Assignment #2: The New Americans Poem - engine of souls

Date: Feb 7, 2008

Assignment #2: The New Americans Poem

Date: Feb 7, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
Anyone that isn't from the U.S. and there race
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
They get depressed and pull them slefs in and don't do anything at all
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
i learned that its hard and been an outsider myself at a young age i know its hard learning English and all that, and not knowing what other are saying about you it made me sad but i had friends that talked my language and it got easier
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
i treat them like a normal person, there culture might me new to me and i want to learn so i ask questions
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
don't judge a book by its cover, because it tells you to get to know someone before you judge them on there look and cultures and other stuff

Date: Feb 7, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
In my opinion almost every minority group in one way, shape, or from has been considered outsiders or has been descriminated against. In our area i have seen many instances where comments have been made about Guatamalens.
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
when something like this happens, it makes people feel lost, and confused. In many cases immigrants are unaccostomed to American culture and the spoken language. they are already trying to cope with this "culture shock" and they do not need any more issues to deal with.
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
I realized that in many cases immigrants do not have much support in a new country so i would take it upon myself to assist some one that is being made fun of or someone that needs help with the language or schoolwork.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
i would treat them as i would treat anyone in need of help. I would assist them in any way that i was capable of because it is the right thing to do.
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
"You have to live in somebody else's country without a language to understand." this passage is very powerful becasue if you are new to a country it is difficult to cope but if you are not familiar with the language, you are at an even more of a disadvantage. it is very hard to learn or assimilate if you do not know the language of the area or country.

Reflection
this is a poem that can speak for many immigrants in America. They deal with a lot as newcomers to America. the culture is different. the language is different. everything is so different from what they are used to. in addition that have to deal with prejudice and descrimination. this is very hard to deal with and is something no one should have to go through.

Date: Feb 7, 2008

Lily D. wrote:

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
i treat them like a normal person, there culture might me new to me and i want to learn so i ask questions
this is a good way to learn from others and a way in which one can communicate. it is important to learn from others and become aware of different cultures from around the world.

Date: Feb 7, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
-Mostly people that come from countries that we arent used to the cultures. Like now, we are used to Portuguese and Spanish immigrants because theyve been coming here for a long time.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
-They might have low self-esteem or feel that they are inferior to everyone around them. Then they might want to leave and go back to their own country.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
-It helps me understand how hard it is for them to come here and adjust to new lifestyles. I learned that even though people have different cultures, they all have similar goals in life.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
-If someone is feeling like an outsider, I would treat them as a friend, and I would stand up for them if someone were to make fun of them, because I know how hard it is for them to feel comfortable.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
-What is it like when you walk in the street and everybody turns around to look at you and you don't know that they are looking at you.
Then, when you find out, you want to hide your face but you don't know where to hide because they are everywhere.- This passage is the most powerful because it can be true for almost everyone.

Reflection: This poem makes me angry at the fact that people actually do horrible things like make fun of people. I see it happen almost every day, and I want to help but sometimes I just cant. I think its awful that people get teased for being themselves. People need to realize that its not about the person you see on the outside, but its about the person on the inside that you need to get to know in order to understand.

Date: Feb 8, 2008

Blaine wrote:

Lily D. wrote:

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
i treat them like a normal person, there culture might me new to me and i want to learn so i ask questions
this is a good way to learn from others and a way in which one can communicate. it is important to learn from others and become aware of different cultures from around the world.

thanks blaine i awlays keep my mind opean to different things ^_^

Date: Feb 8, 2008

oops forgot one ^^
refeliction on the peom
the peom kind of defines it when u put and kid that doesn't know english in the class and they would feel wierd, unless you put them in a class where they can understand the teacher so they can learn better ^_^

Date: Feb 8, 2008

1. I would have to say mostly every dif. culture that americans are not used to. Mainly someone not from u.s.
2. I would say the person becomes a loner very sad and depressed and some kids might take it to another extent and do something to harm others that may be hurting them
3. It made me understand that other people really are harsh and its just not kids that may pick on them it may be adults and thats rude and I would like to help them out.
4. i would try to talk to the person and connect in with them some way

