Bianca Brucato

September 28, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

Valerie Kinloch Questions

1.      “From architectural designs to cultural activities to the role of local communities in civil rights movements, urban places and spaces are rich in history (147 – 148).”  Discuss the meaning of this sentence.

 – This sentence means that every place has some type of meaning and history to it.   It could be through culture, community, architecture, civil rights movements that all play a huge part in shaping that places history. There is always something to learn and gain from the history of urban places.

2.     “Phillip and Khaleeq both had a strong fondness for Harlem’s famous 125^th Street.  They focused on 125^th Street as a site where ‘art is in constant process’” (149).  What is significant about this street as it relates to the essay?  In the same way, what is a famous street, hangout spot, or location in your town?  Why is it famous?   - Harlem’s famous 125^th Street plays a huge role in shaping the identity and culture of Harlem’s art. According to Phillip and Khaleeq this street holds boat loads of black symbols. A famous place to hangout in my town is The Great Kills Little League and Swim Club. This is a famous place to hangout for all people located in the town of Great Kills because it is a big hangout spot for kids and families to go and have a fun time. The Great Kills Little League and Swim Club has been around for almost 20 years and is a fun place for kids to go and stay out of trouble.

3. In class we made the connection between identity and symbols.  We concluded that symbols can signify a part of your identity.  Discuss the use of symbols as identities throughout the reading.  Why are they important?  -The symbols used in this passage has a very symbolic meaning to the story as a whole. The symbols play a huge part in shaping the identity of the residents of Harlem because they show Harlem’s deep African American roots and culture.

4. “…[F]ollow-up conversations with Phillip and Khaleeq taught me new ways to see art as ‘action you don’t get permission to create’ (Phillip) and as ‘what we got inside us that wanna get out’” (Kinloch qtd Khaleeq 151).  Discuss the meaning of this sentence.  – The meaning behind this sentence is that not everyone accepts art and is usually suppressed by those who find it to be a waste of time and space. No matter how hard we try to fight for the integrity and beauty of art there will always be people who are going to try to suppress it.

5. On page 154, Kinloch discusses community as signs of history.  What does this mean in relation to the text?  Similarly, write about significant historical identifiers of your community.  (Your community can be any place.)  - This means that symbols are what show the history and culture of a community. Symbols are a representation of the community as a whole.  A significant historic place in Staten Island is Richmond Town. This town is filled with history from the 1600’s and has original buildings and farmhouses to show the history and lifestyles of early American life.

6. In what specific way does the use of digital documentation and photographs help Khaleeq and Phillip show residents the effects of gentrification?  Similarly, does the use of photographs and video that you created help to show your community?  Do you think you could have done your written your response about your community without it? – Digital documentation helps us to visualize information without having to read pages and pages. Most people like this because it can help you visualize the story or message your trying to tell. The video I created helped show my community, which is my dorm because the video showed all details of my room that I could not write on paper. I don’t think I could have written my response without it because it helped me explain the details of my community.

7. Kinloch closes her essay with a list of questions that derived from her research.  Discuss what her questions aim to uncover as it relates to the main point of her essay. Kinloch closes her essay with a list of questions derived from her research to show how back in the day people stood up to gentrification more than they did today. Today people are more lenient with gentrification and do not stand up for themselves and community.

Bianca Brucato

Professor Young

September 28, 2014

English 1100

                                    “ The affects and solutions to alcoholism”

            How many people do you know suffering from alcoholism? Alcoholism has become a huge problem throughout the United States. Many people can have one or two drinks and still be in control. Some people however have trouble controlling themselves, and are at risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease that affects both your body and mind. Without treatment an alcoholic can have a high rate of becoming seriously ill and an early death. Furthermore, It can affect the family community in a negative way and lead to family loss, health issues, and serious accidents.

