The White Tortilla: Reflections of a Second -Generation Mexican - American

By David P. Diaz

In a book originally written for his children as a glimpse into their Latino heritage, David Diaz-a second-generation Mexican-American-recounts his life and the lessons of growing up in an ethnically... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0975576321
• ISBN13: 9780975576328
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
• Length: 130 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.3" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

A great read for all ethnicities especially students

This is a very intertesting story of a man who grew up with certain ambiguity about who he was and where he came from. Mr. Diaz uses stories and pictures from his own "familia" to give the lessons he teaches a personal backdrop. He "creates" vivid characters, taken from what must have been his own colorful childhood, and turns his experiences into examples for learning. He offers valuable advice and peppers it with humor and anecdotes. In this book you get to see how the writer and teacher come together in this 1/2 memoir, 1/2 lesson plan slash "little instruction book". Being a substitue teacher in an area with a mostly hispanic population, I found this book especially intruiging . I would love to have my students read Mr. Diaz' book and get a kick out of his stories as well as be able to relate to his dilemna on some level. I think this book would really inspire some of them to acheive greater things. Many of them would even rather read the spanish version Mr. Diaz has had translated! This is definitely a good read.

Every Latino and knowledge-seeking Anglo: read this book!

White tortilla is a fine phrase to describe the ambiguous career and social challenges facing a light-skinned, pure Latino man who is caught in the complex, dual role of operating in two different cultures. His father told him to NEVER speak Spanish at home! This fine book describes, through humor and anecdote, the identity conflict and practical difficulties shared by millions of Hispanics. Moreover, it is a story about any American who reflects, or was raised within, an ethnic culture while living in an Anglo-controlled world. Dr. Diaz writes in a smooth, literate style and uses dialogue especially well. The book is a must-read for those with heart, Latinos, students, politicians and educators. Enjoy!