- From An Immigrant Student Public School 18 Paterson New Jersey Without Words They Tell Me By Maria Mazziotti Gillan 1 (357.22 KiB) Viewed 34 times
American-Italian poet. What does it say to you about the status and
psychology of the heritage speakers (in this case Italian as
heritage language) in the US education system? What could be done
so that she could feel more comfortable and happier at school? Just
express your opinion.
From an immigrant student Public School #18: Paterson, New Jersey Without words, they tell me by Maria Mazziotti Gillan to be ashamed. I am. Miss Wilson's eyes, opaque as blue glass, fix on me: "We must speak English. I deny that booted country even from myself, want to be still and untouchable as these women We're in America now." who teach me to hate myself. I want to say, "I am American," but the evidence is stacked against me. Years later, in a white Kansas City house, My mother scrubs my scalp raw, wraps the Psychology professor tells me I remind him of the Mafia leader on the cover of Time magazine. my shining hair in white rags to make it curl. Miss Wilson drags me to the window, checks my hair for lice. My face wants to hide. My anger spits venomous from my mouth: At home, my words smooth in my mouth, I am proud of my mother, dressed all in black, I chatter and am proud. In school, proud of my father I am silent, grope for the right English words, fear the Italian word with his broken tongue, proud of the laughter and noise of our house. will sprout from my mouth like a rose, Remember me, Ladies, the silent one? I fear the progression of teachers in their sprigged dresses, I have found my voice and my rage will blow your house down. their Anglo-Saxon faces. Maria Mazziotti Gillan (b. 1940) is an American poet with Italian origin.