The American Project...I thought that this article was very interesting and made some really good points that could really make you think. One statement that was made when it said that just the idea of speaking English does not make a person American. But to reduce the culture of some one makes them lose the depth of their culture and really is not good for them to do. It also talks about how the parents of these immigrant children are aware of the fact that the kids are going to need to have the skills of conpetencies, social behaviors, and know about the world around them if they are interested in becoming a success person and to really thrive in their situation. I thought that it was really interesting to think that the parents are going into this whole thing about having to learn things in order to be an active member of the society and to really thrive in their lives. This means that the parents are fully aware of what the child is going to be gaining as well as sacrificing for this new place where they are going to be living. I also thought that it was interesting that the article flat out says that if they are going to take on some of the American roles and such that they are going to lose a part of themselves and lose some of the culture which is so important to them and their family. This is one of the first times when we have read something that says this is not a good thing to take away from them what they are used to and what they are used to and trying to make them into something that they truly are not. I am glad to hear that someone else is thinking along the same lines as I am and know the consequences that may come from changing them and what these children are used to. The next part of this article which makes another point that is related is when it talks about how those immigrants who come into direct contact with the middle class and mainstream culture are going to have to have some trade offs to be a part of that and be accepted into this group. I think we have talked about this in class many times about how a person is going to have to give up some of themselves to be a part of the new culture. What this reminds me of is actually girls and even boys who are in the junior high and high school age group. This is because it is at that age when they are trying to make friends and have people of various groups like them and accept them. I think that many kids at this age start to act like someone who they truly arent because they want to be accepted by those who are popular and around them. I know from my own experience, that everyone wants to be liked and have friends so at times they will act differently or be some one who they arent because of the fear of not being liked. I think that I even myself went through this for some period of time and then once I got to my senior year especially realized that if people arent going to like you for who you really are then they really arent your friend or someone who you want to spend your time with. I think that this is the same idea for the immigrants. They should not have to change themselves or what they think or believe for the culture that they are in. I think that if people who let them be themselves and accept that it would be easier for those who are trying to be a part of the world. I think everyone has their own thoughts and feelings and that is why they are who they are and that is what makes people themselves and individuals. However, if we take that away from them then we are going to a bunch of people who are like each other and you arent going to have the individuals and special things that make everyone themselves which I think will be very sad and not good for the world around us.