Date: Feb 8, 2008

1.What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
-I feel like most groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America. I don't think that a lot of people are excepted here and i feel like a lot of people, no matter how hard the effort to be excepted, ever fully feel like they're a 100% American because poeple are so quick to judge people from other countries.
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
-People just end up feeling so uncomfortable here that they have a negative opinion of most Americans. The consequence to that is the guilt that is placed on a lot of other Americans; knowing that because someone in your own country couldn't keep their prejudice thoughts to themselves has ruined the lives of people that didn't do anything and just wanted to be treated equally.
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
-I learned that people should really pay attention to their surroundings and say something when inapporiate questions are being asked, like when the teacher asked who wasn't born in America. It was rude, the teacher, though they may not a realized it, was pointing out specific students and making them feel awkward. they should have thought out the reaction of the other students before asking a question like that. I know that if I was singled out in class for something that I couldn't help, like not being born here, I be so embarrassed, just because all attention would be focused on me, so i understand how awful Noy must have felt.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
- No one should have to act differently. Everyone should have the same amount of respect. If i knew that someone felt like an outsider, I'd probably talk to them, but not bring up feeling like an outsider, it only points out that feeling. I'd probably just talk to them and like everyone else, try to include them. with out saying anything I'd try to end the outsiderfeeling.
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
-"You have to live in somebody else's country to understand" I think this is the most emotional, because its true, under you've gone through this sort of thing you'll never understand, you can read the poem 1000 time and unless this has happened to you you'll never really know what these people have to deal with. you can post on however many forums as you want but you'll just never feel the sameway these people have felt. Its terrible to know that no matter what this girl says to you, you'll never be able to solve her problem. :O(

Date: Feb 8, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
-Mostly people that come from countries that we arent used to the cultures. Like now, we are used to Portuguese and Spanish immigrants because theyve been coming here for a long time.

I agree with krystal. I feel like it might be a little hard for immigrants from Portugal to ajust in America, but it's so much easier for them because a lot of Portuguese poeple live here everyone is used to their culture. But like if someone from Uganda were to move to new bedford that person would be more of an outsider.

Date: Feb 8, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
Basically, anyone who looks like another part of the world gets treated like outsiders here in America. They get made fun of, teased, and even really verbally abused. It can get really harsh.
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
When they feel like outsiders, they just feel disconnected from the whole area. They just have no more motivation to do anything anymore. They get a wrong picture of the country, and end up probably giving up and possibly moving somewhere else that has a bigger diversity of their background, or just move back depending on how much they hate it here.
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
Obviously anyone can understand the difference after hearing the truth. Especially when there's video of it, it gives a more influence to actually rethink about everything and actually thinking that yourself may be even someone who has harrased someone because of where they came from originally.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
To be honest, I would myself feel bad. It may not end the discrimination from anyone else, but myself may be some help to get it out to realize if it's happening around me.
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

"You have to live in somebody else's country to understand."

You dont even have to move to another country, just visit another far state. You can definitel pop out of a group of people if you are from New England to Florida. Like, if you ask for Coffee Milk in Florida, they look at you totally awkward. Especially the bad accent we all have in New England too, which is entireably noticable anywhere else in the US. "Can I have a quartah to pahk mah cah at the hahvahd yahd?" You definitely can feel the same just by that. It's everywhere.

Date: Feb 8, 2008

Reflection: I honestly believe since being Portuguese, you definitely stand out. I also have gone through a lot around in New Bedford, since it is known for "The Melting Pot". But it is morely known for the Portuguese where everyone can get discriminated for it. "Oh, he's Portuguese so obviously he wouldn't understand why he should tip." Or, "Oh, he must be Portuguese AND from Fall River because he can't drive for crap."

Honestly, everyone still to this day still harrasses Portuguese people for who they are. They are honest, hard workers just like any immigrant, but sometimes people wouldn't ever hire a Portuguese company for their work because they think they slcak off, or it's just not good to hire them because you would rather have someone who is NOT Portuguese.

Date: Feb 8, 2008

Jazmin wrote:

1. I would have to say mostly every dif. culture that americans are not used to. Mainly someone not from u.s.
2. I would say the person becomes a loner very sad and depressed and some kids might take it to another extent and do something to harm others that may be hurting them
3. It made me understand that other people really are harsh and its just not kids that may pick on them it may be adults and thats rude and I would like to help them out.
4. i would try to talk to the person and connect in with them some way

Date: Feb 8, 2008

Questions:

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?

