American Literature

American Like Me - American Literature

American Like Me Essay

In 2018, actress and activist America Ferrera asked over thirty successful professionals in the fields of the arts, politics,  and technology, among others, to contribute personal essays to American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures.  In her introduction to the anthology, Ferrera claims that only certain voices and stories are truly told and celebrated in America. She explains that her purpose in creating American Like Me is to encourage more people with diverse voices and identities to tell their stories about being American. One author Anjelah Johnson, a comedian, writes about her struggle growing up wanting to be more latina instead of embracing her identity. 

To begin, in the introduction, America Ferrera tells a story about the first audition she ever went on. Ferrera wanted to be an actor since she was a little girl, but people told her that girls who looked like her were not in movies or on television. During her first audition, the casting director told her to “sound more Latina,” which confused Ferrera. She asked, “Do you want me to do it in Spanish?” before later realizing that the casting director thought all Latinas spoke in broken English .  Ferrera realized that there were not enough stories of Latinas being told because people saw them as a stereotype and did not realize that someone like her, someone who was born in the United States and spoke perfect English was Latina. This moment motivated Ferrera to portray Latinas in a way that broke stereotypes and reflected her truth and the reality of other women like her.  She was able to fulfill this goal later when she starred in Real Women Have Curves and Ugly Betty. 

Growing up Anjelah wanted to be a part of all the Mexican trends. She always felt as if what she had wasn't enough but still celebrated all the Mexican holidays etc. She thought the whole stereotype of a female Mexican was really intriguing and wanted to be all about it from the bandana to the lip liner. She would later realize that she didn't need all of that to be in connection with her culture but still loved it. The main idea is that even though you may not like your stereotypes in your race, be yourself and express your culture and the heritage that you have.On pg 246, she writes, . “ Aside from just wanting to feel tough and protected, I wanted to be proud of my culture and my heritage.” I think this gives off that unlike America Ferrera,  Anjelah wanted to have more of that stereotype off her culture. Also on pg 246, she says. “ To be a chola you have to have a badass quality about you.” Maybe she thought the black lip liner and the bandanna would help play into that. Lastly on pg 247. “ Instead, you just do you and do you well,.”sSaying that it’s best for you to embrace yourself in the best way possible. 

While America Ferrera did not want to fit the stereotype of being latina, Anelah Johnson wanted to be a chola. America felt offended after getting roles that seemed to have been stereotyping her into being a gangster's girlfriend, more of a broken English speaker. On the other hand Anjelah wanted herself to appear as a chola, it made her feel more protected, confident, and brave. Both these women had different outlooks on their stereotype but this tells us not all latina women want the same thing.

Regarding stereotypes, Anjelah felt as if she wanted to be more of a chola and America didn't want to fit any stereotype; she wanted to redefine what it meant to be a Latina. Though they may disagree on separate things they both have an agreement with themself that they should love themselves and not try to change that but accept their culture. They also both believe that people should speak out against racism and discrimination. People should try to understand different races and what it is like to be themselves instead of what is stereotyped if you find yourself being stereotyped, stand up for yourself and accept yourself and allow them to do the same.

AP Pre Calculus