            To speak of this issue more widely, Alcoholism is an alcohol dependence disease that is often called the “family disease” because it affects the community of family the most. This disease affects all husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents, and children directly and indirectly. An alcoholic begins to rely so heavily on alcohol it starts to take over his life and relationships with others. Alcoholism can also affect people outside their family. Drunk driving can cause accidents and cause an innocent person to die because an alcoholic decided to drink and drive. This can lead to someone else’s child, parent, brother, or sister being away from them because an alcoholic decided to drive. Alcoholism is a disease that needs to be treated and cannot be cured without seeking help. Those who have family members or friends that are alcoholics need to act more aggressively by enforcing strict rules to stop drinking and seek help that will end this problem.

            One problem that results from alcoholism is family loss. Many alcoholics have families that love and support them, but still decide to drink and self-destruct themselves. This can totally disrupt family life and create a mess that can take years to fix. When your spouse is an alcoholic, it can lead to divorce because of trust and communication problems. Children of alcoholics often feel scared and neglected because of their parent’s unstable behavior.  This can lead to your child resenting you or wanting nothing to do with you. Domestic violence often emerges in households where a spouse or parent is an alcoholic, causing domestic violence to be more dangerous. Alcoholism is a serious disease that results in the destruction of family ties and relations.

            A solution to alcoholism is for family members or friends of alcoholics to encourage them to seek help to fix the problem. Encouraging or even forcing addicts to go to family therapy and alcoholic treatments is a crucial factor in treating alcoholism.  Strong family support plays an important role for alcoholics in their recovery process. Forcing alcoholics to stop drinking and encouraging them to seek help is a major solution to the problem of alcoholism that is faced in many households.

            Secondarily, another problem that results from alcoholism is serious illnesses. Alcoholism can lead to many other mental and physical illnesses.  Many people to who are alcoholics experience depression or anxiety when they drink. Many times alcoholics like to think drinking will help fix these problems, but drinking will only make it worse.  Long-time heavy drinking also increases your risk of having problems with your heart.  Drinking causes your blood pressure to rise and heart muscles to weaken, which are major factors in having problems with your heart.

            In order to avoid these serious illnesses that result from alcoholism, a solution can to be to seek help from your doctor.  Your doctor can help you get the help you need to stop drinking which, can lead to many other problems.  A doctor can prescribe you medicine or therapy to help you cope and deal with alcoholism. You can even call a Drink line, which is free and confidential to talk to someone about your problems on drinking. Consulting in a doctor to help stop abusing alcohol and cure other illnesses is a major way to help fix the problem of alcoholism.

            Thirdly, another problem that results from alcoholism is serious accidents that can harm yourself and others.  Drinking and driving is a major problem in the United Sates. It can result in both the driver and others on the road in being serious injured or killed.  Alcoholism affects and impairs your judgment; so driving while your highly intoxicated can hurt innocent people.  Drinking and driving can take a child, parent, husband, wife, brother or sister away from someone else.  This can affect other families, not only you and the person injured. Drinking and driving is a serious issue that can result from alcoholism and harm many people and families.

            A solution to this problem is to avoid drinking and driving all together. As a community of families, if you see someone drinking and driving you should try to stop them and bring them somewhere to sober up. As a community this can help save others and the person who is drinking and driving.

            Alcoholism is a disease that affects both the body and mind. Many alcoholics are so codependent on alcohol they do not care if they hurt their families or others to get alcohol. Alcoholism is a disease that affects the community of family and can lead to other issues such as family loss, serious illness, and serious accidents. It is important that families force alcoholics to stop drinking and seek help to solve the problem of alcoholism.

Bianca Brucato

September 23, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“My favorite place to be”

            As I was getting ready for college this past summer, the main thing I was worried about was how I am going to live in a completely different and new place.  I grew up in the same house for the past eighteen years of my life, how am I going to adjust to this new place for the next four years of my life? I thought to myself what is the dorm going to look like?, who am I going to be living with?, and the most important question is my dorm going to feel like home? As I settled in to my dorm and meet my roommate I came to realize my dorm is my favorite place to be.