Usually minorities and immigrants

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
That they begin to hide themselves away from society and being holding a hatred for things around them.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?

That it is hard for them to get by so you should not be so quick to pick fun of them.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?

I might try to better understand them.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

What is it like when you walk in the street and everybody turns around to look at you and you don't know that they are looking at you.
Then, when you find out, you want to hide your face but you don't know where to hide because they are everywhere.
You have to live in somebody else's country to feel it.

I personally thought this was the most powerful phrase in the poem because it's saying that when you're an outsider you wish to hide away but no matter how far you run you cannot get away.

Date: Feb 8, 2008

1. Minorities

2. They shy away from the group, and spend a lot of time by themselves.

3. That life is tough for them, and they go through a lot of stuff. Making fun of them really hurts them.

4. I might try to talk to them.

5. What is it like when the teacher says, "Whoever wasn't born here raise your hand." And you are the only one. Then , when you raise your hand, everybody looks at you and makes fun of you.

This stuck out to me more than any other phrase because I've seen something like this happen before.

Date: Feb 12, 2008

1. I think everyone is treated like an outsider. I mean, people pick on others that don't look like them all the time.
2. A good percentage of teenagers commit suicide. Because they feel like they dont belong.
3. Just not to pick on others because they dont look or sound like you. Everyone has fellings you and can make or break a person in the matter of two words.
4. I would try to find out why they are feeling the way they are and try to make them not feel like an outsider.
5. ". . . or she is saving, and you try to tell him or her to slow down.
Then when you do, everybody says, "If you don't understand, go to a lower class or get lost. . . . "
Kids can have the potential to be a greast student only if they get help from there teacher. For a teacher to turn around and say what she did thats wrong. They are there for one reason and one reason only to educate students, it doesnt matter if the student it white, black, yellow, or even purple is not there job to discriminate agaiasnt them only to teach them.

It is insane to think a 9th grader wrote this poem. What this teenager went through is crazy. It makes you think like how many people i have put down? Did i ever make someone feel that way? The poem leaves you asking yourself questions. Did someone ever make me feel that way? There is so much going on this this poem and if only one person was nice to her/ him her life would have been alot more easier

Date: Feb 14, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
- people that are from different countries.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
- they act out.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
- they come here for a better life and it is unfare to treat them badly because they are different.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
- hang out and talk to them. make them feel comfortable.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

yawn

Date: Feb 14, 2008

Anonymous wrote: this is cheyannes :) i always froget to put my name

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
- people that are from different countries.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
- they act out.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
- they come here for a better life and it is unfare to treat them badly because they are different.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
- hang out and talk to them. make them feel comfortable.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

Date: Feb 14, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
Immigrants are treated like outsiders, people feel that they are lesser than they are because they were'nt born here.
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
The possible results are that people begin to shut others out and don't want to be part of their culture
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
I learned that what people say really effect the way people feel about things.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
I would act kind and try to understand what they are feleling.
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

Date: Feb 14, 2008

question 5;
"They don't understand you.
They laugh at you but you don't know that they are laughing at you, and you start to laugh with them."
i think this quote is powerful because it is hurtful.

Date: Feb 14, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America? Everyone is an outsider to another social group
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings? Different people react different ways, some people act out to get attention while others withdraw into themselves
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?Try to understand people that are not the same as you are put yourself in their shoes.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider? I try to get to know them
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.What is it like when the teacher says, "Whoever wasn't born here raise your hand."
And you are the only one.I selected it because I understand how that feels.

Date: Feb 15, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
-All non Americans but more noticeable then others, such as Latinos and Asians. But although Black Americans are not from another country directly, they are still treated so.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
-Theifs, Murderers, Suicide. One becomes trapped and hopeless.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
-You have no right to make jokes until you have gone through what they have, if so, you would think twice before acting hostile towards others.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
-You would realize the pain he/she would be going through and how frustrating being the center of a joke could be.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
-He says, "Yes, she didn't do anything to her" and you have no witness to turn to.
So the teacher thinks you are a liar.

