I am aspiring to research the grimy details of my relatives story. As not all of my family has followed the same route, some have found life more difficult. This story of his is one of many intricacies as being a part of two minority groups. “Where are you from?”, to my first cousin, is nearly synonymous with “How are you?” There is so much to uncover.

I grew up in a home governed by a Laissez-faire approach to education. It laid out two potential pathways for the way I would view education. The first path could have negative ramifications, where I would see higher education as an unnecessary use of time. The other had a positive impact, where I would seek out higher education as a way of becoming a more well-rounded member of society. My parents decided to raise their children that way because, as the children of immigrants, they didn’t see education as vital. Their parents never valued education and didn’t even finish secondary school. My parents saw the way they turned out and decided that education is not a prerequisite for success. For the first twelve years of my life, I journeyed down the first path—never reading, never studying, never learning. As I grew up and wanted to become a more independent member of society, I diverted to the second path—working hard, setting goals, and placing school atop my list of priorities. That change resulted from a deeper look into my ancestral roots and the educational stereotypes that I fall under. As a Jewish with Hispanic and Syrian descent, I fit two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to education stereotypes. The Jewish reputation for a religion consisting of relatively high amounts of lawyers, doctors, accountants, and businessmen constitute an idea that Jews are generally well educated. The Hispanic reputation for a group of immigrants that are likely to become labor workers has led to the idea that for us, education isn’t important. It wasn’t until attending high school that I became exposed to these to contradictory stereotypes and it motivated me to prove everyone wrong. I used my family of immigrants as motivation to seek out higher education because, as a minority, I want to represent my heritage in a way that goes beyond the boundaries that others have set upon Hispanics. The discriminatory viewpoints set upon Hispanics in the world of education has discouraged us a whole to acquiesce to societal standards.

For my research based argument, I will be arguing the issue of stereotypes made by today’s society. Just because there are stereotypes the world gives us, does it mean we have to live by it? Now, everyone in the world has some sort of stereotype they live by but I am mainly focusing on the stereotypes given to the young black community. I will be covering everything from stereotypes about personal appearance to stereotypes of how we should go through out living life trying to get an education and becoming something in life. I find it very disturbing that it’s a shock to the world when a Black person “makes it out the hood” or becomes very successful in a typical “hard-to-do” career. It makes me feel as though they believe blacks are only supposed to make it but so far in life.

On my research based argument, I will be writing about the effects technology is creating not only within the educational system but english language. As a foreigner, I am aware of the lack of technological advantages latin american countries have, leading to a completely different learning strategy. Is technology helping us or is it damaging us? My parents always complain how easy we have it. Back in their days, when they were working towards their degree, computers didn’t exist, not to mention, the internet. Having to go to libraries, and dealing with index cards, was the only way to get through a research paper. They both managed to finish their degree, with a much stronger understanding of different topics, than our generation learns today.

I would like to base my research argument on the current situation and how Muslims and Muslim immigrants are treated not only in the United States but in the world. Ever since the 9/11 attacks, all Muslims in the United States have been attacked due to the actions of a few extremists and more recently prejudice against Muslims has increased due to terrorist groups such as ISIS and the remarks made by Donald Trump. Donald Trump has said he wants to ban all Muslims from entering the country and as a son of a Muslim immigrant, I find this extremely disturbing. My thesis statement would revolve around the recent immigration policies established by the United States as well as the immigration policies discussed by Presidential candidates.

Perhaps it has to be with growing up in the South Bronx, or perhaps it was because my parents could not speak English, but at at times, I’ve felt quite distant from society. It all started when I moved back into the United States at the age of 7. My parents having obtained an education no higher than middle school picked up low-income laboring jobs. They worked arduously at retail stores and at restaurants, and we managed to rent a small apartment in the Bronx. What I’m going to argue is that social mobility is not determined by hard work. My parents are extremely-hard workers but they are still considered as low-income even after endlessly working for decades. In addition, I want to examine segmented assimilation theory. In the neighborhood I grew up in, they were mostly low-income and full of children who did attend schools, but were instead involved with gangs. I want to analyze the socialization of immigrant children and their struggles with assimilating into society with constraints from their peers, their cultures and themselves. What is the role of culture in a child’s education? Are there any benefits of knowing both your native language and English? From this paper, I would like to examine my own childhood, growing up in a different environment.