            The first thing I want to feel when I enter my dorm, Hamilton 3055, is a welcoming and choosy environment, so me and my roommate thought it would be a good thing to have a welcoming sign on the door to welcome each other and all guests into our room. The next and most important thing is color. To make the room feel more bright and fun, I wanted to have colorful decorations and bedding to make the room have a positive glow and environment. When I walk into my dorm I am immediately filled with a sense of joy and happiness from the fun and bright decorations.

            The most important thing to me is to live in a place that is comforting and feels like home. In order to feel this way I hung and set up all pictures of my close friends and family. This way as I lie down and do homework I can look around and the room and be reminded of the people that mean the most to me.

            My dorm is one of my favorite places because it is my home away from home. It has all the elements of my home in one little room. I have a mini-frig, a microwave, a coffee maker, and many others things that are a big part of my everyday life. Without these things I do not think I would be able to survive on my own or even last the school week.

            One of the most important parts of my dorm and one of the reasons why it is my favorite place is because of the people that are in it. Being away from my family and friends is hard, so it is important that I have good people to help me when I feel sad or homesick. My roommate, Hannah is a big reason why my dorm is my favorite place. We always have so much fun in our room and I can rely on her for anything. Another important person, who is just outside my dorm, is my R.A. Angelica. I like to consider her like a big sister because I know I can go to her whenever I have a problem or if I just want to talk. Having great people to share my college experience with is one of the main reasons why my dorm is my favorite place.

            My dorm is my favorite place for many reasons. The first reason is the welcoming and comforting feeling I get when I enter my dorm. The second is the fun decorations and utilities in the dorm. The third and most important reason why my dorm is my favorite place is because of the people I live with. My dorm is one of my favorite places because it is a place were I feel most at home and is my escape from the world.

Bianca Brucato- My Favorite Place

Bianca Brucato

September 21, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“My Favorite Place”

            Everybody has one place they feel most at home; for me this place is the beach. There is nothing like the smell of the ocean, the texture of the sand, and the view of the horizon. The beach is not only one of my favorite places, it is also a place were I can go an escape from the world. The stress from a long work and school week can really get to me, so going to the beach helps me unwind and clear my head. When I am at the beach my problems seem to fly away with the wind. The beach is not only one of my favorite places it is like a second home.

            When I go to the beach I first look for the spot that feels most at home. I pick the spot that has the least people and most sun. This way I can get away from people and be “one” with the beach. When I hear the waves crashing it feels is relaxing and calming.  The sound puts me to sleep, like the way a mother rocks her baby to bed. As I am laying down in the sand, I dream about the memories I have made throughout the years at the beach.

            As a child, my whole family would go and spend the whole day at the beach. I remember making sand castles with my brothers and running in and out of the ocean right before the tide would break. The memories I have made at the beach with my family are one of the reasons why it is one of my favorite places. Every time I go back to the beach, I feel like I am reliving my childhood with the people I love the most.  The memories I have made at the beach will be with me for the rest of my life.

            The ocean has to be one of my favorite parts of the beach. The smell of the salt water as I run through the waves is comforting and energizing. When the waves start to get rough, my body is filled with this wild thrill of dogging and riding the waves as they crash on me. I also love the salt water because it is a great way to refresh your skin and hair. The view of the ocean has to be one of the most breathtaking views there can be. I love to sit on my towel with my family and just watch the waves go back and forth. The ocean gives me a sense of relief and comfort, it makes me feel like I am at a home away from home.

            Whether I am at the beach in Staten Island or at the beach far away in the Bahamas, the experience is the same to me. The ocean smells the same, the sand feels same, and the view is always amazing. The beach is on of my favorite places to because it makes me feel like I am at home. It is a place were I can go and getaway from my problems and the world. I will never forget the memories I made at the beach and they will be with me for a lifetime.

Bianca Brucato- Hip Hop Planet

Bianca Brucato

September 21, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“Hip Hop Planet”

            In “Hip Hop Planet” by James McBride, James talks about how music especially hip-hop has changed the world over the past few years. He argues that even though Hip Hop was not his favorite music genre at first, it expresses a powerful message that is heard from all different people around the world. James explains that he eventually understands the message Hip Hop is trying to expresses and urges people to keep an open mind about it.

