BLOG #2
Bootstraps:
This excerpt displays issues I have dealt with such as false accusations of plagiarism, failing, isolation, and minority status. However it is not shocking; for example the idea of a “code-switch” is obvious. People will change the way they speak or write depending on the audience. As a person who is bilingual, I do not find the “code-switch” interesting. This is because it is not a difficult or special process to me. Many individuals speak more than one language, and are capable of speaking from formally to informally. I believe the author has made achievements in his education, on the other hand, his achievements are not special. At the bottom of page 113 it is stated that he gets into the graduate program with the help of references and his “minority status”. This conveys that a minority can be accepted with low test scores because he/she was not expected to do well. Thus he felt “pathetic” and he should, because I would. The majority of his accomplishments could be achieved by an average person. I believe literacy in English is an exaggerated accomplishment for minorities. If it was such a big deal, most individuals would be shocked to see a minority who is fluent in English. One may argue that he was not an ordinary minority because his English is above average, and that his native language was a handicap with his education. I strongly believe if minorities desire to be equal to non-minorities in literacy; the status of a minority who is bilingual should not be seen as a disability. The idea that minorities are incapable of achieving what we perceive as above average is absurd. I can only support his diligence towards his education. Many students take their education for granted but the author did not. I am not stating that he is not well educated - I am stating that his accomplishments are normal.