White Trash Primer, by Lacy M. Johnson

Based on the reading of Lacy Johnson's autobiographical essay, "White Trash Primer," the author hints at the family's life conditions when she states "-and you are grateful for each hem until the rich kids in your Sunday school don't look at you even when you sit right next to them." The children are grateful for what they have but acknowledge that they aren't wealthy.

The family is very religious, and the father humbles his children by reminding them that vanity is a sin and when possible, they are bought clothes even if it isn't all the time. It doesn't change the fact that the rich continue to be rich. This autobiographical essay represents a class in a white population that doesn't have the best living conditions. By describing the family's lifestyle and comparing them to the rich that don't seem to notice them, we get a sense of the hardworking poor society which is very different from the vain and ungrateful. For one to be classified as "white trash," you must be in a living condition where you must produce your own food and make your own clothing in order to get by. You cannot afford any luxurious items and instead of buying lunch, you prepare something before you leave the house. This family lives on a farm with 4 members of the household along with the animals such as cats and dogs. The clothes the sisters wear is made by the mother and only occasionally can they afford such things as panties and socks at Walmart. In the summer, the girls casually enjoy a day in the woods with their peanut-butter sandwiches. The father makes a living selling soybeans and corn, but it isn't enough, and his daughter must work at an early age in order to help the family get by. She also must juggle schoolwork because it's what she can do to make "something of herself." Overall, to be classified as white trash, you simply aren't privileged, and things don't come by as easily. You put clothes on layaway and use furniture tossed on the street because you can't afford it. You also must fog for roaches, wash your own car, color your own hair, and paint your finger and toenails because it's what you can afford. Instead of a house, you live on a farm. The example set is that sometimes it is more important to keep a job then attend school. It can also mean bad lifestyle choices, as the author stated, smoking cigarettes and going on dates with men that if you have  sex with, they'll buy you clothes and take you to nice places. The author's use of the words “you" and "your" changes the tone of the reading because it sounds more direct as if you are reading about yourself. I feel like I wouldn't have grasped much of what the author was trying to express to his readers if it was told in another point of view. I could visualize the story better because it is like I was the author reading this story to someone else.

Mukherjee  and "1\vo Ways"

Bharati and her sister Mira have both been living in the United States, however, the first difference between them is bluntly stated at the start of this narrative. That is, that Bharati is a citizen, and her sister Mira is not. It isn't something that Mira seems to believe in. What's ironic is that both these sisters believed in the same things, such as political and social issues and marriage, before they had left India to then take two different paths when they got to America. One obvious issue that changed between them is instead of finishing their education and heading back to India to get married, Mira married a fellow Indian student after two years of residing in America. Mira had hoped to study child psychology when she had gotten to America and now works in a school system where she is recognized for her contributions in the fields of pre-school education and parent-teacher relationships. Mira still felt passionately her Indian citizenship and planned to return to her country once retired. Compared to her sister Bharati, she married as well 3 years later but to an American student. These sisters grew up together in India yet live in different cities in America. Mira lives in Iowa and Bharati lives in Michigan. Bharati abandoned her country's traditions and values by marrying outside of her ethnic community and adjusting to a different lifestyle of blue jeans and t-shirts which is very different from her culture. Her books have been interpreted as texts of regret for having mixed two diff erent cultural classes. One thing these sisters don't have in common is the idea of holding on to Indian citizenship and still expecting American rights and benefits. These two sisters now have diff erent beliefs now that they are in America. Mira clings to her background and doesn't appreciate America as much for what it is because she still views herself as Bengali, yet Bharati can't seem to understand why Mira doesn't broaden her perspective to the culture of the American society. Mira simply feels a deeper connection to her country that she's never felt with America. She was drawn to it because of opportunity and was grateful for the creativity she was exposed to in America but that is about as close as she got to Americanization. She wasn't interested in changing who she was only improving on who she can become. Before moving, these two sisters only planned on staying for two years in America in order to secure their degrees and then return to their country for marriage. This changed for both sisters but in different ways. Bharati embraced her citizenship and even adjusted to the American language whilst Mira held on to her ethnicity and wasn't moved by the American culture. Mira never felt the need to be a part of the American community like her sister and was happy to reside not as an immigrant but a proud Indian.

Hwang's, Trying to Find Chinatown

Benjamin and Ronnie are two very different people who argue about what most represents them and their backgrounds as Asian Americans. The story starts off with Ronnie playing his violin as he then encounters Benjamin, a lost tourist, trying to find his way through Chinatown. Ronnie immediately feels attacked when he interprets Benjamins compliments on his music as an insult to his Asian culture. He immediately defends himself when his music is compared to a "fiddle" which he very much does not appreciate, especially corning from a Caucasian. This leads to a discussion on both of their identities because while trying to defend his music as well as his identity, Benjamin immediately clears this up by explaining he would never discriminate against an Asian because he too comes from that background. Ironically, Ronnie expresses himself through racist comments about Caucasians believing Benjamin is "white" by comparing him to a redneck, trailer-park refugee with a cob pipe. The music in this play relates to identity because it opens a discussion between these men that allows them to learn more about who they are and where they came from. In order to get Ronnie to understand he isn't offending him in a racist way, Benjamin states how he took Asian American studies to get a better understanding of his roots as an Asian. Although he appears white, he was raised as an Asian which he intends to clarify with Ronnie. At first it really surprises Ronnie how much Benjamin knows and the dedication it took to learn about the Asian culture, yet he still isn't convinced because of the color of Benjamin's skin along with his other physical features such as his hair and eye color. In my opinion, I believe that Benjamin isn't any "less" Chinese because of his biological features just like Ronnie isn't any "less" Chinese because he does not follow common Chinese traditions Benjamin is a Caucasian man who grew up with Asian parents and is only trying to understand his Asian heritage because it is what he was taught growing up as a kid. Just like you can consider someone family whether they aren't blood related, you can adopt to a different culture you were exposed to without having any genetic relations to it. You can be one race and celebrate another. It is like if I were born Dominican but was raised in a Caucasian family. I won't feel like I belong as a Dominican because I wasn't taught anything about that heritage. Through no fault of his own, Benjamin is only trying to express himself because although he may not appear Chinese, his family and surroundings growing up say otherwise. Ronnie is an Asian street musician but just because he doesn't practice his traditions as often doesn't make him any less of who he is. He can't identify as anyone else because he was still raised with knowledge of the Chinese culture. It's why he felt so off ended when he believed Benjamin was trying to make fun of him and diminish his race. He may not express it traditionally but Ronnie does make sure Benjamin understands he will not accept any racist comments. From this, I get the sense Ronnie is upset by Asian stereotypes but will not ignore that it's who he is and it won't change where he comes from. Therefore he isn't any less Chinese just because Benjamin knows more about Asian "roots" than him. Benjamin helps Ronnie realize that he should in fact embrace his culture and that of his ancestors.

