not being enough, for being too American, for seeming ungrateful.”(Kohli).This Ted Talk is a great example of growing or getting over guilt because Kohli has helped quite a bit of kids get over their tough thoughts of guilt. 

In my book Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvestor. Victoria and her family moved from Peru to Florida. Victoria has had hip dysplasia since she could remember and has had many surgeries and operations to try to make it more tolerable. She has met a boy at her apartment complex named Alex who moved from Houston, Texas. She has just recently found out that she most likely will be getting a hip replacement at the beginning of her senior year and right when she started her new job at the mermaid cove. She feels quilted because she wants her parents to be proud of where she has come, but they don't approve and she just wants to be happy. Veronica feels  “The unbearable regret of knowing it's your fault that their sacrifice wasn’t worth it.”(Sylvester 51). This shows how she felt at the beginning of the novel, but she has grown and learned to not overthink the guilt that she has. She started to believe that she was enough, “It's mine. My choices. My comfort. My decisions.” (Sylvestor 63). This shows her growth because she started to believe that she could make her own choices and decisions.

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

At one point in the story Phuc’s father beats him so badly on his butt and the back of his legs with a metal rod, that he can’t sit down in school the next day. His second grade teacher, after several prompts to sit, calls him to her desk and he breaks down to explain why he can’t sit. She decides to call his parents and asks to visit. During her visit, Phuc is forced to wait in his bedroom, terrified this interaction will cause him to be beaten again. When she leaves, his father explains that she told them about the incident and how parents in America can’t hit their children as much as parents in Vietnam, and to Phuc’s surprise, his father heeds her words. He reflects, “My father didn’t beat me that week. Nor the next week. And he didn’t beat me for the rest of that school year. It was a long reprieve for me, and I was thankful for it.” (Tran 67)

Based on this idea and the ideas from your book, what are examples you’re seeing of where Americans aren’t explaining things clearly to immigrants and it’s causing problems? Or where, after a brief explanation, are simple things resolved after clear communication?

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

This issue seems to fade into his thoughts often, and even when he’s accepted into a new group of friends, all cursing punk skaters, he can’t let go of the fear that he’ll continue to be stereotyped, “I hadn’t consciously chosen to be a nerd but had somehow drawn those numbers in the social lottery of sixth and seventh grade. This never mattered to me until I cared, and the weight fo this sudden awareness suffocated me…I know knew that I wanted to be a skater, but wanting that was not good enough. The group could still deem me a poser…someone who tried too hard to belong.” (Tran 135)

Based on this and what you’ve read in your own book, how difficult is it for an immigrant to become their own person? Are there times where they aren’t defined by their culture or other stereotypes?

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned

This issue seems to fade into his thoughts often, and even when he’s accepted into a new group of friends, all cursing punk skaters, he can’t let go of the fear that he’ll continue to be stereotyped, “I hadn’t consciously chosen to be a nerd but had somehow drawn those numbers in the social lottery of sixth and seventh grade. This never mattered to me until I cared, and the weight fo this sudden awareness suffocated me…I know knew that I wanted to be a skater, but wanting that was not good enough. The group could still deem me a poser…someone who tried too hard to belong.” (Tran 135)

Based on this and what you’ve read in your own book, how difficult is it for an immigrant to become their own person? Are there times where they aren’t defined by their culture or other stereotypes?

For participants: 

-Never use a peer’s real name, only use their username

-Respond to the question based on your book, not your personal opinion

-If the question doesn’t directly apply to something that appears in your book, be clear about what you’re seeing instead

-Make sure to include a summary of your book so far

-Include a quote with the proper citation to give context to your answer

-Reply to one other participant in this group

-Acknowledge your lead’s reply to your response with a comment that clarifies information, offer a question to them about their book, or simply give a thumbs up

To exceed: Reply to three other people in this group, or two in this group and one in a group you weren’t assigned