D.N, Questions: February 28, 2008.

Do Now: Can you recall a time were you were left out?

• I guess there has been times were I have been left out but being this so sudden I can't really recall any of those times. I must have become immune to it or something, but I can't really tell unless it happens now and it pisses me off.
  

Legal Alien by Pat Mora.

Comprehension Check:

• How does the poet say he is viewed by Anglos, and by Mexicans?

She says Anglos view her as a Mexican, and Mexicans viewed her as an American.

Thinking Critically:

• How do you think the poet feels about being bi-lingual and bi-cultural?

Even though its hard, she must feel proud. Proud that she comes from two different parts of the world and she is the product of crossroads.

• Think about: How is she view by Anglos and Mexicans?

She is viewed as sh doesn't belong to there cultural but to the other because of the hyphen she carries. So while of Anglos doesn't see her as one of them, they see her as a Mexican. Whereas Mexicans see her as an American: "You may speak Spanish but you're not like me."

• How do you interpret the title “Legal Alien?”

I see it as being born in America, which makes you Legal in the country, but at the same time you are not accepted because of your cultural. Those that were normally not "pure" American, were called Aliens, because they didn't come from the country. Also, it shows how alienated a person could feel not being accepted by either of your cultural.

[To continue.]