Book 1- Post 1

    The book American Like Me by America Ferrera, examines the personal stories of thirty-one of Ferrera’s friends  who were raised with immigrant parents and grew up with a connection to more than one culture, and we currently know them as actors, athletes, politicians, artists etc. Ferrera, who was born and raised in the US, was named after her mother who was born in Honduras on a holiday called Dia de Las Americas which is a holiday that celebrates all Americans.

This book is a collection of essays which encompass a variety of cultures and perspectives in order to fight back against “white-washed” American identity. The book starts with the introduction of America Ferrera and her childhood. “My name is America Ferrera, and at nine years old, I hate my name” (p.1). She explains that she has a lot of love and respect for the US, but she hated her name due to the bad memories she experienced following this name. For example, at school kids asked if her parents are “very patriotic” as a joke (p. 3). 

The first essay that is told after America Ferrera’s story is from a woman named Reshma Saujani. In her essay, Reshma tells a story of going to a Starbucks and having to use a different name (Maya) in order for the baristas to understand her name. This white lie is told easily by Reshma who at a young age of 14 (9th grade), was forced to answer a lot of awkward questions about herself and her culture to an audience of students. 

Overall, each story addresses identity and really works to tackle this idea of a white washed American identity.