May 1 - As we approach the end of the course, reflect on the texts, discussions, and concepts explored in Multicultural Literature. What is one significant lesson about culture or identity that has stood out to you? Explain why this lesson is meaningful and analyze how it connects to your own experiences or perspective.

Response: One significant lesson about culture I learned in Multicultural Literature would be the essay "The Myth of the Latin Woman" by Judith Ortiz Cofer. We read this essay early in the school year, but it gave me an exact idea of what I was going to be facing in this class. This essay is about a Puerto Rican woman (like me) who shares her struggles growing up as a Hispanic woman in Puerto Rico and also in the states. I've never experienced anything like she has before, but at the time I felt like sharing this essay with my mom. My mom, who is also a Puerto Rican woman, said this is exactly what she has had to go through in her life. She had it a little easier because her skin is paler than most Puerto Rican women, but nonetheless she could relate to the "exotic" and erotic themes Hispanic women are stereotyped for. I'm not sure why, but reading this essay for the first time in class activated a side of me I never knew I had. I've never been particularly good or fond of English class, but this class was just so different from any class I've ever had. I think it has to do with me being able to relate to a lot of the texts we covered over this course, and it gave me this hunger to keep finding new texts and topics to go over and analyze. Of course, the real reason I was able to enjoy this course so much was because of my amazing teacher Mr. Rease. Hearing him share different parts of his upbringing and being vulnerable with his students made me respect and become inspired by his way of teaching. Out of every class I've taken in the 5 years I've been in high school, this was my favorite class ever. 

Summary: Today, we finished the short film about the kids traveling to school.

Reflection: I hope that in college, I will have a class similar to this one.