Talking Point # 2

Aria - Richard Rodriguez

1. " In an instant, they agreed to give up the language. " pg 1

I didn't know how to take this line. I understand he needed to learn English, but to completely give up their language is wrong in a way. I know everyone who lives in America should speak English, not just because its the major language but because it makes their lives easier as well. I come from a family where both of my parents speak portuguese fluently and only my mother can speak english and portuguese fluently my dad does speak english but not perfectly. I grew up speaking english to my family but i learned when i got older to speak portuguese because i think it is a huge part of a child's life to know where their families come from and be able to speak to their families in their language. I also think it is a good to know more than one language because so many people in America are from different countries and need to be assisted as well.

2. " I was an American citizen. But the special feeling of closeness at home was diminished by then." pg 2

I think that is one of the saddest lines. By him feeling as if he finally belonged, he then loses his family. I can't understand why it had to be like that. There are many families who are still connected even with language differences. He came from a family who was so close and then just because of the language it all broke apart.

3. "So they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality."

I am not really sure what he means by this. I'm thinking he means that a person will suffer their own individuality if they only care about what the society will think of themselves, instead of what they think of themselves. If that is the case then I think people shouldn't care as much what society may think of them. Instead of trying to fit in they should stand out and be the person they want to become.

I enjoyed reading this, it was a very easy read. I could relate to it more than the other stories we have read. Thinking about my own experience and putting it with this I understand more why he needed to speak English and they understanding of public and private individuality. I come from a family where my parents had to chose to raise me with Portuguese or English as my primary language. It was almost a disappointment for them to see their child not speak the language while I was growing up. I didn't learn Portuguese until after I had already know English very well. I think it is very important for people to know where their families come from and be able to speak their language. It can be sad to not be able to speak to your own family or relate to them anymore, like what happened to Richard.

Talking Point # 1

Peggy McIntosh - White Privilege

1. "this is not such a free country" p. 5

- I completely agree with this quote. We are suppose to live in a country that is free but we have so many rules and regulations that we really are not free. As she lists her 26 white privileges, many people can relate to them because most of them are true. How can we be free when the country is not just to their citizens. How come males get paid more or have higher positions. When i tihnk of being "free" I think about having equal rights to all people.

2. "Whiteness protected me from many kinds of hostility, distress, and violence" p. 5

- This quote i can not believe and is unjust to all people. How is that fair, just because someone isn't white they should feel fear for their lives. No one should be in fear because of their skin color. I can understand though where she gets that from. I know there is still racial problems and stereotypes. I just can't imagine people actually being this way.

3. "I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege." p. 1

- The first part of this quote I agree with. Many people do not recognize white privilege, but maybe that is because they are white. I am sure that people of color see white privileges differently and in a almost harmful way. Not sure what how I want to describe that but tried anyways. I don't agree with males getting better jobs and better pay how is it fair? As said before we do not live in a just world. I can't understand why it is like this or will it ever change? I know it is getting better for women but will it ever be equal?

- I enjoyed reading McIntosh, it was an easier read than Delpit. McIntosh made a lot of sense in what she wrote about. I can relate better to this reading than Delpit's. I think this reading is the opposite of Delpit and more like Johnson's. There are many aspects in this reading i just can't imagine people going through. This piece really brought out the many aspects of racial and social inequality the some people take for granted.

About Me

Hi, my name is Liz Pimentel I'm 18 my birthday is coming up soon on October 5th so I'm excited =]. I am on my second year at RIC and I am going for special education. I can't wait to be a teacher! I work two jobs, on the weekdays I work at a daycare in Cumberland and on Saturdays I work at Dunkin Donuts. my family and friends are extremely important to me. I love dancing and traveling and just having fun!!