In The Gutter

"You should go on television and win a fortune!" Pg. 14

This shows that some foreigners probably think that Americans make their livings by going on game shows and doing stupid things. A major part of our lives is watching TV and stupid gameshows. They are part of the American culture. It is interesting to think that its as easy as just "going on TV and winning a fortune!"

"Make Sure you Win" Pg. 15

This shows that people are put under a lot of pressure by everyone around them. Kids are put under pressure by their parents, adults are put under pressure by their job or bills, etc. Pressure just seems to be pat of the American culture.

I-Raynians Need Not Apply

" Iranian Robs Grocery Store" Pg.117

It surprised me that, even though there was a fairly hostile situation going on with Iran at the time, that they would specify the persons race. If it were a Russian, Brazilian or even American that robbed the store then it would have just been deemed a robbery. It would not have been a major headline story, it was a headline story because of the fact that an Iranian robbed the store. It was interesting that because of a current situation something could get so much more press and acknowledgment.

"Wanted:Iranians for target practice." Pg.117

This seems like something that would never be said. But it was on a t-shirt and it was out there for the world to see. This shows that the actions of a few people can affect a whole population in a very negative way.

I Ran and I Ran and I Ran

" In case anybody attacks you, Please try and take his picture. This would be most useful." Pg.112

This shows how much hatred there was for immigrants, specifically iranians at the time. It is horrible to think that someone would viscously attack you because of your religion, race, etc. I don't believe that their is ever a reason to be violent towards others unless it is defending yourself. I just can't imagine being an Iranian and being in that situation, it must have been horrifying.

"We're afraid we are going to get beaten up. Could you please help us get back to our hotel? Pg.113

I feel like this is something that a kid or teenager might say, minus the hotel part. We hear about kids being threatened, bullied and beaten up. But there should never be a situation where a family has to ask for protection, especially to a place where they were invited to welcome the someone significant from their country. Just because someone has a different religion or race than you does not make you better then them and it doesn't give you the right to discriminate against them and violently threaten them. It was just surprising to me that a family would have to ask for protection when they were supposed to be their for a happy occasion.

Me and Bob Hope

"Then what do you celebrate?" Pg. 108

This shows how unaware Americans are of other cultures and their holidays. We only know of Christmas and Hanukah, we don;t acknowledge and other holidays because they were never brought to our attention. This shows that we need to be more aware of the people and cultures that surround us and that we should show respect for them by knowing the holidays they celebrate.

" How can Santa not bring toys for some kids when, Mommy, you told us that all kids are good inside?" Pg. 109

I think that this would probably be one of the hardest questions for a parent to answer. It is fairly simple, that some people don't celebrate christmas so santa doesn't go to their house. But kids don't understand much about religion, they just know that good kids get toys so it must be very hard for them to comprehend why some kids don't. If every kid is good inside why wouldn't they get toys no matter what their religion? It just seems like it would be something that is hard for a child to understand and that is hard for a parent to explain.