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You Sound Like a White Girl
Nationally bestselling author Julissa Arce beautifully interweaves her own experiences with cultural commentary to dispell the myth that assimilation leads to happiness and belonging for immigrants in America, and instead calls for a celebration of our uniqueness, our origins, our heritage, and the beauty of the differences that actually make us Americans.
Arce, who came to live in Texas from Mexico at age 11, shares the story of her assimilation to America, learning English, losing her culture, making money while undocumented and working on Wall Street, and the inevitable scars that came from pursuing an ever-moving goal post. She interweaves current political events and Latinx history into personal stories, covering topics including racism, cultural identity, money, friendships, and love. Arce's goals are two-fold: by sharing her experiences she wants to encourage other people of color to recognize who they are is more than enough to be American, and she believes more visibility and representation of the Latinx experience will force people to recognize Hispanics as the Americans they are, rather than outsiders.
Rejecting Assimilation will address the issue of trying to be American without losing culture, and explore the positive effects and importance of recognizing yourself in the culture that surrounds you.
Arce, who came to live in Texas from Mexico at age 11, shares the story of her assimilation to America, learning English, losing her culture, making money while undocumented and working on Wall Street, and the inevitable scars that came from pursuing an ever-moving goal post. She interweaves current political events and Latinx history into personal stories, covering topics including racism, cultural identity, money, friendships, and love. Arce's goals are two-fold: by sharing her experiences she wants to encourage other people of color to recognize who they are is more than enough to be American, and she believes more visibility and representation of the Latinx experience will force people to recognize Hispanics as the Americans they are, rather than outsiders.
Rejecting Assimilation will address the issue of trying to be American without losing culture, and explore the positive effects and importance of recognizing yourself in the culture that surrounds you.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2022
534 people are currently reading
16801 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 587 reviews
July 22, 2022
I have so many thoughts about this book that I’m going to try and collectively express in this review, but the overall theme is anger. The author, Julissa Arce, is so incredibly tone deaf and willfully shackled by the settler colonial state of Mexico (alongside its catholic views) that the fact that she even had the audacity to write this book astounds me.
1) there’s this lingering Mexican nationalist language throughout the entirety of the book by the author herself while she simultaneously tries to criticize the United States’ “nativist” views and rhetoric. How could you be nationalist yourself (who still abides by the caste system, which she openly admits) while also trying to argue that the US is stuck in its white supremacist ways? Weird. There’s also ZERO mention of the fact that more people from Central America migrate and DIE on their way to the US border then Mexicans, and she homogeneous’ all of us who are south of the US border as if we all live within the traditional “mestizaje” Mexican lens. Blatant erasure.
2) there were more times than I could count where she literally equated the experiences - although similar, I admit, but NOT the same - of the slaughter and displacement of the Indigenous peoples in the so called United States to the mistreatment of Mexicans. Yes, the Indigenous Mexican peoples did face and STILL face the true atrocities at the hands of the settler colonial state, but Arce herself states that she is a Mexican, that is her race, and that she does not claim Indigenous identity while also in the same breath tries to preach this idea of unity with native peoples while simultaneously distancing herself from them.
3) Arce, a woman who has Indigenous physical features who early in the book states that she cannot claim Indigineity because it isn’t hers to claim, not only denounces and distances herself from her own reality, but she then LATER ON in the second half of the book begins to slip in her newfound Indigenous identity? In the same breath, she goes so far to argue that Latinidad should remain intact as “Latinos” everywhere experience similar plights, REGARDLESS of race.
4) lastly, this book was absolute trash. Full of toxic positivity, white feminist rhetoric cloaked in struggle and triumph, while also mentioning her many accomplishments and landing a position at Goldman Sachs. I hated this book so much and honestly, maybe she “sounds like a white girl” on purpose. Maybe her denial of wanting to assimilate into whiteness is just a mask to try and fool the real Black and brown leaders who fight the fight everyday.
Don’t read this book, seriously. Read, “The Undocumented Americans” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio instead.
1) there’s this lingering Mexican nationalist language throughout the entirety of the book by the author herself while she simultaneously tries to criticize the United States’ “nativist” views and rhetoric. How could you be nationalist yourself (who still abides by the caste system, which she openly admits) while also trying to argue that the US is stuck in its white supremacist ways? Weird. There’s also ZERO mention of the fact that more people from Central America migrate and DIE on their way to the US border then Mexicans, and she homogeneous’ all of us who are south of the US border as if we all live within the traditional “mestizaje” Mexican lens. Blatant erasure.
