Blog 23

The speaker in this story has some insecurities. He wishes he could go up to the front of the train and look out the window, but doesn't want to appear odd to anyone around him. He's very self conscious about how people around him see him. He has these issues because his mother is depressed, and sometimes he can hear her crying about how she wishes she had never had kids. This can have a huge impact on a kid's self-esteem. I think his experience with Herbie has helped him. He takes note at how Herbie, even though mentally handicapped, is completely confident in his actions, and goes up to the front of the train and steers it with his toy. He just waltzes up there. This has impacted the speaker greatly, and the next day, he has gained enough confidence to go up and do what he wanted to to: look out the front window.

This story relates to my life in the way that I used to be very self-conscious about everything I ever did in social situations. Social anxiety used to defeat me, but when I gained a few friends with confidence, I noticed I became more like them over time, and I'm doing much better. This video comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zzfdlxjx4Y

Blog 22

Gage went through some obstacles as a young immigrant to where he is today. He risked his life to leave his country, and was treated differently in the US. He was put into a special needs class because he couldn't speak English. He learned English later and was interested in college.

I'd have to say a few of my friends are a positive influence on my life today. When I'd be going through hardships, they would actually go out of their way to pick me up, and I would do the same for them. One instance is when I needed to walk out of a class because the bullying problem was getting out of hand. One of my friends actually joined me later in the office and we talked and realized how close we actually were.

Blog 17

By the end of the conversation, the person conversing with the Native American may have learned a lot about them. He may have learned that Native Americans aren't just some stereotypical people who live in tepees and dance for rain. They are people, just like everyone else, especially in the modern world. The stranger could, however, have done a better job at inquiring the Native American. He could have not for one spontaneously asked if he was Chinese. He could also not have made so many assumptions and come off as unintelligent in the way he awkwardly went off in some areas, like nature and mother earth. He could have not begun to brag about how he or the people he knew were Indian or tried to relate himself to the Native Americans. He could have simply asked questions about culture, food, customs, and what it's like modern day.

Blog 16

Immigrants face a new world of opportunity when they move to a new country. They can make many choices on what they can do. They could bring their culture and what they do at home with them, or they can blend into the new world and become one with it. Sometimes they will speak the language of the land they live on, and sometimes they will speak their native tongue in their home. Some people see the new land as just a new land, and they should still act as though they are home, and will marry only people of their own race and class. Others will dive into all alternate choices.

The author's grandmother reacts in disappointment as she learns he falls in love with a "Chinese" woman. His mother is indifferent as long as he's happy. This shows the cultural barrier between the generations. The author could be so concerned about not marrying a Mexican because he wants to be completely assimilated into the American society and grab at his possible new alternatives in life, and not be stuck with what his family expects of him purely for cultural reasons.

Blog 14

I've been stereotyped against my age. Because I am not an adult, all my opinions and thoughts do not matter, and nobody will bat an eye to what I have to say about how the world is running. I felt as though I cannot speak, and I am only allowed to spectate this world until I grow, only to say the same things again, and then people listen. I've been stereotyped against my race. Because I am white, I am racist whenever the topic of race comes up. I "owe" to groups of people, for what my race has done to them, when I myself haven't done anything wrong. I was the "weak little white boy" growing up on the south side of Milwaukee, and I was looked down upon by my Mexican 'superiors.' I felt worthless, and subhuman. I felt as though I wouldn't amount to anything of their standards. I felt hated and belittled.

I don't stereotype against people (or at least I think I don't) because I know how it feels, and it is very disrespectful and hurtful. Stereotyping has a tremendous effect on people. They are psychologically molded by what is expected of them if they don't know any better. They can be influenced in negative ways. The effect can be no different than being bullied. They have to deal with people assuming they are what they aren't, and they can question their identity.

Blog 13

The author of Random Thoughts on Random Hair refers to America's attitude toward race as a "whack color game." It's a whack color game because it is a distorted perception on color and personality. He is Japanese, but not exactly; and he is African, but not exactly. He is a rare mix of Japanese and African, and not everyone is completely used to seeing people like him, and they react in different ways. He might feel down, because America is supposed to be a melting pot, but he is feeling left out, especially after his experience on the bus where he is denied a seat by middle-schoolers for being mixed. America at times focuses on race along with stereotypes in some areas. There are black stereotypes, white stereotypes, Asian stereotypes, etc. Some people within these groups even set 'standards' for people like them. For example, the black boy on the bus may have had a 'standard' of true black, when he was disgusted at the author for being a mix. This can greatly affect how people identify themselves. They may swing from liking one part of their heritage to another. In this case, the author would like to be a unique person with his unique hair, but admits, "or maybe I just wanted to escape my blackness..."

Blog 15

I believe our book contains memoir pieces so one can really dig into the mind of the person who wrote it. Multiculturalism could mean nothing to people if they cannot relate in the simplest human sense.

Memoir writing is suitable to exploring cultural diversity, because they are primary sources of not only information, but real life memories and emotions. These are all conveyed through their writings, and the reader is engulfed in all of this, almost as if they are actually there with them. A bridge of understanding is built between the reader and the author, and the reader and the culture.

We as humans are naturally curious beings. We are also very social, therefore we love to spend our time with others and talk about ourselves. It synchronizes our minds in a healthy way, and we grow wiser. We love learning about other people because their differences fascinate us. Our lives are nothing like others', and when we learn, we are intrigued and can't stop eating it up.