Thats sad. She is being forced into a situation that could be easily avoidable by the one who doesnt discriminate. She has no power over how people influence others how to think of her.

Date: Feb 15, 2008

Ricardo Teixeira wrote:

Reflection: I honestly believe since being Portuguese, you definitely stand out. I also have gone through a lot around in New Bedford, since it is known for "The Melting Pot". But it is morely known for the Portuguese where everyone can get discriminated for it. "Oh, he's Portuguese so obviously he wouldn't understand why he should tip." Or, "Oh, he must be Portuguese AND from Fall River because he can't drive for crap."

Honestly, everyone still to this day still harrasses Portuguese people for who they are. They are honest, hard workers just like any immigrant, but sometimes people wouldn't ever hire a Portuguese company for their work because they think they slcak off, or it's just not good to hire them because you would rather have someone who is NOT Portuguese.

Interesting... My parents are portuguese immigrants and its just interesting... How you view things like this while I think the complete opposite. I cant say I been through things my parents have, because I know english and I dont work in a factory like they do, but I have heard more possitive things about Portuguese immigrants rather then bad things.

And about Portuguese immigrants being hard working and honest, well thats stereotyping, that is all true. Someone's ethnicity does not determin if they lie or are lazy or force them to stick with certain morals.

Date: Feb 15, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
Anybody that was not necessarily born in the U.S

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
They feel uncomfortable in their new surroundings, get home sick, may exclude themselves from others, or begin to doubt themselves

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
I learned how an outsider or person from another country feels about our country and it helped me to realize what someone from another country would be going threw.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
I might just start a conversation with them as i do everyone else. I would try to say something that might encourage them to not feel like an outsider

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

"What is it like when the teacher says, "Whoever wasn't born here raise your hand."
And you are the only one"
{I realized how uncomfortable that person might be in that situation and it explains how she feels}

"They laugh at you but you don't know that they are laughing at you, and you start to laugh with them.
They say, "Are you crazy, laughing at yourself? Go get lost, girl."
You have to live in somebody else's country without a language to understand. "
{I see how the person feels when she doesn't understand that she is being laughed at and the other kids put more pressure on her by telling her to get lost. she feels left out and by trying to fit in she gets laughed at instead of corrected. that is why she says that you have to live in somebody else's country to understand}

mre · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

oops forgot one ^^
refeliction on the peom
the peom kind of defines it when u put and kid that doesn't know english in the class and they would feel wierd, unless you put them in a class where they can understand the teacher so they can learn better ^_^

who is this?

mre · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

1. I would have to say mostly every dif. culture that americans are not used to. Mainly someone not from u.s.
2. I would say the person becomes a loner very sad and depressed and some kids might take it to another extent and do something to harm others that may be hurting them
3. It made me understand that other people really are harsh and its just not kids that may pick on them it may be adults and thats rude and I would like to help them out.
4. i would try to talk to the person and connect in with them some way

who is this?

mre · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
- people that are from different countries.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
- they act out.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
- they come here for a better life and it is unfare to treat them badly because they are different.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
- hang out and talk to them. make them feel comfortable.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

who is this?

mre · Senior Member

Grades updated 3-05-08

Date: Mar 6, 2008

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
- I notice that Asians (both East and South) seem to be particularly absent in American pop culture. While African-Americans and Latinos are A-List actors and huge pop-stars like whites, Asians aren't represented.
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
- Depression, Alienation, suicide, self-mutilation and, in some cases, murder.
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
- Nothing. This poem is not the reason why I do not differentiate between foreigners and people of my nationality.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
- I probably wouldn't act too differently. If I was their friend, I would explain to them that their in a very prejudice place. They'll have to ignore our poor education system and, thus, our ignorance. If worse comes to worse, I'd reccomend Canada.
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
What is it like when somebody bothers you when you do nothing to them?
You tell them to stop but they tell you that they didn't do anything to you.
Then, when they keep doing it until you can't stand it any longer, you go up to the teacher and tell him or her to tell them to stop bothering you.
They say that they didn't do anything to bother you.
Then the teacher asks the person sitting next to you.
He says, "Yes, she didn't do anything to her" and you have no witness to turn to.
So the teacher thinks you are a liar.
- That happened to me in school dozens of times...I never instigated anything - but these situations would pop up because people knew I was different.