             In the beginning of the story, James Mcbride at first expresses his negative view on hip-hop when he imagines his daughter bring home “a rapper with a mouthful of gold teeth, a do-rag on his head, muscles popping out of his arms, and a thug attitude.” Do to his imagination he was overthinking the effects Hip Hop had on the world and even himself. He never truly gave it a chance, so that is why he never understand the message it was trying to send. Hip Hop gave students from places such as, the South Bronx and Harlem something to express themselves and make their own. As word of mouth spread the message of Hip Hop, it  became popular in all parts of the world. All different types of ethnicity started to listen to Hip Hop. Once James McBride began to embrace Hip Hop he realized it was an outlet for young teens to express themselves. If parents can begin to embrace Hip Hop ,they can learn more about younger generations and even own children. Hip Hop plays a big role in shaping James Mcbride’s identity, by helping him develop a better understanding of his culture and the younger generations, who use Hip-Hop to express themselves. Hip Hop has evolved over the years, but the message is the same.                                    

            As Hip Hop become popular over the years, many adults find it hard to relate to because it is more appealing to a younger crowd. Once James Mcbride gave Hip Hop a chance, he understood the message young teens were trying to express through it. This helped him have a better understanding of his culture and also shape his identity by learning more about himself and the world he lives in.

bianca brucato- final draft identity

Bianca Brucato

September 10, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“Identity”

            What is someone’s identity? Is it their appearance, their character, their language, or their background? In the passage “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, Gloria talks about how her language is a huge part of her identity. Anzaldua describes that finding her identity, which is her language, is important because it defines you. I agree that having your own identity is important; identity is what defines you on the inside and out.  It can be your physical traits along with your internal traits.

            In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, she expresses the effects of how her actions shapes her identity. Anzaldua’s identity is her language. She is constantly being pressured to conform to American traditions and give up her native tongue. For example, when Anzaldua went to the dentist office she was frustrated by the dentist’s overbearing remarks by saying, “We’re going to have to control your tongue.” Despite the fact the dentist was referring to her accent, Anzaldua was constantly worried about how people viewed her based on her language. Despite all of these pressures to conform Anzaldua stayed true to her language, Chicano Spanish. Anzaldua said, “We know how to survive. When other races have given up their tongue, we’ve kept ours.” Anzaldua refuses to give up her language because she would be giving up her identity. Anzaldua uses language to identify herself with others, who are also Chicano Spanish. Anzaldua says, “Chicano Spanish sprang out of the Chicano’s need to identify ourselves as a distinct people. We needed a language with which we could communicate with ourselves, a secret language.“ She uses her language to feel closer to her home and others who belong to her native culture. Using her language to feel more connected with her community can also lead Anzaldua to feel more connected with herself and her identity.

            Identity can be many things. It could be your physical appearance that separates you from another. Your hair, weight, and height can all play a huge part in defining your identity. This is important because it can help us to be unique from one another and often determines what others think of you. Even though this may be unfair, most people judge you on your appearance.  The way people perceive you based off your appearance can lead people to believe you to be a certain way. If I dress formally and wear name brand designers people would infer I am rich and high class. These inferences can lead people to make accusations and assumptions on my identity. Your physical appearance can determine how others view you and your identity.

            Our actions can also be a huge part of our identity.  How you act can truly define who you are. Actions play a magnificent part in defining our identity because who you are or how you are perceived is judged based upon your actions. This is the main way to get to know and trust someone because you cannot see true thoughts or intentions without acting upon them. Your actions can define who you truly are because we are responsible for the choices we make that can affect others and ourselves. If we choose to make good decisions and choices this can shape our identity in a positive way. An example of a positive choice is, if I choose to wait till I am twenty-one to drink. This can shape my identity in a positive way because I am making the right choice to avoid using alcohol till I am older and more mature. If we make bad choices this can shape our identity in a negative way. Choosing to drink and drive is a negative decision that can hurt others and myself. Actions can define who you are by showing your likes and dislikes, your ethnicity, culture, and many other things that shape your identity. The choices and actions you make can play a huge part in shaping your identity.