My thesis or argument needs some work but it will be something along the lines of “There needs to be more programs or scholarships specifically for first generation college students”. I am a first generation college student. I will be the first person in my entire family to graduate college. It takes a village to put me through school. Everyone chips in, everyone helps. I will be the first person to have received a bachelor’s degree, and I do not intend to stop there. School has been the most important thing to me and my family. Nothing trumped school. School was like church. Education was the key to enlightenment, freedom from ignorance and poverty. To be taking part in higher education and be a member of an institution for higher education is a privilege, yet it should be a right. I believe everyone should stay in school, everyone should pursue education and have the right and the resources to do so. Things that college has taught me are priceless. It has taught me responsibility, accountability, time management, multitasking, professionalism, hard work, and last but not least I have learned so much from the actual subject content in my courses making me a more conversational, articulate, and well rounded individual; and I am not even done yet.

Some questions that arose from my literacy narrative was what are the actual economic and social consequences of not being an American Citizen? I want to look at the bigger picture and see what are the differences between immigrants who stay undocumented or who are denied citizenship with citizens. I was to analyse the wage gaps, the percentages that seek college education, and other injustices they experience. The argument i would want to pursue with these questions is that a immigration reform should be pushed that allows all immigrants legal or not, to be able to apply for U.S. Citizenship. I would need to find sources that have statistics regarding immigrant welfare. My target audience would be American citizens that are indifferent or opposed to said immigration reform. I would attempt to persuade them through my cousins anecdote and numerous statistical sources  to support a policy that would grant all immigrants citizenship.

America is definitely a melting pot of different peoples and cultures since freedom was established on July 4, 1776. Although I cannot trace my family routes in Eastern Europe at that time, I do know that my ancestors from five generations back immigrated to this country in search of religious freedom. This is evident in most families today and it is safe to say that many come to this land of opportunity to seek a better life in all respects. My great great grandparents, who were Hasidic Jews, immigrated by boat to Ellis Island at the turn of the century. Life in Europe was ripe with Anti-Semitism and there were many pogroms aimed at Jews because of their religious differences, which clashed with the local government. One might envision the last scene of Fiddler on the Roof, where Tevye and his family leave Anatafka in Czarist Russia to escape death. This might seem melodramatic, theatrical, and unrealistic, but in fact if a member of your family had been living in America already, you had a connection for immigration.

Because it was so difficult to practice Judaism freely in Europe, there was a great appreciation once they arrived in America. One of the benefits to this newfound freedom was the choice to maintain and enjoy our Jewish heritage and culture. Because many Jewish groups came over in a lot of the same transports, families came together and extended families remained close, which created strong family ties and religious practices. My great grandparents became founders of their synagogue Sons of Israel in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. They were also active in many Jewish organizations, such as Bnei Brith and Hadassah. This devotion to their religious affiliation was monumental and instilled in their children and their grandchildren and presently in their great great great grandchildren the importance of practicing our religious Orthodox Judaism freely and happily.

I am writing this for all peoples who enjoy religious freedom today, even though they have been through the trials and tribulations of Anti-Semitism, racism, or any forms of discrimination, for those to be able to appreciate the opportunities given to us, here in America. I am also validating and affirming the importance of my traditions, which would not have been made possible if it were not for the dedication of my ancestors and their strong desire to pass these customs and traditions down for so long. Had my ancestors been able to read this, they would get great pleasure in knowing, it was because of them, we have been able to attain tremendous dedication to their beliefs for at least four generations later, and hopefully for many future generations to come.