Zack · Member

1) Latino immigrants and homosexuals seem to be two of the most targeted groups for alienation in America.

2) Being designated as an outsider can obviously lead to depression, but it can also lead to the person or group to lash out, whether it be through physically attacking other people or returning to their home country with a negative opinion of Americans which they probably spread with the stories of their lives while living here.

3) This poem didn't teach me anything that I hadn't already come to think on my own. Having dealt with immigrants or visitors from another country on many occasions in multiple ways throughout my life, I've already seen and heard about the troubles of being in a foreign country.

4) When I notice that someone feels left out, I'll generally make at least some attempt to start a conversation and put them at ease.

5) "What is it like when you walk in the street and everybody turns around to look at you and you don't know that they are looking at you.
Then, when you find out, you want to hide your face but you don't know where to hide because they are everywhere.
You have to live in somebody else's country to feel it."
There aren't many places in this country that I could visit that would make me understand this feeling. The poem is right that you need to go to another country to understand the feeling. Although American culture may be similar to the cultures of other countries, the troubles come with the small details; just a different way of greeting each other can make a foreign visitor feel very isolated from the rest of the country that they're in.

David · Member

Questions:

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
-Everyone can be treated as an outsider; it all depends on where you are and who you are surrounded by. Anyone who is a minority is generally treated as an outsider, especially those who are immigrants to the US who have a hard time transmitting here.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
-Most people get depressed, and they have a tough time adjusting even more to this new way of life. Everyone gets upset, sad and hurt in some way by being rejected from our surroundings and depending how you individually react to these things, you will then respond on how you feel. Many people end up feeling worthless, and less than human because of this rejection. Most people also feel unmotivated to adjust to society and no longer wish to adjust, but leave.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
-Nothing to be fully honest I already have heard and understand as to how it might feel to be in their situation, and I do have empathy for them. My morals also tell me that it its wrong to treat people in this sort of fashion, but its still good to see a poem like this to make people more aware.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
-I would like to think I would stand up for this person and stop those around me from hurting this person. I would also like to think I would try to make people aware of what their doing is wrong and how it hurts to be treated that way. I already stand up to people around me, and have no problem voicing my opinion to people if I think they need to be corrected in a healthy non-violent way. I would try to be friendly to an outsider and let them know their welcomed and I would have no problem being their friend (as long as I got along with them of course).

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
-In my opinion, the strongest phrase in this poem that sums up everything you need to know and how it feels to be an outsider is this: You have to live in somebody else's country to understand. This phrase flat-out tells you, that the only way you can understand this poem is to actually experience it hands on, and that we can only have empathy for those who do experience this and to be more aware of our actions on who they affect.

-- Edited by David at 22:09, 2008-03-16

David · Member

Reflection:

All immigrants who come to America more than likely receive resentment and feel out of place. It is unfortunately that they receive such a negative response for coming here and for being different. We as a county need to realize that we were all at one pint were immigrants too (except the Natives of course), and we should not be as disrespectful and ignorant. However, there are of course immigrants who do come here expecting too much without having to earn anything for it, but thats a different topic What I feel should be most learned from this poem is to be more aware of what we say and how it feels to be an outsider for most of your life and receive no acceptance of any kind.

Jimmy · Member

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
I believe all minority groups have been treated as outsiders at some point. Right now however, the Guatamalens are really treated poorly and looked down upon. This is especially true in New Bedford.
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings? They start to isolate themselves from all other people. A lot of the times this leads to them committing violent crimes.

3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future? They have feelings too. You just can't isolate them and expect them to be ok. They are people too. They must be treated as people too.

4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider? You could try and talk to them. Include them in some of the things that you and your friends do. Just try to make them feel as if they are not alone. I think that this effort would make a big difference in the way that a person would feel.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.
"What is it like to want to hide your face" I think that this statement is very powerful. That has to be and awful feeling. No person should feel that they need to hide their face to feel comfortable.

James M · Member

mre wrote:

This poem was written by a 9th grade student from a south Boston high school. Read the poem and share your thoughts on the questions following.

