American Like Me Post #1

 September 8th 

American Like Me by America Ferrera

Oh man, do I wish I would have had the opportunity to read a book like this when I was younger! When Prof Hansen talked about this book in class I knew it would be an exceptionally relevant read and that it would resonate deeply with me. Growing up I definitely struggled to understand my cultural identity, and it took me many years past my childhood to realize my racial and cultural differences were not anything I should have ever tried to disguise. 

"It took a long time of defending myself to realize I didn't have to. Not to anybody. I am who I am. I am what I am." - America Ferrera

The parts where America Ferrera and Reshma Saujani describe their inner conflicts with their names really hit home! Basically, when my mom got pregnant she agreed to let my older brother and sister pick my name. My brother and sister agreed to pick a perfect white name for me so I could be spared of the hassle of a Mexican name no one would be able to pronounce. My sister's name is Guadalupe and my brother's name is Cesar. They certainly weren't finding their names on any keychains, but they made sure I would. It's just kind of funny to me my parents were down with the idea because they can't pronounce Cynthia how it's supposed to. They say Cintia, and they spell it that way too.