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A review by kyoungeun
The Penguin Book of Migration Literature: Departures, Arrivals, Generations, Returns by Dohra Ahmad, Edwidge Danticat
Some stories are definitely stronger than others, but generally thought-provoking and a friendly introductory anthology to a discussion I was interested in.
1. We tend to de-emphasize the 'push' factors when it comes to migration, then critiquing immigrants for failure to assimilate or adjust to a new environment. Always consider that "No one leaves home, unless home is the mouth of a shark." Sometimes it's not the pull factors.
2. Immigrants don't 'leave their country behind' and completely start their lives anew post-migration; their past experiences constitute their inner landscape and may affect their later experiences in the new country.
3. The classification of immigrants into 1st-gen, 1.5-gen or 2nd-gen is confusing and shoddy bc 1st genners are often immigrants themselves.
1. We tend to de-emphasize the 'push' factors when it comes to migration, then critiquing immigrants for failure to assimilate or adjust to a new environment. Always consider that "No one leaves home, unless home is the mouth of a shark." Sometimes it's not the pull factors.
2. Immigrants don't 'leave their country behind' and completely start their lives anew post-migration; their past experiences constitute their inner landscape and may affect their later experiences in the new country.
3. The classification of immigrants into 1st-gen, 1.5-gen or 2nd-gen is confusing and shoddy bc 1st genners are often immigrants themselves.