Education is Essential: An annotated

bibliography focused on the struggles

among immigrant youth in terms of

their education

Andrew Berry

ENG 112B

Spring 2007

I chose to take the topic of nonfiction and focus it on the importance of immigration and education among youth. I have always felt passionately about this subject on account of traveling abroad, books I have read, songs I have heard, poetry I have seen spoken, and most importantly my encounters with immigrants. I have a deep understanding of the struggles that they are forced to face. I know that by focusing on organizing my thoughts and several sources that reflect on this subject I may be able to help future immigrant youth avoid strenuous problems.

There are several types of difficulties that I address in my bibliography in regards to immigrant youth and education. They are forced to endure such things as language barriers, separation from family, social segregation, and remembering the culture from which they came. Essentially, it is important to concentrate on all of these topics because each one has its importance and relevance in terms of assimilation into another country.

I chose to use three types of sources for my bibliography including, informational books, literary nonfiction, poetry, and music. I think that in order to get a full perspective in terms of the seriousness of my topic it requires the use of several types of artistic mediums from numerous authors. For example, poetry, music, and literary nonfiction give me a deeper understanding of the actual emotions and experiences that immigrants face, but alternatively informational books provide facts, such as statistics, demographics, and psychological studies.

Overall, I have woven a web of relevant sources together to form a sophisticated argument as to why this subject is of concern and should be understood by the masses. If immigrant youth wish to succeed in the world, live life to its fullest potential, happy and healthy than these topics must undeniably addressed.

Adams, Leah D. and Kirova, Anna. 2007. "Global migration and education: school, children, and families." Mahway, New Jersey. : Lawrence Erlbau

Associates.

This book focuses on immigration and education in a multicultural environment. The book contains evidence from various countries around the world, including cases from Germany, Latin America, the Caribbean, Haiti, and Australia. The topics range from issues at a primary level, as well as secondary, and college. My favorite chapter was centered on the idea of community based education for children that come from immigrant migrant workers. This topic is one of general concern for me and I fully support the authors� comprehension of activism and support. By relating to those around you and by receiving encouragement, one is able to reach their goals more easily.

Brown, Jean E. and Stephens, Elaine C. 1998. "United in diversity: using multicultural youth adult literature in the classroom.� Urbana, Illinois: National Council of Teachers of English.

I enjoyed this book because its contents consist of various young writers. I feel that it is essential for one to relate to the literature he or she is reading. Many of the stories take a light approach on the intense topic of immigration. Humor is used, as well as metaphors such as the "web of life." As a young student, it is nice to read literature from writers who I can associate with. My favorite section of the book was Eve Bunting's chapter on "helping to improve multicultural understanding through humor." I enjoyed her light heartedness while she was able to remain composed and sincere. I previously felt that by using humor to address serious topics individuals may not fully respect the information they are receiving, but I found that it can be used to help lighten the intensity of the topic. It may be hard for some to comprehend this issue because of cultural differences, but humor can be used to ease individuals into understanding.

DebBurman, Noyna. 2005. "Immigrant Education: variations by generation, age-at- immigration, and country of origin." New York: LFB Scholarly.

This book focuses on the issues that immigrant youth are faced with upon entering the United States. Factors such as where one comes from, the age in which they enter school, the age in which they are forced to adapt all play an important role in one's assimilation. Statistics in the book prove that an immigrant child who begins schooling at a younger age, such as preschool, is more prone to succeed than one who enters in high school. It is also scientifically proven that younger children are able to learn a foreign language easier than older adults. This easy and early adaptation to a language barrier helps one in school too.

Fass, Paula S. 2007. "Children of a New World: society, culture, and globalization." New York: New York University Press.

Paula Fass does a great job portraying immigrant youth in both a smaller, community setting as well as in a global, worldly setting. She discusses youth and education through the historical portrayal of New York City high schools in the 1930's. She then delves into post World War II data and then transitions into the present American culture of immigration. Although the book is written in the present, it mostly provides historical evidence from the past, which is will always be relevant. To stop history from repeating itself we must understand the past.

Gallo, Donald R. 2004. "First Crossing: stories about teen immigrants." Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

This book consists of ten different chapters that are all written by different individuals. Each writer tells a story of their own personal experiences. This is a great way to include the masses, because it gives many readers a chance to find a particular story to identify with. Chapter Three, entitled "Second Culture Kids," was the most intriguing to me. The theme of literacy is very prevalent in this chapter and it portrays a strong cultural gap. The author of this chapter illustrates the difficulties of assimilation and adaptation to new surroundings. Both literacy and communication are difficult to achieve when a language barrier is strong, and the writer describes the intensities of these instances. Overall, the book is filled with a wide range of personal incidents and topics, but the literacy component stood out the most to me.

