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 American Like Me by America Ferrera

I recently read American Like Me, which is a collection of personal essays curated and edited by America Ferrera (a renowned actress and USC Alumni!). This book focuses on the personal stories of various actors, activists, athletes, and writers, regarding the experiences of growing up with multicultural identities. Additionally, themes of identity, cultural duality, belonging, resilience, generational differences, and the challenges of navigating society, are highlighted in these stories. I chose this book because I was interested in learning more about the struggle (that even people who are deemed “successful” and “famous” face) regarding culture and identity in America. I was drawn to this book because when reading the description, I felt that it resonated with me on a personal level. I understand what it is like to grow up in a household where my own identity feels questionable. I often reflect on my Latina background and feel like my upbringing does not fully align with traditional expectations. Reading the testimonies of these individuals, who also share diverse perspectives, interested me; especially in the way they highlight both the challenges and triumphs of navigating American society while maintaining cultural heritage.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book (and it was a pretty easy read too)! The essays were very honest, thought-provoking, and often got deeply personal which I appreciated. I really loved how each contributor shared their own unique perspective on identity and belonging, which made the book feel relatable even if their backgrounds were different from my own. One of the main takeaways I had was that there is no one true “American”. I always hated when people said America or big cities in the US are like a “melting pot”, as I thought it invalidated the experiences of different cultures. But the truth is, it is not a “melting pot” per se, but there is definitely more than one "ingredient" to America. Ferrera portrays how there is no one way of being an "American", as every American is uniquely shaped by their own culture, family, and personal experiences. If you are someone who enjoys reading testimonials and stories that challenge traditional narratives regarding identity and culture, then you are in the right place. Ferrera does a great job portraying the MANY truths of growing up in America (and you should trust her because she is literally named America).

Even, if you feel that this theme may not resonate with you specifically, this book has several powerful and eye-opening stories that offer a lesson for every type of person!