Book 1 Post 2

  For the first book, I chose to read American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures. I really enjoyed this book and felt a personal connection with it. If you look around in any of your classes, you see that America has so many different cultures. Each person has a unique cultural background that comes with their own experiences. This can be a special and exciting experience, but it can sometimes be lonely and isolating. 


I was born in Las Vegas but my entire family is of Indian descent. I have always felt a constant struggle of not being Indian enough for my family, but not being fully American compared to my peers. I was ashamed of my differences when I was younger. I went to temple, at Indian food, and celebrated Indian holidays. I was embarrassed of my different culture and resented it. I tried to hide my differences. As I got older, I lost my Indian practices. I stopped going to temple and stopped celebrating Indian holidays. I ate Indian food less and less. Now, I regret losing that part of me. I wish I held on to my culture and could pass it down to my kids. It is scary how lost our culture got in just one generation. 


This book resonated with me because I saw that just because I let go of my culture when I was younger, doesn't mean it will be lost forever. I read many stories of people who came back into touch with their culture later in life. My cultural background is something I can reclaim whenever I want. I also learned from this book that I do not have to feel guilt or shame for not being as connected with my culture. Hearing others talk about their experiences put into words what I have felt my whole life. It showed me that I am not alone in those feelings. 


I also enjoyed this book because I got to read about experiences I have had. For example, the story about Reshma Sayjani not being able to find her name on a keychain or making up a Starbucks name. Or the story of Carmen Perez feeling lost as she did not speak the same language as her parents. These experiences bring different cultures together. No matter your background, these memories are shared by many. 

Comments

  1. Claire ZFebruary 20, 2023 at 2:47 PM

    Ariya,
    I really liked your insight about how losing culture at certain points doesn't mean it is lost forever, and how this book resonated with you because of this point. It kind of justifies what Ferrera was talking about in her conclusion, about how part of the reason she wanted to put this book together was to make people feel that they are not alone in their emotions about culture and their journey.

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  2. AbbyFebruary 20, 2023 at 9:51 PM

    This post was very well-written and I love how you opened up about your personal experiences. I can totally see how isolating it must be to feel in between two different cultures. It is admirable that so many people have shared their similar challenges so that readers feel less alone in their struggles. You raise a great point that your culture does not have to be lost forever. This book was very inspiring in how it uplifts readers to take control of their experiences!

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  3. Arman BalianFebruary 21, 2023 at 5:10 PM

    I loved the personal element of this post as it makes your review sound much more personal. Being a third culture kid is a really unique experience and I think that there is a lot to learn from it. I love your paragraph about culture not being lost forever, and I think it is a statement that many could benefit from hearing. I will definitely recommend this book to my peers and give it a read myself.

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  4. Queenie TFebruary 21, 2023 at 9:44 PM

    I went through many of the same sentiments you had when reading through American Like Me! I also have a lot of regrets about missing out on parts of my culture as a way to fit in more like the other *Americans*. It definitely feels uniting knowing that despite our varying backgrounds, we still share many of the same experiences and feelings growing up in immigrant households.

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  5. Naomie Di MartinoFebruary 22, 2023 at 2:24 PM

    I love how you opened up your post on how you look around and see a blend of cultures wherever you are in the United States. I can relate to you when you say you never felt completely Indian or American but I think this book serves as a comforting example that man other immigrants into this country have felt the same way. Loved your insight!

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