Martinez, Elizabeth. 1998. "De Colores Means All of Us." Cambridge, Massachusetts: South End Press.

This book focuses on multi-cultural views from various Latina individuals. Issues such as the struggles for social justice and historical activism are touched upon throughout this peace of literature. Chapter 6, entitled "La Lucha Continua: Youth in the Lead" focuses on the struggles of maturing adolescences. This chapter first introduces the history of the Chicano Movement, specifically in New Mexico and California. Students from The Raza high school organized a successful protest, with many young women who took the initiative. Although these young individual are struggling with racism, it is very encouraging and empowering to hear of the action they took and continue to take in the present day. The youth are the future.

Portes, Alejandro and Rumbaut, Ruben G. 1996. "Immigrant America." Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press.

This book focuses on all aspects of immigration, ranging from health, education, occupations, adults, and youth. Chapter Six specifies on language and education. Its main focus is the point that it is difficult to assimilate to a culture where the language barrier is so intensely prevalent. It is challenging for these immigrant individuals to live in their new environment while simultaneously trying to hold onto their personal cultural roots. Without the knowledge of English, it is impossible for an individual to thrive in educational, occupational, and social atmospheres. Although it is extremely difficult to learn, "The shift to English is both an empirical fact and a cultural requirement demanded of foreigners who have sought a new life in America (230)." It also important for these individuals to remember and respect where they came from, but without the knowledge of new language upon their immigration they may never fully understand the significance of remembering their ancestry.

Suarez-Orozco, Carola and Marcelo. 2001. "Children of Immigration." Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England: Harvard University Press.

Although this entire book focuses on immigration and youth, Chapter Five concentrates on "The Children of Immigration in School." The chapter begins by stating the importance of education in today's American society. In order to become a successful asset to society and to achieve a good job, one must minimally obtain a high school degree. Although statistics prove that immigrants have a strong love for schooling, they seem to continuously struggle with the topic. Issues such as language barriers, new surrounding neighborhoods, and social segregation all contribute to the lack of achievement that immigrant students are faced with. It is also critically significant for the parents of these students to be involved and encouraging. The lack of bilingualism makes it difficult for both the students and their parents to perform to their best ability.

Johana Cortes. 2006. �Both of us, not just I.� www.boloji.com.

This poem seemed undoubtedly significant and relevant to my topic, because it involves the separation of a child from a mother as upon their attempted immigration to the United States. It appears that the mother is forced to stay behind in their country while leaving her child with a relative and his family. In essence, this poem demonstrates one of the many struggles immigrants whether undocumented or not must face; potentially leaving loved ones behind. It is terrible that this shattering separation essentially roots to being able to provide for oneself through the use of money.

Clinton Fearon. �Chatty Mouth.� http://hjem.get2net.dk/sbn/gladi/trenchtown.htm.

I chose this song because it demonstrates the point that no matter whom one becomes or where they end up they should not get to caught up in what you they doing. It also addresses the idea that one should enjoy their life and not be strongly affected by the power the money. It gives hope that some day the differences between individuals will be understood on a greater level and the struggle will end, as well. The most important illustration that this song projects is the belief that one should not forget their roots and always remember their culture.

Chatty Mouth 

Written and sung by Clinton Fearon

"Hey mister chatty mouth !"

 Chatty chatty mouth,
 You want to know your culture
 (know your culture)

 Your boss is a warrior
 Chatty mouth you are a traitor
 You both belittle humble
 Also fight against the meek.

 But I and I and I
 By the power of Jah-I
 We shall overcome
 One fine day

 Chatty chatty mouth
 Be wise and know your culture
 (know your culture)

 Your boss shall be lost
 And you Chatty Mouth you get blow
 Remember Jah say
 "The humble of the meek they shall prevail"

 "Hey Mister Chatty Mouth,
 You'll get blow
 If you won't hear !"

 So I and I and I
 By the power of Jah-I
 We shall overcome
 One fine day

 Chatty chatty mouth
 Be wise and know your culture
 (know your culture)

 You and your boss shall be lost
 If you won't hear
 You will get blow

 You shall be weighed in the balance
 And found wanting
 (found wanting)
 you shall be run into Jah saying:
 "It isn't I who have done so and so"
 But Jah shall say
 "Depart from I, I know you not"

 And won't you hear me:
 Chatty chatty mouth,
 Be wise and know your culture....