Education and Accent

          My English class for this semester was quite different than other English classes that I previously took. First, I thought the class was going to be like any other English class; read a book or an article, and then write an essay about it. However, I was wrong; instead, this class was more about myself. I learned something new in this class, invisible narratives. I didn’t know anything about invisible narratives before I took this class. After taking this class, I’m able to recognize certain types of hidden invisible narratives that some people don’t realize. This class has given me a whole new process of thinking critically.

            On my very first essay, the diagnostic essay, I wrote about how education is important. While writing the essay, I kept thinking and imagining how educated people look like. The first thing that came into my mind was a tall, big, masculine, white person with blonde hair. The reason is because nowadays a lot of people can't afford to go to school, and most of them are people of color. I can think of different person when I hear the word "education, but the most common picture that comes into my head is always a white person. That’s the invisible narrative from the word education.  However, I can’t just judge those people, maybe they are a hard worker person, and maybe they use all the opportunities toward their surroundings, which is why they are educated and intelligent. Regardless of races, I believe that a lot of people are now able to receive education, that’s what matters.

            Another thing about education is that it relates to schools. I love school, not only because I like to learn, but also I like to meet new people. Going to college in the United States has given me the opportunity to expand my learning. However, since I’m not American, I have many challenges that I need to tackle. Accent is one of my biggest challenges. Some people don’t care if someone has an accent, but some of them do, and those people tend to categorize people with accent. That’s when I start seeing an invisible narrative from people with accent. People with accent tend to be treated differently than other people. Personally, it’s almost impossible for me to make friends and hangout with cool people (you know, someone with too much swag, who likes to party, etc.) because of my accent. They think that I’m not on the same level as them. Although some of them treat me like a normal person, I can feel that they are obligated or forced to do so and they don’t have high expectation on me, which makes me feel uncomfortable. Some people might have different experience (either negative or positive), but I experience this kind of situation quite often. Although this “invisible narrative” still occurs to some people, I feel rewarded because of what I have accomplished. I keep thinking positive and just be who I am. In fact, some people like my accent because I sound funny when I say certain things. Even though when someone says, “You sound funny when you say that words” might sound offensive, I use it as a tool for my sense of humor, and it works. I believe that making people laugh is the only way for me to be connected with them, and as long as they are happy, I’m happy.

             My English class has taught me and given me the opportunity to learn more about myself. I’ve never had a time when the essay is specifically more about my thought and my writing. I’m lucky for enrolling in this class because if not, I would never know what an invisible narrative is. Now I feel more confident about myself.