David Hernandez

  Judith Ortiz Cofer says, “The Island travels with you.” What part of your culture, family, or identity do you feel “travels” with you everywhere you go? Prompt Response:  My Mexican culture, and family always follows me everywhere that I go. Im proud to be who I am and walk with pride knowing I'm apart of the Mexican culture. Summary: I say this because   family is the most important to me and I always think about them when I'm out. Another thing is my culture. I always go everywhere expressing my culture with pride. Reflection:  Im proud to be apart of the mexican culture and I love my family that why I have those two things with me on my mind everywhere that I go.

  Which learning method do you enjoy the most? Class discussions, worksheet work, or hands-on activities. Select one and tell why.  Prompt Response:   I enjoy Class discussion work because it allows me to say what it on my mind.  Summary: I enjoy this method of learning because this allows me to listen and connect with other students answers. This also lets me see how others think and learn. Another reason would honestly be I just like this way and enjoy it more because It makes it less boring and its more interacting with all of us. Reflection:  This is honestly just a better method in teaching and I really think we should continue to do work/ learning this way.    

  Prompt: Write about an experience when someone assumed something about you because of a stereotype. What was the situation, and what did you do? Prompt Response:  An experience I had with someone assuming something about me was when I was at work I was hosting a birthday party for this nice white family. When I greeted everyone It came to the Grandfather. I greeted well in English, and he then began saying, "Hola come estas."  Summary: When this happened I felt some kinda way. I stopped in my place for a second then went on about my way. I felt some way because I clearly greeted him in English to clearly let him know I speak English.  Reflection:  At the end of the day I shrugged it off and kept of working. I just assumed he was trying to be nice and wanted me to feel connected?.

  Prompt: In  “ Girl ”  by Jamaica Kincaid, the mother provides her daughter with numerous expectations about how a girl should behave. Reflect on a specific gender expectation within your culture that has been challenging for you to navigate. Then describe one clear example of this expectation and explain why it has been difficult for you. Keep your response concise, vivid, and focused on your personal experience. Prompt Response:  One thing In my Mexican family and culture would be is the boys in the family are expected to be strong and not show too much emotion. Summary: Boys can sometimes feel like they have to hide their feelings and always act tough. Reflection:  This can be difficult because I think it is important to express how I feel. Sometimes I keep my feelings to my self but sometimes I cant. 

  Prompt Response:  The inspiration behind my poem was honestly just me wanting believe in my self knowing and can do it and continue to grow. I wrote this because I felt like I needed to prove something.  Reflection:  I honestly felt nervous as soon as I got picked but when I got to the front of the class I locked in and began reading keeping my head down. Doing that help me get past all the anxiety.  

  Write about a time when you did something out of the norm. What was it and how did others react? Prompt Response:  A time I can remember I did something out the norm would be me letting out my feeling in school due to bad new of my dog. That was something out of the ordinary ive never done something like that in public. Summary:  The bad new was about my dogs passing and it just hit me hard at the moment.  Reflection:  Ive now gotten better and I'm slowly accepting my dog is in a better place now and hes not suffering no more.

  Prompt: Describe a time when you felt completely lost.  Prompt Response:  A time I felt completely lost, I'd say it was recently. It happened last week I lost my dog, my best friend I couldn't believe he was gone. I couldn't believe it, it happened so soon. I felt so empty my heart ached and then I began to feel lost in my thoughts thinking were could I have gone wrong. Lost in my thoughts all I could replay was him being happy. A week has passed by I'm still hurt but I finally found my way back to reality and found my self. I've been missing him but I'm accepting that he's no longer suffering and he's better up there. Summary: I say this to say, things happen in life and sometimes you have to stay strong and overcome the hard feelings. If you ever feel lost in your feelings, and thoughts just know you will find your way back and you'll get through the struggles.  Reflection: Although my best friend is no longer here with me he gave me the best mem...

  Prompt: If someone tried to understand you using only your race, what important things would that person miss? Describe at least three other parts of your cultural identity that help make you who you are. Prompt Response:  If someone looked at my race, they would miss a lot of important stuff about me. First, they would miss my family tradition, like having carne asada to get the family together, and celebrating holidays. second they would miss my hobbies like, skating, tattooing. lastly they'd miss my language, all of these things make up who I am, not just my skin color. Summary:  Looking only at race ignores a person's family, hobbies, and language.  Reflection:  I learned that race is only one small part of a persons identity. 

  Prompt:  Think about the different people, cultures, experiences, communities, interests, and traditions that have shaped who you are.  What parts of your identity have had the greatest influence on the person you are today? Have you ever felt pressure to change, hide, or emphasize a part of yourself in order to fit in? Prompt Response:  The biggest influence on who I am today is my Mexican family and culture. My family has taught me to respect others, work hard, and always stay connected to my family. My traditions  Summary: My culture has helped me understand where I come from and what is important to me. My family has influenced my values and the way I treat other people. Reflection:  I've never felt pressured to fit in with other people I've always been a leader I never cared what another person thought. I have learned that I should be proud of who I am. My tradition is an important part of my identity.  

  Prompt:  Describe a meaningful family tradition unique to your culture and explain how it mirrors or contrasts with the cultural identity themes of expectations. Prompt Response:  A meaningful family tradition my Mexican culture is having big family gatherings also called, "Carne asadas." Families come to eat , talk, and spend time with each other. We usually make traditional Mexican foods and sing and dance. This tradition shows how important family and respect are in Mexicans culture.  Summary: My family tradition brings everyone together and helps us stay connected to our culture. It shows that family is an important part of our identity and that we are expected to support and respect one another. Reflection: This tradition is meaningful to me because it reminds me where my family comes from. it can sometimes feel like there are expectations to always respect older family members and participate in family events, but I understand that these expectations come fr...

  I want to make it through the whole school year with LESS then 5 absences to be excused out of finals. Another accomplishment I want to achieve is passing all my classes with at least a "B" Or above. Lastly I want to become a successful tattoo artist when I finish school.