Richard Rodriguez

Full Answer Section

• "I learned to speak English by osmosis. I was surrounded by it; it was the language I heard on the radio and television, in the movies, in school. I had no choice but to learn it."

This passage suggests that Rodriguez believes that immigrants should assimilate into American society by learning English and adopting American culture. This view is at odds with the views of many immigrant activists, who believe that immigrants should be able to maintain their native language and culture.

• "In the evenings, my mother would speak to me in Spanish. I would answer her in English. It was as if I thought two languages were better than one."

This passage suggests that Rodriguez believes that English is superior to Spanish. This view is also at odds with the views of many immigrant activists, who believe that all languages are equal and that bilingualism is a valuable skill. In addition to his views on assimilation and bilingualism, Rodriguez has also been criticized for his individualistic approach to success. In Hunger of Memory, Rodriguez writes about how he achieved success by working hard and overcoming obstacles. He does not mention the role of luck or privilege in his success, and he implies that anyone can achieve the American Dream if they are willing to work hard enough. Rodriguez's individualistic approach to success has been criticized by some immigrant activists, who argue that it ignores the structural barriers that many immigrants face. They argue that Rodriguez's success is due in part to his race, class, and gender, and that his individualistic message is not realistic for many immigrants. The backlash against Richard Rodriguez is a complex issue, and there are many factors that contribute to it. However, the passages from Hunger of Memory that I have discussed provide some insight into the reasons why Rodriguez has been criticized by immigrant activists. His views on assimilation, bilingualism, and success are at odds with the views of many immigrant activists, and his individualistic approach to success ignores the structural barriers that many immigrants face.

Sample Answer Richard Rodriguez is a Mexican-American writer who has been criticized by some immigrant activists for his views on assimilation and bilingualism. In his 1982 book, Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez, Rodriguez writes about his experience growing up in a Mexican-American family in Sacramento, California. He describes how he was forced to learn English in school, and how this process of assimilation alienated him from his family and culture. Rodriguez's ideas about assimilation have been controversial, and he has been accused of being anti-immigrant and of promoting a white, middle-class ideal. In the following passages from Hunger of Memory, Rodriguez's voice and tone convey an attitude or persona that may account for the backlash he has received from immigrant activists: