"Becoming Something Different: Learning from Esmé" Connections

     When reading this article, it reminded me of "Aria" by Richard Rodriguez and the difficulties he faced as an English language learner in the American school system. He struggled with his identity as a male growing up in a Spanish speaking household and then being forced to learn English and the new identity that came with that. Esmé also came from a Spanish speaking home and had to learn English, and during that time, she was developing her identity as well. Both languages and cultures affect Rodriguez and Esmé, and shaped them into the students and people they grew up to be. Both learned what was expected from them as members of a Latino/a community, and what was expected from them as a part of an American classroom. They formed their own ideas, opinions, and friends, but it was based upon what they were being told was right. Both individuals were very bright, but were often faced with the challenges of proving this in a classroom where they could not even understand the instructions of a lesson. They met some teachers willing to work with and put in effort to see them succeed, and others did not. They also saw members of their family and community encourage them and want them to prosper, but also tried to enforce their culture and heritage as remaining one of the more important factors of their lives. Both Rodriguez and Esmé faced a constant battle between the two separate worlds, and the languages that formed the barriers.
     Esmé also faced a lot of challenges based on her ethnicity, which reminded me of the constant struggle people face because of white privilege and the article by Peggy McIntosh perfectly exemplifies that. Coming from a Mexican family who knew very little English, Esmé did not receive any privileges and actually had to overcome many obstacles. She was placed in a remedial English class, but had other honors level classes. When she wanted to move down to a regular level class they moved her into all regular classes and she did not keep any honors ones. I feel if she was white, they would have allowed her to remain in some honors classes and some regular, or worked with her/given her the necessary help to remain in the honors classes. I think white power and privilege plays a huge role in the American school system and in order for all students to succeed that needs to change.
     I feel as though if Esmé were white, her time in American schools would have been a lot different. As a white individual, you never have to worry about whether or not you will understand your teacher, and that is the biggest privilege of all in my opinion. If she were a white student struggling, I think she would have received more help than what she was given as a non-white student and she wouldn't have been so quickly questioned about special education. This is currently happening in my service learning classroom. There are a few students who are English language learners and they are being tested for a special education program. But their teacher has said multiple times, and I have observed that there is in fact no need for special education programs to be implemented, they just need more help and explanations when it comes to certain things because they still have not fully grasped the language they are being spoken to in. They are not given the same opportunities, and some do not have a teacher or adult to advocate for them.
     This video is about how every child needs a champion; someone to advocate and work for their students' success. She also mentions how building relationships are so important during a child's time at school, because these relationships help form who they are and help them to do better. It seems that without Esmé's friends, school would have been very different and probably much more difficult without them there to help along the way. She liked her friends, and they influenced her to work hard at her studies. When she faced moving back to Mexico, she thought about how it would be to leave them behind. Throughout her time at school, Esmé had some teachers who really worked hard to try and help her. They sat with her and answered questions, and she felt those were good teachers whom she learned a lot from. If she had more teachers like that, instead of ones who were quick to drop her from the honors classes, then maybe her experience at school would have been very different. Like Esmé, children need someone who will work with them and for them in order to see them succeed. It gives them confidence, and allows them to blossom into the type of student they want to be and forms their identities beyond the classroom.