"The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara

Sylvia is very descriptive of Miss Moore which allows me as a reader to get a better understanding of who she is and what kind of person Miss Moore is. She's described as black, to my guess, African American, wears no makeup, has proper speech, and had attended college indicating she was well educated. Miss Moore took it upon herself to educate the young ones which shows her dedication to the community. She even took the time to educate these girls during the summer time. Sylvia doesn't appreciate the good education she's being exposed to and would've much rather preferred to be at a pool or to go a show than studying arithmetic in the summer. Sylvia doesn't seem too interested in learning of the concepts of money such as how much one can earn and how much rent can cost. Only things a mature adult would know is what Miss Moore is trying to teach these kids, even though they show her that they could care less.

Once the group of students actually get to Fifth Avenue, it's obvious Sylvia is exposed to a new world because she describes the folks as crazy for dressing in stockings and fur coats. This brings me back to Miss Moore saying that they come from the slums because the girls automatically don't understand the way white people dress because they wouldn't dress that way themselves since it's not as affordable. Miss Moore teaches these young adolescents the importance of education through the cost of materialistic items. Instead of telling "Big Butt" he wouldn't be able to buy the telescope, she asks how long it'd take for him to save up. When "Rosie Giraffe" doesn't understand why a chunk of glass cracked with something heavy could cost $480, Miss Moore describes how it is a paperweight embedded with stones. Through this teaching, Miss Moore demonstrates that it is important to be educated especially about money so you can understand the true values of life. When asked how much a boat costs, Miss Moore tells Sylvia to do some research about it and then let the rest of the group know. I feel like since the kids are all interested in money and what you could buy with it, Miss Moore takes advantage of this in order to teach them things they can apply to real life. Since money is something we all have to learn to manage one day, Miss Moore tries to educate these students about it. By differentiating what different people are allowed to spend in their lives and asking the group of students what society they live in in which some people can afford to buy toys with the same money that others would need to feed their family of seven, Miss Moore gets these students to realize the importance of education on money. Not everyone lives the same lives but at least by understanding how money is distributed in society, they can understand why.

Amy Tan's, "1\vo Kinds"

I easily get a sense of the tone of this story when I read of what America means to Jing-mei's mother. It's a world of opportunities that she wants her daughter to take advantage to have the best possible life she can. It's normal to want everything for your children especially when you’ve lost everything. It was important for her that Jing-mei be someone whether it be rich, famous, or a prodigy which is why she would try and force talent on her and try to make her into something that she isn't. As much as it disappointed her mother to see her fail, Jing-mei would always try her best. When Jing-mei's mother started to lose hope, she came across a TV show and was inspired by a young girl playing piano and immediately thought of her daughter. The piano signifies fame and opportunity because Jing-mei's mother sees it as a chance to become something great. Something Jing-ei could be her best at. Her mother felt so strongly about this that even though Jing-mei knew that they could not afford neither a piano nor piano lessons, her morn built a schedule for her piano practice lessons. In their very own building, was a man named Mr. Chong who was a retired piano teacher and because they couldn't afford to pay Jing-mei's mother traded housecleaning services for piano lessons. She was determined to push her daughter into becoming a prodigy which eventually drives a wedge between them. The piano also symbolizes and builds conflict between Jing-mei and her mother because she wants Jing­ mei to be someone that she isn't and refuses to accept her the way she is. "Not the best. Because you not trying." She gave a little huff as she let go of the sound dial and sat down on the sofa." This was Jing-mei mother’s response to her when she defends the Chinese girl playing piano on television which obviously shows resentment and disappointment. It's also why Jing-mei isn't motivated because as much as she does try it isn't appreciated. This eventually leads to conflict because Jing-mei feels unwanted and asks her mother why she doesn't like her the way she is.

Even when Jing-mei tried to practice and eventually got up on stage to perform in front of family and friends but her mother still wasn't moved because it was not her best performance. The playing of the piano raised so many expectations for Jing-mei's mother so when she failed at this, she figured what was the point of trying if she'll never be the best. Having this forced on her made Jing-mei feel like she'd never been born. It caused so much anger in them that she couldn't have the mother she'd wished for or been the daughter her mother hoped she could be. As much as her mother wanted the piano to be her path to success, it created anger. They had diff erent beliefs and the piano made them realize that. Jing'mei's mother felt helpless but eventually gifted her daughter a piano which shows that no matter what happens the relationship between mother and child will never change. After the death of her mother, Jing-mei sat down to play that piano and I think that since she finally felt at peace without any pressure, she realized she could. She just never wanted to be someone she wasn't.