            Our identity is important because it is a reflection of who we are and who we want to be. Your identity is how you see yourself, so it is important that you are proud of your identity so you ultimately can be proud in yourself.  Your identity is what defines you and your character. If I find money on the floor, I can choose to keep it or return it to the person who lost it. If I choose to return the money to the person who lost it, this would reflect my identity in a positive way. By doing the right thing and returning the money shows that I have respect, honesty, and character.  Identity is possessed by everyone in the world, everyone’s identity is different than others which is what makes identity important. Your identity is what should be most important to you being it is, you. It is important to be proud of your identity, being it is a reflection of who you are.

            Identity is extremely important; it defines who we are as a person on the inside and out.  Your identity can be your appearance, actions, or even your language. Your appearance can lead others to make certain assumptions about yourself and your identity, based upon the way you dress and present yourself. By choosing to make the right choices when none is around can show you have good character and shape your identity in a positive way. Actions play a huge part in defining our identity because who you are or how you are perceived is judged based upon your actions. Your language can also be a huge part of your identity because it can reveal your customs, culture, and religion. Anzaldua stays true to her language, which is a huge part of her identity. Giving up her language would be giving up a piece of herself. It is important to stay true to your identity because it defines you.

bianca brucato- identity

Bianca Brucato

September 10, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“Identity”

            What is someone’s identity? Is it their appearance, their character, their language, or their background? In the passage “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, Gloria talks about how her language is a huge part of her identity. Anzaldua describes that finding her identity, which is her language, is important because it defines you. I agree that having your own identity is important; identity is what defines you on the inside and out.  It can be your physical traits along with your internal traits.

            Identity can be many things. It could be your physical appearance that separates you from another. Your hair, weight, and height can all play a huge part in defining your identity. This is important because it can help us to be unique from one another and often determines what others think of you. Even though this may be unfair, most people judge you on your appearance.  The way people perceive you based off your appearance can lead people to believe you to be a certain way. These inferences can lead people to make accusations and assumptions on your identity.

            Our actions can also be a huge part of our identity.  How you act can truly define who you are. Actions play a magnificent part in defining our identity because who you are or how you are perceived is judged based upon your actions. This can be unfair at times. This is the main way to get to know and trust someone because you cannot see true thoughts or intentions without acting upon them. Your actions can define who you truly are because we are responsible for the choices we make that can affect others and ourselves. If we choose to make good decisions and choices this can shape our identity in a positive way. If we make bad choices this can shape our identity in a negative way. Actions can define who you are by showing your likes and dislikes, your ethnicity, culture, and many other things that shape your identity. Having an identity that you are proud of is important because it is a reflection of who you are.  

            Our identity is important because it is a reflection of who we are and who we want to be. Your identity is how you see yourself, so it is important that you are proud of your identity so you ultimately can be proud in yourself.  Your identity is what defines you and your character. Identity is possessed by everyone in the world, everyone’s identity is different than others which is what makes identity important. Your identity is what should be most important to you being it is, you.

            In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzadula, she expresses the effects of shaping ones identity, but expresses the importance of language. Anzadula’s identity is her language. She is constantly being pressured to conform to American traditions and give up her native tongue. For example, when Anzadula went to the dentist office she was frustrated by the dentist’s overbearing remarks by saying, “We’re going to have to control your tongue.” Despite the fact the dentist was referring to her accent, Anzadula was constantly worried about how people viewed her based on her language. Despite all of these pressures to conform Anzadula stayed true to her language, Chicano Spanish. Anzadula said, “We know how to survive. When other races have given up their tongue, we’ve kept ours.” Anzadula refuses to give up her language because she would be giving up her identity.

