I Love Yous are for White People

I Love Yous are for White People

By Lac Su      Harper Perennial (2009)               ISBN: 9780061543661

Lac Su's memoir isn't just a story that provides insight into the life of immigrants trying to navigate the "white world" of Los Angeles. I Love Yous are for White People is mostly about Su coming to terms with his relationship with his father. Even in the book's dedication, Su writes, " To Pa, I remember everything you've said to me, everything you've never said to me, everything you've done to me, and everything you've done for me."

Su's journey begins as a young boy, age 5. Vietnam has just been overcome by Communism and Su's family must leave the country, especially since Pa is known as a successful capitalist. Su describes his terrifying boat ride to China. Along the way, one boat capsizes killing all the Vietnamese refugees on board. After Su's boat nearly sinks, he, his family, and the other refugees on board are picked up, illegally, by a passing Chinese navy ship. Eventually Su makes it to Hollywood, CA, where his family live in poverty and struggle to adapt to a new culture while maintaining a deep connection to their "people."   Su lives in fear of his father as Pa is subject to bursts of anger that usually result in sever beatings. As a result, Su turns to the gang, the Street Ratz, in the hope of feeling accepted and loved--something he never receives from his father. Overall, I Love Yous are for White People is a shocking tale of a boy between two different, yet violent worlds. 

Quantitative: Lexile Level--NA; ATOS--NA;

Flesch-Kincaid grade level—4.5; Flesch-Kincaid ease—86.4

Qualitative: Although I Love Yous are for White People is not a difficult read as the Flesch-Kincaid grade level and ease scores indicate, the memoir's use of foul language and graphic violence make this book one best geared for high school students. In fact, I would not even recommend this for a school library. With that said, the memoir does, however, speak to those populations living in poor, urban areas. When considering Su's use of curse words, it is important to note that many immigrants that cannot speak English, learn these words to protect themselves since they are often teased or discriminated against. Lac Su speaks of domestic violence, teenage drinking as a coping mechanism, gangs, acceptance, child molestation, and the quality of life of those living in poverty. I know many students at the high school I work at would really identify with Lac Su for these reasons. 

Content Area: English; Social Science--U.S. History; Social Science--World History; Health--Relationships; Healthy--Prejudice: Health--Self esteem

Curriculum Suggestions: If a teacher were to use this text as a primary source in class, I believe it would be best to examine the effects of poverty on immigrant populations. Areas of exploration could include:

1) Vietnam War

2) Communism

3) Poverty

4) Gangs
5) Father-son dynamics and male acceptance
6) The power of word choice and language

Common Core Standards: RH.11/12.1-3

Additional/Digital Content: 

• PBS--American Experience--http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/ 
• Immigration and Poverty in the United States--http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/focus/pdfs/foc262e.pdf 

Personal Thoughts: Although I see how some boys would devour a book like this, it is difficult to justify its place on a school library's shelves. I picked this book up because I thought it would be a great addition to the library's collection; it connects to a specific demographic at OHS and it is a piece of narrative non-fiction. But, I can see it causing potential issues for parents and administrators. However, at the same time, I feel there is much to be extracted from Su's story. Knowing just how "appropriate" a text is, is something that I still struggle with especially when I consider about reluctant readers. 

*Meets the “Reading for Pleasure HS/MS” requirement