Isn’t it annoying when someone assumes you are not an American citizen just because you are not white?
A different mirror by Ronald Takaki makes a strong argument that America has been a multicultural society since the beginning of time. Takaki aims to negate the commonly held assumption that America once consisted of only white people and has become multi-culturally diverse over the years. According to Takaki, the struggle and contribution of African Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, and Jewish people in America, to the current development of America is unacknowledged in history. Thus, Takaki argues that there is no point in dismissing the contribution contributions of these cultures and their story must be told through the school curriculum. He thus describes the economic and political histories of these cultures by emphasizing on the instances and consequences of racism.
Isn’t it annoying when someone assumes you are not American just because you are not white? A conversation between Takaki and his taxi driver became awkward when the driver assumed that Takaki was not American because he was not white. Most if not all non-white Americans feel like strangers in their own country despite their citizenship. This is because of the perceived assumption depicted in history books that America was originally a white settler society and the other multi-cultural communities have evolved overtime. However, according to Takaki, this is not true because cultures such as African Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, and Jews have a significant contribution to the growth and development of contemporary America. Thus, it is important that their stories are told by incorporating the American school curriculum.
As a student, I do appreciate the work of Takaki on American history. It has made me more aware of the different cultures represented in class as well as in our society. Takaki also made me realize that the diverse cultures need to be celebrated rather than feared and by doing so I will be celebrating the American culture.
Before reading a different mirror my view the development of modern America was based on my understanding of how civilization spread from Europe to America through industrialization. It was also based on the knowledge that American independence and constitution had a large contribution to its growth. However, after reading Takaki’s book, I am now aware of the great sacrifices and contributions that other cultures underwent to make America a great nation. Thus, I agree with Takaki, that their stories should be told so that the current generation is aware that all the different cultures in America are important and equal and racism and ethnicity should never be an option.
A different mirror provides a good illustration of the cost that other non-anglo cultures had to pay to receive a seat at the American table. It also shows the biasness that historians and authors have had in narrating the true events that made America to be one of the greatest nations in the world. Takaki teaches of the importance of acceptance of other cultures and living as one to make America even greater. A different mirror can be relevant to anyone interested in learning the other side of American history that have overlooked the contribution of non-anglo in the current American development.
Isn’t it annoying when someone assumes you are not American just because you are not white? A conversation between Takaki and his taxi driver became awkward when the driver assumed that Takaki was not American because he was not white. Most if not all non-white Americans feel like strangers in their own country despite their citizenship. This is because of the perceived assumption depicted in history books that America was originally a white settler society and the other multi-cultural communities have evolved overtime. However, according to Takaki, this is not true because cultures such as African Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, and Jews have a significant contribution to the growth and development of contemporary America. Thus, it is important that their stories are told by incorporating the American school curriculum.
As a student, I do appreciate the work of Takaki on American history. It has made me more aware of the different cultures represented in class as well as in our society. Takaki also made me realize that the diverse cultures need to be celebrated rather than feared and by doing so I will be celebrating the American culture.
Before reading a different mirror my view the development of modern America was based on my understanding of how civilization spread from Europe to America through industrialization. It was also based on the knowledge that American independence and constitution had a large contribution to its growth. However, after reading Takaki’s book, I am now aware of the great sacrifices and contributions that other cultures underwent to make America a great nation. Thus, I agree with Takaki, that their stories should be told so that the current generation is aware that all the different cultures in America are important and equal and racism and ethnicity should never be an option.
A different mirror provides a good illustration of the cost that other non-anglo cultures had to pay to receive a seat at the American table. It also shows the biasness that historians and authors have had in narrating the true events that made America to be one of the greatest nations in the world. Takaki teaches of the importance of acceptance of other cultures and living as one to make America even greater. A different mirror can be relevant to anyone interested in learning the other side of American history that have overlooked the contribution of non-anglo in the current American development.