            Identity is an important part of who we are. It defines who we are as a person on the inside and out.  It can be your appearance, character, actions, or even your language. Anzadula stays true to her language, which is a huge part of her identity. Giving up her language would be giving up a piece of herself. It is important to stay true to your identity because it defines you.

bianca brucato- black power

Bianca Brucato

September 9, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“Black Power”

            In the passage “Black Power” from the novel The Color of Water, James McBride talks about issues concerning blacks fighting for pride and justice against white oppression. Growing up as a child, James often struggled with the fact that him and his mother came from different ethical backgrounds. During James early life he was often conflicted by the love he had for his mother, and his passion to join in revolution along with his peers and fight for the rights of blacks. McBride’s main point in the concept about “black power” was not moving and compelling, but something that was evil and would end up hurting his mother.

            James felt that his mother’s life was in constant danger from the concept of “black power.” For example, when James was a boy he was boarding a bus for the summer camp he went to and one of the boy’s father was a Black Panther. James felt his mother’s life was in danger from him and tried to warn his mother. He failed to do so, and as a result punched the boy in the face out of anger and concern for his mother’s life.  The concept of “black power” filled James with panic and worry for his mother’s safety.

            I believe that this is an identity that defines who James is. James feels his mother’s life is in constant danger from the movements and revolutions of African Americans. This it gives him a negative view on African Americans joining in on “black power” movements. These movements are supposed to inspire people to fight for the rights of African Americans but instead it leaves James constantly worrying about his mother. This causes James to have an identity crisis. James feels he does not belong with the white community, who looks down on him and his mother. He also feels he does not belong with the black community, which he believes dangers his mother’s life. So the question is where does he belong. I feel that this identity crisis defines him because James is in a constant struggle to find where he belongs in life.

            The concept of “ black power” is supposed to be compelling and moving for all African Americans, but for James McBride it is the opposite. James feels it is an evil that will cause the downfall for his mother. Even though James wants to take part in the revolution for fighting for African American rights, he struggles with the idea it will bring danger for his mother. This causes James to have an identity crisis. Where does he belong in life if he cannot fit into the black or white community?

bianca brucato- what defines who you are

Bianca Brucato

September 3, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

            There are many things that can define a person. It could be an object, a person, or even a quality. When asked what defines me, I think how you present yourself and how you act can truly define who you are. Actions play a huge part in defining who you are or how you are perceived because many people judge you based upon your actions. This may be unfair, but it is the main way to get to know and trust someone because you cannot see true thoughts or intentions without acting upon them.

            First impressions are very important when you enter into new relationships, friendships, and career paths.  I think the way you come off and present yourself to others can truly define who you are. If you present yourself in a respectful and friendly manor, you can give off a good impression to others. This can help you define yourself in a positive way.  Also your actions can define who you truly are because we are responsible for the choices we make that can affect others and ourselves. If we choose to make good decisions and choices this can define us in a positive way, and if we make bad choices this can define us in a negative way. Actions can define who you are by showing your likes and dislikes, your ethnicity, culture, and many other things that shape your identity.

            There are many things that can define a person. What I believe defines who I am, are my actions and the way I present myself to others. Your actions and first impressions can define your character in a positive or negative way based upon the choices you make.

Bianca Brucato

September 3, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

1.Discuss how the opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentist’s chair connects to the overall point/message of the essay and title.

   -When Anzaldua is in the dentist’s chair her tongue keeps pushing out all of the needles, wads of cotton, and drills. The dentist says she has a wild tongue and it needs to be tames. This connects to the essay as a whole because Anzaldua is constantly being reminded to stick to one language , such as English but it is hard for her to control what comes out of her mouth because she speaks many different types of languages that are all part of her identity.

2. Discuss Anzaldua’s use of Spanish throughout her writing. Did it make sense? What was her purpose?

  -I think Anzaldua’s use of Spanish in her writing is too show and introduce cultural phrases and sayings in her writing. She uses Spanish to show the readers her Chicano Spanish side, which is a huge part of her identity. The shift from English to Spanish in also helps readers have a more personal connection with Anzaldua’s writing. The Spanish words in her writing made sense to me because I felt it made the essay more meaningful.