In my paper I would like to focus on the lack of emphasis on native languages for children of immigrants in the United States. I asked a question of why does this happen? I think my answer is: because of the importance of the English language and the social stigma surrounding the incapability of speaking English fluently. I would have to look at sources that hit on the “universality” of the English language, and how powerful it is. I’d also look into why English is so powerful and the implications of that. How are native languages de-emphasized? I believe this occurs through the process of education [learning Standard English and so on] and “Americanization.” (I might hit on the notion of American Exceptionalism here, if it relates?) The effects of the lack of emphasis on English is my purpose which includes the loss of cultural identity, the inability to communicate with family (this is where my personal story comes in), and perhaps more if I find research on this. I could do research on larger political implications and how vital it is for America to stay diverse in languages. [ Perhaps the dbate that was mentioned in the beginning of the semester of making English the national language.] I could tie in how a diverse and multicultural environment stimulates learning and growth. My audience includes those in my thesis: the children of immigrants, such as myself. I guess I’m reaching out to them and telling them to focus on their roots. Indirectly, I’m also targeting those who claim that in America, English is supposed to be the sole language, and showing them how such a case would be detrimental to all.

I plan to look at the value of a college degree and whether or not it is worth pursuing.  Parents often look at education as being the only way to make a good living because that is what they were brought up on.  With college being as expensive as it has ever been and with so many opportunities to pursue something without a college degree, it might just not be worth pursuing a degree.  Much of the material they actually teach can be learned through other means at a cheaper price.  It’s basically just paying for the experience and having a degree to say “I graduated from college.”  My audience will be those people who are debating whether or not to attend college as well as those who firmly believe a college degree is the way to go.  While I understand the reasoning behind people wanting to pursue high levels of education, I want people to understand that investing if you were to invest that same amount of money and time into yourself, you can come out just as well if not better than those who end up getting their degrees.

I want to write my research paper about how children that are gifted and talented should receive extra resources, and programs should be funded by the government in order for them to receive their properly targeted education.

Another idea that I would possibly want to write would be that the teaching of a second language to children at young ages is beneficial i the long run, and there are many studies and statistics that can help with this argument.

For this project I have decided that I want to explore and research the amenities that immigrant students, or any students whose first language was not English, are provided with in terms of education. Being an “ESL kid” myself, I also want to share my story in order to demonstrate the hardships that I have endured. I would like to find out if the experience that I had is similar to the average student’s in New York City. In order to do that I have to research information about ESL programs and which schools do and do not offer them; I would also like to see how many students are in need of such programs and how many are not provided with them.

I think one of my audiences for my argument could be my fellow students who have not had a similar experience and may be interested in finding out what it is like. Another audience could be policymakers in New York City who are responsible for providing such programs in public schools.

In my literacy narrative, I focused heavily on the Persian side of me and how the Persian mentality plays a role on education. I think for this paper, I may stray a bit away from that side, and talk more about the Jewish side of me, specifically in regards to Jewish education, also referred to as Yeshiva Education. A Yeshiva is a Jewish institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts. Since K through 12, my siblings and I have attended modern orthodox yeshiva schools, and so we had a dual-curriculum (secular and hebrew studies) and long days (usually from 8 to about 5pm). Jewish families choose to send their children to Yeshivas for many reasons: to maintain Jewish values and traditions, community purposes, to retain the Hebrew language, etc. However, Yeshiva tuition is very expensive. Some people have considered the idea of Hebrew language charter schools as a possible solution to the Yeshiva tuition expense problem. Hebrew language charter schools are publicly-financed K-8 schools teaching Modern Hebrew to religiously, linguistically, and culturally diverse students. Since 2007, these types of schools have emerged in cities all over the United States. Because these schools are publicly funded, they’re curriculum is very limited and also irreligious. In my paper I would like to explore the charter school options, possibly through the Jewish sense, and discuss whether or not their school’s philosophies will be able to fulfill the goals of a typical day-school Yeshiva. Though my parents did not send me to a Hebrew language charter school, I feel that it still relevant to my personal story as I have grown up in a two language home (actually three, including Farsi) and also have experience with Yeshivas. The purpose of my paper would probably be discussing the success or failure of language-specific charter schools. I’m not 100% set on this, but I thought this would be very interesting to research!

