Facing Poverty Essay

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I have chosen to read and discuss “Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits” that was written by Suki Kim a Korean immigrant and now American citizen. This essay was a very interesting piece that pulled at my heart strings. I say this because I am originally from Astoria Queens, New York and could truly relate to what Suki Kim transmitted in this essay. I believe the most important point of this essay was Suki Kim’s realization that she was no longer a rich and spoiled child living in her native land, but a poor immigrant girl living in a foreign borough. I think Ms. Kim may have experienced “culture shock” when she arrived to Queens and realized this was not a dream, but her horrible reality. Ms. Kim no longer had the safety net of a wealthy family that secured her thoughts, dreams and actions. All she had at this moment was nothing compared to how she was accustomed to living. Another part of this essay that I found interesting was the language barrier that affected Suki Kim’s mentality when she first arrived to Queens. I thought it was amazing how unfamiliar she was with cultures outside her own. Ms. Kim states on p. 62, “The first English word I learned at the junior high near Queens Boulevard was F.O.B., short for fresh off the boat.” My first thought was how cruel, but a true reflection of America in Queens. Ms. Kim was used to a sheltered, reserved life. She makes reference to this in this essay where she speaks of having a governess and maids to answer her beck and call. Ms. Kim was not accustomed to hearing children label as she was accustomed to being around her people of her status. Another language barrier that Ms. Kim states took her by surprise was that she was now referred to as Asian and no longer Korean. I believe this was a direct insult to her Korean beliefs and upbringing. Ms. Kim states on p. 63, “My consolation was the English
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