The character that I think moved forward in her due to the consequences she faced is Sofia. After spending the whole summer with her sisters at "the island" she decided to stay there for a year to continue her education because "the states aren't making me happy." (pg. 116) A couple of months later Sofia came home for Christmas, she was completely transformed. The sisters heard that she was actually doing well at the Island and was even dating a nice boy, but even her appearance changed to the way girls should dress in the Dominican Republic. I think Sofia used her opportunity to become a young women and stay out of trouble. In the United States, before she went to spend time in the Dominican Republic, Sofia was in to pot and was starting to go down the wrong path. I think that the time spent at the Island help her stay away from things that would tempt her to doing the wrong thing like smoking pot or disobeying her fathers rules. I think that Sofia has a mind of her own and that no one can tell her what she can or cannot do; even her father does not have control of her. I think that Sofia makes her own decisions that are best for herself and does not care what outcome they will have or who it would hurt in the long run.
One positive aspect out of the book so far, in my opinion, would be their one year anniversary of coming to America. I thought this was positive because in the beginning things for the Garcia family was not easy. They are living in a new country with no friends, leaving their family behind in the Dominican Republic, and starting completely over. After they had been in the United States for the year, they started to adapt to their surroundings. They had a house and all their daughters went to a school. I am not saying that they did not have difficulties, but it is a big accomplishment to live and prosper in a new country with no one they knew except their family. I would name this person vs. society. Before they came to the united states, Carlos was is a huge deal of trouble with the government in the Dominican Republic for he was planning of overthrowing the dictator. Carlos and his family was lucky enough to be able to leave and live in the America, but not his whole family was lucky enough. His brother was held with charges and could not leave the Dominican Republic. Even though Carlos and his family was able to move to the United states, it was still not easy for them to restart their whole entire lives again.
I think that today many things are based on race and what you can or cannot do because of what color skin you have. In Jeremy Lins story he did not fit into the professional scenery because usualy only white and blacks play basketball at that level except for the few like Yao Ming. The only reason he is playing in pro basketball is because he almost 8 feet tall. I am not saying that asians are not good basketball players, but it is said that this sport is more of a white and black race. Asians are good at studying and doing well in education. Even in high school, things are based upon what race you are in. However, it has always been that way. For centuries, people have been based on what type of color skin they have, how they talk, and much more. Many people who have come to America have been discriminated against and been bullied for it. Jeremy Lin proved that it does not matter what race you are, that you can do what ever you put your mind to. I believe that race should not matter on how people can or cannot do things just because they are black, white, asian, or anything else.
I found your responses very interesting. I did not write about Sofia, however I agree with a lot of your comments regarding how Sofia was able to move forward and emotionally progress by learning and growing from her past experiences and memories. Additionally, I found it really interesting that we both wrote about the same thing for the second question. We both chose to write about the Garcia's one year anniversary of moving to America was a positive experience. Throughout this blog I am beginning to see how similar our responses are for many questions. Lastly, your response to the third question was interesting. I don't know if I would necessarily agree with the assertion that basketball is a white and black sport, but I do see how you could come to that notion.
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