BOOK 1, Post 1 Assignment

American Like Me by America Ferrera

I have chosen American Like Me by America Ferrera because I am interested in reading about the personal narratives that explore identity, culture, and the immigrant experience in America from a list of very influential and famous people. This book is a collection of essays from various individuals, including actors, activists, athletes, and writers, who share their experiences of growing up with multicultural identities. I was drawn to this book because when reading the description, I found details of experiences that I resonate with. I understand what it is like to grow up in a household where my own identity is questionable. I often question my Latina background as I often feel my upbringing does not align. Not only am I a guerita, (which means “white girl”), but I grew up going to a predominately Jewish private school, do not speak that well of Spanish, and my parents were born here. Reading the testimonies of these individuals who also share diverse perspectives interests me, especially the way it highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating American society while maintaining cultural identity.

So far, I am enjoying the book, and I do find the stories to be both relatable and eye-opening. From what I can tell, each essay is going to offer a new unique viewpoint, and I appreciate how the contributors share their personal struggles and moments of pride in their identities. Funny enough, my dad, a former US Marine, was so close to naming me “America”, but it never happened because my mom did not want me to deal with all the problems and remarks America experienced in her childhood. So, this book touches me a bit more than it might for others. While I have only read America’s excerpt so far, I LOVE IT. She says, “I may have been a whitewashed gringa in Latino groups, but I was downright exotic to my white friends.” That line is so funny to me, because it really is true as a Latino-raised AMERICAN. Ultimately, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how different individuals embrace their roots and gain new perspectives on how to manage yet embrace the famous "imposter syndrome" many face in America.

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