1st Reflection on Reading Assignment

“Introduction” (11-27) and “Salvation” (65-75) from Multicultural Literature

“A migrant leaves three mothers: the biological mother, the mother land, and the mother tongue.”

I feel that this quote captures the experience and struggles that an immigrant goes through. My family immigrated to the United States as farm workers, and settled in Wapato, a small town in Washington State. The first couple of months my parents, my three siblings, and I slept on the floor huddled together against the cold of winter. My brother and I, ages fourteen and seven, quickly learned responsibility. We cared for our infant niece, completed the household chores, cooked, and still need to finish our studying before our parents returned from long, tiring days at work. When I was ten, I experienced first-hand how demanding it is to work in the agricultural industry. I can only relate to the struggles and frustrations that immigrants in Italy must feel.  Having to integrate in a new home and surrounding and environment can be frustrating. I agree with the text that the in order to become more knowledgeable about immigration one must become familiar with literature that discuss such topics. What I found surprising is the reaction of the main character in the chapter of “Salvation” where he adapts the same attitude as locals in Italy. That is, he/she shifts the blame of all the current issues that Italy is facing on immigrants. What I find most shocking from this response is that in his desperate need to be integrated with society he has begun to treat immigrants as “others.” He is an immigrant himself, he went/is going through such struggles of being an immigrant. What I am curious is what drove him to such state? What is causing him to think this way? Was it society? Being away from the three mothers?