Read the excerpt from Pat Mora’s essay "The Leader in the Mirror."The final gift of the evening, a mirror, was for serious gazing. I asked the students if they saw a leader when they looked into their mirrors. My guess is that too many of our young people do not see themselves as leaders because they don’t look, dress or sound like the images of leaders presented to us. But leaders come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Some are talkative while others are quiet, but they all share a determination to contribute to the society of the future.I urged the students to look often in their mirrors and to ask themselves these questions: "Am I satisfied with this world? If not, what will I do to improve it?” For if we are shaped by our surroundings, we in turn shape them. We deceive ourselves if we believe that we can live neutral lives.
Read the excerpt from Pat Mora’s essay "The Leader in the Mirror."I read them my poem "Immigrants.”Immigrantswrap their babies in the American flag,feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie,name them Bill and Daisy,buy them blonde dolls that blink blueeyes or a football and tiny cleatsbefore the baby can even walk,speak to them in thick English, hallo, babee, hallo,whisper in Spanish or Polishwhen the baby sleeps, whisperin a dark parent bed, that darkparent fear, "Will they likeour boy, our girl, our fine americanboy, our fine american girl?”As a writer, I understand the value and necessity of knowing my past, of keeping that door open.
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