About 2 weeks back there was massive protest at Borough Hall when I was getting off of the train. A the near by waffle stand there was a sign that read “America may not be great, but our waffles were always great.” and I was amused to see it. A stand using it’s second amendment right to protest and making a profit out of it. People were lined up at this stand and next to it, two tables were piled high with American flags going selling out. You could hear people shouting through bullhorns against president Trump’s new ruling against immigrants. This is relevant because no one was discriminating against anyone who had joined the protest, everyone was there for the same cause. No color, ethnicity or religion was taken into account from what I could see passing the crowd of protester. The cops stood on the sidelines chatting amongst each other, but letting their presence be known. it’s good to know that regardless of who is currently running the country, that there are people who are willing to openly protest in the name of the their country and their fellow countrymen. Although I may be a little bit a wimp and you would probably never see me participating directly in these protests. I made sure that social media got a whiff of this demonstration. Snapchat and Instagram both got pictures of the sign and the crowd of people, and in part I’d like to say I had a little impact on how loud and how far the cries of these people were being heard.

Hello everyone,

I found this article that relates to our central theme of displacement. This article is about a woman who invites undocumented immigrants from her neighborhood over to her home for dinner. This relates to our central topic because with our newly elected presidents many feel as if they are not accepted in this country. However, the group in this article welcome each other and make each other feel accepted in a country of separation and resistance.

If any one wold like to check out the article this is the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/realestate/home-politics-resistance.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FRefugees%20and%20Displaced%20People&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=collection 

Andre Aciman’s story about his search towards finding a place in New York that resembles his old town Alexandria is a concept that I can relate towards.  When I was younger I use to live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the southside area until I had to move to a different location. In this new location, I felt out of place and just like Aciman I was trying to find something that resembles my old neighborhood. There’s was a park across the street from my new location called Rudd park and I always enjoyed going there because it resembled Rodney park back in Williamsburg. Although Rudd park wasn’t exactly like Rodney park it still reminds me of my old neighborhood and childhood experiences. Aciman came to the conclusion that he’ll never find a place in New York that resembles Alexandria and I also came to that conclusion, but in my new neighborhood, I can still find remnants of my ideal place which is Williamsburg.

Amy Tan’s story about her mother’s broken English and having to pretend that she is her on the phone is quite common in the family that I lived in. My mother have experience the same thing that Amy Tan’s mother have experience. Whether it is on the phone, department stores and hospital they do not treat my mother’s issue seriously or give her good service. I remember the time that when my mother first time put me on the phone to pretend that I was her. It was not a good experience because to me it felt weird. The fact is that I am not her and having to pretend that I was gives me pressure and uneasiness. But the thing is whenever I was on the phone they would offer new service and opportunities, on the other hand, my mother receive none. It’s like your done and hang up. The reason for that was easy to figure out they do not want to spend time talking to someone who do not know how to speak English. Over the time I understand that knowing how to speak in English gives people more advantage. Allowing people to get opportunities and better service. Even now I still rejected being put on the phone to translate and just wish someone would take the place.

In Amy Tan’s essay, she speaks upon her mother’s inability to speak proper English. To others, her English might not be fluent enough to spread her message across, but to Tan, she understands her fully without any difficulties. She is even able to visualize in her head what she is saying. Although she speaks “broken” English, it does not determine her intelligence. When her mother spoke in English to the doctor to find out her CAT scan results, the doctor did not sympathize with her. However, when Tan spoke English fluently to the doctor, he made promises to call her up for a conference on Monday and apologized for his actions. Relating to Tan and her mother, my mother and I have experienced a similar situation. At home, she has great interest in perfecting  her English and would rely heavily on google translator. I am able to understand her when she speaks to me in English even if it is grammatically incorrect. However, her co-workers struggle to understand her. Whenever I am with her outside at a supermarket or at a store, I have to help her translate because she struggles to get her words out. To sum up, the language barrier does not and should not determine one’s intelligence. Everyone should receive the same respect no matter what language they can or cannot speak.

Just a reminder that we are changing rooms! Our new room is 17 Lex, room 1302.  We will be meeting there for the first time on Thursday, February 8th.

Amy Tan’s story about the journey she experienced with her mother hits home. Many immigrant children can relate to the commitment Amy made to her mother. She had to translate and speak a special “English” to her mother to ensure that she comprehended what was going on around her. Amy’s mother showed interest in the English language, she took the initiative to read articles. She did not just learn a couple of English words to survive in society, she was interested in improvement. Regardless of the fact that she tried her best, she still faced difficulties and judgements by those who associated her level of English with intelligence. Amy’s mother is an example of what it means to be displaced. In a society where others spoke more advanced English than her, she was stamped with negative tags. People didn’t acknowledge her creativity and vivid descriptions, the fact that she comprehended more than what she was able to communicate, or her honest attempts to improve her English skills. They saw her as a non English speaker and linked her with negative stereotypes.

Growing up as an ABC, American Born Chinese, my relationship with my mother has been very similar to Amy Tan’s. Throughout Amy Tan’s essay she incorporates a lot of different experiences with her mom that reveals her mother’s English and the effect her mother’s English had on the way she was treated. Similarly, I was and am in the same boat as Amy Tan but, with my mother she does not speak English at all, not even “broken” English. At a very young, as far as I can remember, my mother’s language barrier led to others treating her differently in American restaurants, stores or just on the street. I’ve witnessed for many years the treatment is different from when my mother has a concern and needs help versus me, her daughter that speaks English has the same concern and needs help the attitude from majority of the public differs. The employees make assumptions about my mother who does not speak English  as less, less than people who do. Less respect, less tolerance, less compassion and just less. As if knowing English makes one superior and more well educated. The example Amy Tan gave about her mother not taken seriously, given good service and ignored  at department stores, banks and restaurants are prime examples I’ve witnessed as an adolescent and coming to the realization of the problem.  It’s evident because once I translate the  questions or concerns my mother had the response differs meanwhile it’s exactly what my mother was trying to express but, two different responses from the people. It’s made clear in many situations that the language barrier is a disadvantage in how people interactions are altered and the perception of that person changes. Although, Amy Tan at first was ashamed of her mother’s limited english I’ve never been ashamed of the fact my mother did not even speak English. For me, it is clear that even with the language barrier my mother has been able to overcome this barrier and survive in this country for decades therefore, it is evident to me that English is not and does not make on superior, smarter or better than anyone else. It’s just a language and fitting in is not what  is most important. Intelligence does not come from language. My mother not speaking English has actually taught me all my life that people will be disadvantaged and treated unfairly but, it does not mean there’s no hope or good that’ll come out of it.