Like Me, by Susan J. Nakaoka, Assistant Professor, Division of Social Work, Sacramento State

The borderlands, liminality, double consciousness, in-betweenness – there are many terms that describe the space that people of color occupy in the U.S. Gale Minna provides us with a beautiful representation of this space by illustrating the feeling of inadequacy when despite all efforts, one is still left “othered.” A mix of poetry, illustration and quotes, Minna describes experiences that are all too familiar for those of us that have struggled to fit in, while remaining on the fringes.

As a third generation Japanese American/Chicana, I saw myself in “Like them.” Part One details how students are taught nursery rhymes and “American” holiday traditions in elementary school. Learning grammar, geography and even a foreign language is done so from a Eurocentric perspective. The illustrations are so familiar – from the notebook, lined paper background, the pilgrim hat and “Indian” paper headband to the scantron sheet, the images point out the ways in which U.S. schools indoctrinate students into one particular history, culture and way of knowing.

Part two is more direct, speaking explicitly to themes of capitalism and genocide in contrast to the ways in which we are taught that “explorers” “discovered” and “saved” Indigenous people and enslaved Black people. In part three, the arbitrary borders of school districts and geographc boundaries are questioned, as are the ways in which they form barriers to keep some people out. The illustrations provide more depth, including examples of common microaggressions inflicted upon Asian Americans and the conclusion that despite all of her effort, she is othered.

Having fulfilled similar roles as described in the piece, I remember the feeling of inadequacy that Minna mentions. Because the history books do not mention the history form the point of view of people of color, my own family’s experience of incarceration during World War II, was not acknowledged, nor validated. Decolonizing education is one pathway to social justice for all. Culturally affirming education practices, in which difference is cherished and not attacked, can help to empower immigrant students and students of color. Minna’s poignant words represent so many of our experiences in education, reflecting on the yearning to belong and the regret of giving up who we are in order to please the dominant society.