In “The Good Immigrant Student” the author, Bich Minh Nguyen, speaks of her experience as an immigrant child in school. She was often bullied in school because she wasn’t American. She was very shy, silent, and obedient as she states in paragraph 8. In paragraph 28, Nguyen says, “I would like to make a broad, accurate statement about immigrant children in schools. I would like to speak for them (us). I hesitate; I cannot.” I think she’s trying to say that she can’t speak for everyone because not everyone had the same experience as her just because they’re an immigrant. Even if they did, not everyone would react the way she did. Just because she chose to become invisible doesn’t mean that every immigrant would make the same choice. Take her sister for example, she chooses to be rebellious as stated in paragraph 28.

When speaking for an entire group of people, one can never make a “broad accurate statement”. Not every immigrant child gets bullied in school and not every child reacts the same to the same experiences. Let’s look at the LGBTQ community, another minority group. Oftentimes you hear how people have a hard time coming out to their families. However that’s not the case for everyone. You also hear how people within the community are bullied and made fun leading to suicidal thoughts but there are people who stand up for themselves. You can’t make a broad ACCURATE statement for an entire group of people because that statement wont be true for everyone.

Most people who are incarcerated choose to just survive every passing day until they have served their time. However, that was not the case for Malcolm X. He chose to expose himself to a whole new world through literature. Oftentimes, people overlook the power that came with it. The adventure that comes with reading and the imagination that comes with writing. Malcolm X exposed himself to this new world and in doing so he became more knowledgeable. In his narrative he states that “ In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life”. He felt more free than ever before even though he was still incarcerated which is ironic.

This goes to show the power that literature holds. It has the ability to make one feel free. When you’re reading you forget about all of your worldly problems and for a second or even more and in that time there’s nothing for you to worry about. No bills to pay, no job or school to worry about and in Malcolm X’s case not being incarcerated. Your only worry is the choices the characters you’re reading about might make. Same goes for writing. You have the freedom to decide how the story will play out. You’re in control and can make your characters do whatever you want.

The knowledge that Malcolm X picked up through literature changed his mindset. In the narrative he states, “My homemade education gave me,…a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness, and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America”. This awareness played a part in pushing him to join the civil right movement as a black nationalist and an advocate for pan-Africanism.

Language played a huge part in Amy Tan’s life. She didn’t just use one style of speaking with everyone. When it came down to school or work, she spoke clear English that everyone could understand. However, when it came down to family, she spoke “simple” English. She didn’t need to use big words or speak professionally when it came to her family. This is because she grew up using “simple” English and she understands it perfectly and so does her family. Growing up using simple English did not stop her from learning native English, but it did affect her own perception of herself and family. Her mother to be more specific. As she stated in her narrative “…when I was growing up, my mothers “limited” English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English limited the quality of what she had to say That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect.”. She thought that just because her mom didn’t speak perfect English her thoughts didn’t matter. She became aware of her language biases when she was giving a talk to a group, a talk that she said she has given many times before, but this time her mother was in the room. Because the way she speaks with her mom and the way she speaks with other people are so different, it made her more aware of her different styles of speech.

Since I also come from a non-English or semi-English speaking family, I do believe that many people who learn English as a second language or grow up in immigrant households are aware of the many different ways language is being used. The way I would use language with my friends is not the same way I would use language with my parents. Just like in Amy Tan’s case. For me, it’s not just about respect. I respect my parents. However, the way I talk with my parents is not the way I would talk at work or school. Respect is important, but so is understanding and comfort. I’ve always been aware of the ways language is being used around me because it helped me become more socially comfortable.

Hi everyone! My name is Aichatou Ibrahima but I prefer to go by Aicha, the “c” is pronounced as an “s” (her/she). My intended major is Biology.

   For this course, I am most excited for the group discussions and blog posts. I am also excited for the argumentative topics we will be discussing. However, I am very nervous and anxious for the essays and exams that we will be doing. English Language Arts has never been my strong suit. I always struggled with essays and I still have to work on my procrastination problem. 

    There are many qualities in good writing. For example, good grammar, clarity, and how interesting it is to the audience. In order to be a good writer you have to continue looking over your work for any grammatical mistakes you might have missed. You have to make sure that your sentences make sense and are understandable so that you don’t confuse the audience. Your sentences should flow together and not be all over the place. Start your work with something that will make the readers want to keep reading. It is important to be able to write well because you will be able to express yourself non-verbally without any misunderstandings. You will be able to use the right tone and emotions to send the message you are trying to get across without having to worry about misinterpretations.

    There is no easy part for me when it comes to writing. However, the part that isn’t as difficult for me as the rest, would be outlining. Outlining helps me get all my thoughts down in order so that my work won’t be all over the place. I also think that I am able to express myself well through most of my written work. Now, the hardest part for me when it comes to writing is starting the work and staying focused on the topic. As I mentioned in the beginning, I need to work on my procrastination. I think that that’s what’s holding me back from improving my writing skills.

    Since I am majoring in biology in order to become an OB GYN or Pediatrician, I’ll be expected to write biographies, lab reports, and visual analysis papers. I’m not really sure how being an effective writer will impact my opportunities but I think that It’ll help me do my job better.