3.Can Academic English be defined as Spanish (Standard) and can Chicano Spanish be described as nonstandard? Why? What inferences, conclusions, can be made from referring to one identity (language) as standard verses nonstandard?

  -Most people would define Academic English as Spanish to be standard because Standard Spanish is the basic underlining language used in school and the work force. Standard Spanish is used in school, the media and job situations. Chicano Spanish can be described as non-standard because there is significant differences in the Spanish we speak from the colonization of Spanish/Anglo people that’s been developing over the years. We tend to use the basic and original language to be described as standard because that is the language we use in the media, school system, and work force.

4.Discuss the necessity of speaking and writing in Academic English as an identity. Is it necessary?

  - Knowing how to write and speak in Academic English is important to succeed in school and later on as you enter into your career path. Academic English is the language you use in school such as terms in Math, Science, English, and History. This is important because language is linked with identity. So knowing Academic English can help you excel in school and in  your career, which will help you form an identity along the way.

5.Anzaldua describes different typed of Spanish, identities. Discuss the various types of English, identities you know.

  - There are many different types of English identities some of them include British, Scottish, and French English identities. Each of these identities have their own type of culture and different ways of expressing their English identity which truly defines them from each one another.

6.Pachuco. Did you use a secret language, secret identity, to communicate to your friends? If so, what?

  -My friends and I like to communicate with our own type of slang. We like to exaggerate the meaning of our sentences and be sarcastic when we speak. I find this to be our own secret language because only we know the true meaning of it.

7.Chicano Spanish can be compared to non-standard English. Hat form of English (standard or nonstandard) do you speak with your friends (audience). What form of English do you speak when you talk to your mother (audience), professor (audience)? Why?

   -When speaking with my friends I usually use my own slang that we have made up between our friend groups or texting slang now used in the media today. When speaking with my parents or professor I like to use proper English to show them I am educated and respect them as adults and superiors.

8. “I am my language.” What does this mean? How does this statement connect to a person’s identity?

  - Your language and identity goes hand to hand. The way you speak can reflect you as a person. If you speak properly, it can show you are educated and are a bright individual. If you use slang and foul words you can come off negatively to some people. Your language can help show your culture and background, which can reflect on your identity. When you are confident in your language and truly accept it, you can learn to accept yourself and become aware of your true identity.

9.Talk specifically how the introduction and conclusion connect.

  -The introduction and conclusion connect to each other because throughout the whole essay Anzaldua is in a constant struggle to stay true to her native Spanish tongue and not conform to the ways of English language. Being pressured to adapt to the English language is hard for Anzaldua because her Spanish language is a huge part of her identity and who she is. In the introduction she is ridiculed by the dentist for having a strong accent and “wild tongue.” This is hard for her because a huge part of her identity is her language. By the conclusion Anzaldua is comfortable but still apprehensive about her Spanish language. She realizes to be confident in herself she needs to accept her native language. Anzaldua comes to a conclusion it is okay to speak both Spanish and English.

10. Can the language you speak be a part of your identity? Why?

   -The language you speak can be a huge part of your identity because it can define many things about yourself.  It can show your age, maturity level, culture, background, ethnicity, how educated you are, and your social class.

11. How important is your identity to you? Does Anzaldua believe its important to have identity? Use some examples from “How to Tame a Wild Tongue,” to support your answer.

   -My identity is very important to me because if you do not know your own identity, I feel you cannot truly be happy with yourself. Your identity defines a huge part of who you are and to truly accept yourself you need to accept and understand your identity first. Anzadula believes it is important to have identity because it helps us become aware of who we truly are and accept ourselves, including our language and ethnicity. An example of this is when she stated, “Something happened to the Chicano soul- we became aware of our reality and acquired a name and language (Chicano Spanish) that reflected that reality.”