You Have to Live in Somebody Else's Country to Understand
by Noy Chou
What is it like to be an outsider?
What is it like to sit in the class where everyone has blond hair and you have black hair?
What is it like when the teacher says, "Whoever wasn't born here raise your hand."
And you are the only one.
Then, when you raise your hand, everybody looks at you and makes fun of you.
You have to live in somebody else's country to understand.
What is it like when the teacher treats you like you've been here all your life?
What is it like when the teacher speaks too fast and you are the only one who can't understand what he or she is saving, and you try to tell him or her to slow down.
Then when you do, everybody says, "If you don't understand, go to a lower class or get lost."
You have to live in somebody else's country to understand.
What is it like when you are an opposite?
When you wear the clothes of your country and they think you are crazy to wear these clothes and you think they are pretty.
You have to live in somebody else's country to understand.
What is it like when you are always a loser.
What is it like when somebody bothers you when you do nothing to them?
You tell them to stop but they tell you that they didn't do anything to you.
Then, when they keep doing it until you can't stand it any longer, you go up to the teacher and tell him or her to tell them to stop bothering you.
They say that they didn't do anything to bother you.
Then the teacher asks the person sitting next to you.
He says, "Yes, she didn't do anything to her" and you have no witness to turn to.
So the teacher thinks you are a liar.
You have to live in somebody else's country to understand.
What is it like when you try to talk and you don't pronounce the words right?
They don't understand you.
They laugh at you but you don't know that they are laughing at you, and you start to laugh with them.
They say, "Are you crazy, laughing at yourself? Go get lost, girl."
You have to live in somebody else's country without a language to understand.
What is it like when you walk in the street and everybody turns around to look at you and you don't know that they are looking at you.
Then, when you find out, you want to hide your face but you don't know where to hide because they are everywhere.
You have to live in somebody else's country to feel it.

Published in 1986 by the Anti-Defamation League for the "A World of Difference" project.

Questions:
1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings?
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future?
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider?
5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

Evaluation: For each of the questions answered, you will receive 10 points. You will receive 50 points for your reflection on the poem itself. Be as descriptive as possible. Thanks!

-- Edited by mre at 17:23, 2008-02-07

1.) I think depending on the area youre in no matter what race or religion youll be treated like a complete outsider.
2.) When people feel like theyre alone they tend to shut down sometimes. Usually people dont feel to comfortable around people who arent really "nice" to them.
3.) Outsiders are people too. you cant isolate people and expect them to open up to others.
4.) I would try to get to know them. If i was in thier shoes i know i would think it sucks so why not try to make them feel welcome.
5.)

I think that the whole poem in general was pretty powerful.

Jordan5 · Newbie

Jordan5 · Newbie

1. What groups and individuals are treated like outsiders in America?
Anyone who is from a different culture or looks different from us Americans are treated like outsiders.

2. What are the possible results or consequences when people feel like outsiders in their surroundings? People become depressed and lonely when they feel like outsiders in their surroundings because they feel like they are not wanted and dont belong.
3. What did you learn from this experience and the poem that might help you to better understand the feelings of outsiders in the future? I learned how tough it is to be an outsider and that you shouldnt treat people who are not like you different because of how uncomfortable it makes them feel.
4. How might you act differently toward someone when you recognize that s/he might be feeling like an outsider? You should try to make someone who is feeling like an outsider feel welcome in our society and help them adjust to the way things are here.

5. Select any passages or phrases that you feel are the most powerful. Explain your selections and why you thought they were potent or emotional.

I think that the most powerful passage is when she says that she gets laughed at and is told to get lost because it is sad that they would treat someone like that.

mre · Senior Member

grades updated 3.30.08

WilliamProvince · Member

Thank you for this poem!

WilliamProvince · Member

I like Americans poem, but I don't always have time for it. Very often, I'm overwhelmed with assignments in college. Now I need to write my dissertation uk and I found a source that can help with this. I believe that in responsible and complex tasks, it is better to ask for help than to prepare poorly on your own.

-- Edited by WilliamProvince on Thursday 14th of April 2022 02:13:32 PM

Georg81 · Member

Thank you. Really like it