Update on Almost a Woman, by Esmeralda Satiago
Recently I read pages 1-8 in Almost a Women, by Esmeralda Santiago and I like it so far because the poverty she undergoes and the reasons for her family coming to Amercia is a sad reality. Reading about her life and the conditions she lives in would put any ungrateful person in shame.
One line from this part of the book that stands out for me is : " This isn't Puerto Rico, Algo te puede suceder" I think this ironic because my mother tells me the same thing. Everytime I stay out late my mother warns me that America is a dangerous country and to be aware, but I disagree, I believe that everywhere you go there is potenial danger whether were in America or Puerto Rico.
Another line that stands out to me is "I couldn't speak english, so the school counselar put me in a class for students who scored low on intelligence test , who were behavior problems." This stood out to me because not speaking english is not a disability and often the board of ed uses this as an excuse to put immmigrants in a special ed class. This is a reason why alot of intelligent students don't progress in school and end up dropping out before they reach their freshman year. It just let's me know that the American government makes sure immigrants always remain a minority.
This section of Almost a Women reminds me of something that happened to me. One time in the first grade I was recommended to a special ed class because I didn't speak during class. MY mother knew me well and knew that I was an intelligent individual. Till this day I wonder where would I have been if my mother would of agreed.
What probably is going to happen next is Negi's mother and younger brother are going to go to the hospital to see what they can do to save Raymonds infected foot from getting amputated.
I am looking foward to reading the rest of this book because I hope to make a deep connection with the writter because I'm also hispanic and I know how hard life can be in America for a different race especially when they are a minority.
