Table Of Contents:
Why This Book ix
Acknowledgments xi

An Introduction to Identity and Culture 1(12)

Psychosocial Phenomenon 1(1)

Performance in the Classroom and Overcompensation 2(1)

Learning Perspective from Immigrant Writers: Introducing Richard Rodriguez 3(2)

Introducing Eva Hoffman 5(1)

Introducing Chang-rae Lee 6(2)

Introducing Amy Tan 8(1)

Sociocultural Factors 9(2)

Culture as Enrichment 11(2)

The Public and Private Selves 13(15)

Introduction 13(3)

Richard Rodriguez's Hunger of Memory 16(6)

Other Selves 22(1)

The Film Mi Familia 23(5)

Lost in Translation 28(15)

Introduction 28(2)

Eva Hoffman's Lost in Translation 30(1)

English: Both a Public and a Private Voice 31(2)

Adolescence in a Strange City 33(1)

Immigrant Ambition: The Overachiever 34(2)

Denunciation and Detachment 36(1)

Triangulation of Experience 37(1)

Childhood Identity and Idealization of Home 38(1)

Being Jewish in North America 39(4)

A Hybrid Feminine Voice 43(11)

Introduction 43(1)

Julia Alvarez's Something to Declare 44(6)

Women as Mentors 50(1)

Communication and Gender 51(3)

Immigration and the Generation Gap 54(27)

Introduction 54(1)

Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club 55(23)

The Film Joy Luck Club 78(3)

Culture, Identity, and Work 81(16)

Introduction 81(2)

Change-rae Lee's Native Speaker 83(6)

What's in a Name? 89(2)

Acculturation and Identity through Work or Hobby 91(1)

Stereotyping Asian Students: High Expectations 92(3)

What Is Education? 95(1)

The Asian Stereotype: Model Americans 96(1)

Identity, Class, and Race 97(21)

Introduction 97(1)

The Legacy of Slavery 97(1)

Zora Neale Hurston 98(1)

A Controversial Figure 99(1)

Excerpt from Dust Tracks on a Road 100(3)

Excerpt from I Love Myself When I Am Laughing and Then Again When I Am Looking Mean and Impressive 103(2)

May Stawsky 105(4)

Mark Mathabane's From the Far Side 109(6)

Racism: Where Are We Today? 115(3)

The American Identity and Education 118(11)

What Is an American Identity? 118(3)

Reasons Why Successful Immigrants Succeed 121(8)

Personal Resources 121(1)

Strong Family Ties 121(1)

Language Identity 122(1)

Spiritual or Religious Values 122(1)

Personal Characteristics 122(2)

Positive Role Models 124(1)

Dispelling the Myths 125(4)
Appendix 1: Recommended Readings 129(2)
Appendix 2: Recommended Videos 131(2)
Bibliography 133