"For many years I kept my uneasiness about becoming a success in education to myself."
I think this quote is very interesting that the author felt the need to hide his intelligence and successes. In some way I feel bad that he doesn't take great pride and feels the need to hide it. He branches from this topic and discusses how education was not valued or seen as important in his spanish culture because where he was from it was a very low quality of education. His parents were encouraging but would half-joking say that education was putting "big ideas" in him and his brother's heads. I can't imagine education not being so highly valued and something that one feels the need to not be proud of. Although he was proud, he felt as though it was inappropriate to boast his pride or to tell others about it. I also understand though that these are different cultures that value and hold different things as priorities.
"I realize how much more difficult and complicated was my progress into academic life for my parents, as they saw the cultural foundation of their family erode, than it was for me."
This quote really made me think. His parents were completely blind and shocked in a lot of ways by the American culture and language. They brought their children to America who were the most important people in their lives and began to watch them change into unfamiliarity. Rodriguez mentions losing his ability to speak Spanish a little, the language his parents primarily use to communicate. His parents must have been so confused with how they were feeling, their sons were getting a high quality education in America, but at the same time losing certain cultural aspects that they saw as essential, such as language. Their family's cultural foundation truly was eroding away. It makes me wonder exactly how the parents feel and value the sacrifice they made to allow their children to get a high quality education.
I agree with what you said about not being able to imagine education as being almost frowned upon. It really does completely go against the values most of us were taught. I actually saw a billboard the other day that read "knowledge is power." Its funny how that billboard can say that but Rodriguez's parents seem to believe knowledge is almost laughable. Because of this reason Rodriguez had to hide his education. This sounds foreign at first but then I thought about all of the smart people around the world who are mocked for their genius. They are bullied and called "nerds." Its sad that our culture makes fun of people with excelled intelligence and people who have world hard to know what they do. Great quote selections from the passage.
ReplyDeleteI also have to agree with what you're writing about when you can't believe that learning is "frowned upon." For my family and I, education always came first in the house. If I was allowed to go out or get a special treat, it was because of a good test/class grade. I can't believe how he would have to hide that from his family. My family actually encourages me to better my education and always strive to better myself.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I can't imagine education being something that is "frowned upon." Education has always been important and encouraged in my family. My father is a teacher, so I've grown up in an environment where knowledge is valued. I think education isn't something to be ashamed of or something you should hide. You should be proud of your accomplishments and be happy to share what you know with others.
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