I would like to write my paper on how learning isn’t confined to just a classroom setting and how informal learning plays a significant role in our daily lives.  My audience would be our class as well as the general public and anyone who has access to this piece. The purpose of my project is to show that there are various ways to learn besides for the traditional classroom setting and that one of those is informal learning. The argument I could make based on experience would be how I have learned a great amount from outside of school and how my parents have both ingrained in me that learning doesn’t start or end in a classroom and that learning can happen anywhere at anytime. The argument I could make is how informal education should be valued more in the U.S rather than looking down upon it and only valuing a formal education. There are many skills and certain jobs that don’t require a formal education but are important to society and should be valued more. I want to research how important formal and informal educations are. I’d also like to research how common core affects the way students learn and process information and how it competes against countries that value multi-modal learning methods.

For my paper, I want to focus on how racial stereotype affects education. Also, I want to argue that everyone can be good in anything. My audience would be students (Asians, and non-Asians) and adults in general. My point is to prove that not all Asians are good in math. Also, it is through to our background and how hard we work. It is also important when it comes to how motivated are you in your subject. It is a matter of if that person wants to be good at it or not. Due to this stereotype, I hear some people saying, “Oh I do not have to be good in math because Asians are good in math.” Based on my experience, people were raised in a way to believing certain things about other races, and that’s a problem. I would need to do further research of racial stereotypes to prove my point. I would also want statistics and facts to back up my point. I am looking forward to find related studies material, so I can relate to. The purpose of my project is to inform and persuade my audience that these stereotypes are not valid. It all comes down to if that student is willing to learn. Do not let anyone tell you that, oh that is an Asian, White, Hispanic thing, just follow your heart.

Based on my literacy narrative, I’ve always been wondering if it’s necessary for an Asian Tiger Mom to have complete control over her child in order for the child to “succeed”. On a larger scale, I want to research how different styles of parenting affect the growing child currently and in the future. Using evidence from my research and personal experience, I would like to argue that it is not necessary to have an Asian Tiger Mom. The child can still succeed while growing up mentally healthy. I began a little research and I would be using journals from various psychological associations and a credible source describing what an Asian Tiger Mom is. I hope that through my argument, there would be less Tiger Moms enforcing strict schedules on the children due to a change in mentality coming from the Tiger Mom.

The central argument I plan to make in my research-based paper is that education is supposed to be an avenue by which the underprivileged can go as far as their talents will take them, but that today it achieves the opposite: ensures that the no one except the privileged can go to college without taking out a crippling amount of debt.  I will point to my parent’s experiences to show the shortcomings of our education system historically.  And then I will bring in my own story to show how these shortcomings have only been exacerbated in the last 30 years.  I plan to look at the issue of college affordability through the lens of the underprivileged, with emphasis placed on America’s ideal of social mobility.

I plan to write about why the Dream Act would make an impact to society. The argument that I would prove is that the undocumented students would go to college and it would prove that they would be resisting stereotypes about the minor groups mainly the Hispanic community. By bring this topic up it would also bring up immigration policies. I am an undocumented student but with the help of DACA I’m able to go to school and work. But with the Dream Act it would make going to college and getting my education less stressful.  I would include my thoughts about this situation because I am dealing it first-hand. I would also include someone who is also dealing with this issue and someone who isn’t and how that would affect them. The audience for this argument is college students. I would want them to either learn about this legislative proposal. The purpose for this project is for people to be aware of the Dream Act.