How do Jonathan Stern's and Helen Wu's family stories of immigration compare to the Shahs' story?

Jonathan Stern and Helen Wu briefly provide accounts of their families' different experiences with immigration to the United States. How do they compare to the Shahs' story?

I have to admit this was one part of the book that stuck out to me as heavy-handed in its delivery. I understand that this is a conversation that happens frequently and organically in the US (where are you from? and the subsequent explanation of why you belong in the US), so I can see why the author included it.

I think the exchange between Ashok and Helen was more natural and could have been thought-provoking on its own without the inclusion of Jonathan's explanation of his own background (which felt like oneupsmanship over Helen). Jonathan came across as very disingenuous to me, but I do think it speaks to the greater point of how many of us carry our family's trauma with us, even if it hasn't directly impacted our upbringing.

I just wish we could see Ashok come to his own realization that people have varied backgrounds and experiences with "becoming American," rather than being lectured by Jonathan/the author.

I actually thought the author did a wonderful job in presenting three different ways immigrants are viewed in this country and all the assumptions that go with them. Jonathan's story was necessary because in our caste system, as a white man he is the "gold standard". Yet he pointed out that his name alone can expose him to anti-semitism. Helen has had to get used to people assuming because she's Asian she must not be from this country. The Shahs are first generation immigrants, unaware that a caste system exists in America, similar to what they had left. Yet they quickly fell into the trap by not wanting to be associated with people who were protesting injustices to Black people. Ashok thought he was better. We unfortunately draw too many conclusions about people just by looking at them. I will never forget the time I had to pick my daughter up from middle school in Connecticut. Because we were Black, the principal assumed I had driven a long way to get to the school so she apologized. She thought my daughter was part of the minority busing program even though we only lived a few blocks from the school in the majority white neighborhood.

I think Stern was trying to establish rapport with Ashok when he told his story. Ashok was having a lot of trouble understanding how all this could be happening to his family - when he had done everything right.

In this passage, we see how easily he (who was in the throes of discrimination himself) questions Wu's status as a real American. Stern - who notes that he never receives that question (even though his family has been here less time than Wu's) -relates that he, also is suspect for being Jewish.

This is not about one upping victim status, but rather explaining that he understands what Ashok is feeling.

When people are in the middle of facing problems such as this, it can be hard to identify allies and to believe that anyone who is not suffering the exact same kind of discrimination cannot possibly understand - and is even part of the reason they are suffering.

The author said in an interview that when she wrote this book, she was concerned about the level of discourse currently - that it is almost impossible to rationally discuss issues with anyone who is different and perceived to be some sort of enemy. We no longer seem to be willing to see people as individuals and not representatives of groups or political parties and to listen to any disagreement.

Sadly, I think she is right about that.

I appreciate Lyris's comments. Thanks for sharing a part of an interview with the author. I think the author did a wonderful job in addressing her concerns with this book.

Helen’s ancestors came to California 150 years ago to help build the railroad. She is the 7th generation of the Wu clan in America. Jonathan is one generation from Poland. His mother was a baby when she escaped the Holocaust. Ashok is first generation from India. But he certainly is an American. He has worked hard, has a good business and three children born and being raised in America. But because of the color of his skin he still feels like an immigrant. My grandparents immigrated from Czechoslovakia. There was a community of Czechs in Lake Stevens Wa. My grandparents never learned English. Of course all the kids were bilingual. Grandpa died when I was 5, grandma when I was 15. Mom died in 1999. I am sorry that I did not ask her more questions about how her family was treated. She did tell me more than once that she felt inferior because classmates made fun of her because her parents did not speak English.

I think that, although this was a very brief part of the story, it was a necessary part. It helped the Shah family see they are were part of a larger community of immigrants. The idea of a larger community of immigrants was important for story so that people/readers are exposed to all the variety of immigrants. Sadly, in today’s America many do not have a favorable view of immigrants. With so many types of immigration mentioned in the book it showed the reader that immigration is much broader than the current limited view.

I think their stories all show how people are reacted to because of the color of their skin or their accent. Stern had family that had survived the Holocaust but no one ever questioned how long his family had been here. Helen always got that question even though her family had been here for generations. They all thought of themselves as Americans. And I feel like because of Stern's background he was maybe more sympathetic to making sure that Ajay didn't go to jail.

This section of the story is important as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the broader picture. The notion of a varied immigrant community is significant in the narrative because it reminds (and exposes) readers of the diverse range of immigrant experiences.