2) there were more times than I could count where she literally equated the experiences - although similar, I admit, but NOT the same - of the slaughter and displacement of the Indigenous peoples in the so called United States to the mistreatment of Mexicans. Yes, the Indigenous Mexican peoples did face and STILL face the true atrocities at the hands of the settler colonial state, but Arce herself states that she is a Mexican, that is her race, and that she does not claim Indigenous identity while also in the same breath tries to preach this idea of unity with native peoples while simultaneously distancing herself from them.
3) Arce, a woman who has Indigenous physical features who early in the book states that she cannot claim Indigineity because it isn’t hers to claim, not only denounces and distances herself from her own reality, but she then LATER ON in the second half of the book begins to slip in her newfound Indigenous identity? In the same breath, she goes so far to argue that Latinidad should remain intact as “Latinos” everywhere experience similar plights, REGARDLESS of race.
4) lastly, this book was absolute trash. Full of toxic positivity, white feminist rhetoric cloaked in struggle and triumph, while also mentioning her many accomplishments and landing a position at Goldman Sachs. I hated this book so much and honestly, maybe she “sounds like a white girl” on purpose. Maybe her denial of wanting to assimilate into whiteness is just a mask to try and fool the real Black and brown leaders who fight the fight everyday.
Don’t read this book, seriously. Read, “The Undocumented Americans” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2022
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Goodreads for this Advanced Reader's Copy for an honest review. I’m white and grew up with friends of all colors in Florida and am blessed to have that to this day. I cling to empowering people from ALL nationalities because we make each other stronger—you don’t build a house upon or from one element like sand if you want it to stand; you build from many different materials to build something amazing, beautiful and strong. You Sound Like a White Girl by Julissa Arce is to me a love story to all of us about remembering and being vulnerable to share our roots with others, and to stop judging each other, and lend a hand to everyone—in the workplace, in the streets, everywhere. I guess because I grew up in Florida with Cubans fleeing for their lives, starting new lives with nothing, and showing how we’re all better together, with so many differences but with much more in common, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone. We all have a lot to learn about each other. And ultimately life is about loving each other as we are and where we are, and the author intimately delivers.
June 1, 2022
I was a big fan of the idea behind this book, but didn’t actually enjoy the book. I think the author has a powerful voice. However, I also felt a sense of hypocrisy reading about someone with her education, career background, and citizenship pathway arguing against assimilation AFTER having reaped the benefits of assimilation herself. I got real “do as I say, not as I do” vibes.
The most interesting thing about this book is the conflation/distinction between racism and classism. Particularly when discussing communities of the top 1% of earners I tend to find that this book overemphasizes the effects of racism among the upper class and underestimates the impact of classism.
The most interesting thing about this book is the conflation/distinction between racism and classism. Particularly when discussing communities of the top 1% of earners I tend to find that this book overemphasizes the effects of racism among the upper class and underestimates the impact of classism.
March 9, 2022
I liked this book a lot. I liked the accessible style Arce writes with. She is able to distill a lot of complex history into an approachable introduction for her readers. She also gives so much of her story in memoir style. This book is doing double duty. I also loved the tone. Very much not catering to white audiences. The first half is stronger than the second mostly because there’s too much Mexican and Latine history to cram into 80 pages so it felt inadequate.
July 3, 2023
3.5***
Subtitle: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation
Arce came to the United States with her parents when she was only eleven years old. Eager to achieve “the American Dream” (whatever that is), she studied hard, perfected her English, excelled at college and got a prestigious job at Goldman Sachs. All while undocumented. But no matter the outward appearance of success, Arce felt that she was not accepted or welcomed. Her take on this is that the white people in power will never allow brown and black people to actually assimilate in the USA culture.
Arce gives many examples of ways in which white people have harmed indigenous populations, from the Spaniards who conquered and killed off Aztec, Mayan and Incan populations, to the US settlers who stole the land and resources from the various native tribes in what is now the United States.
But the tone of her arguments in the book was so angry and outraged, so self-important and uncompromising that it turned me off.
I am a Mexican-American woman. I was born in the USA, as was my mother, but I barely spoke English when I started school. When I came to college I was often asked “Where are you from?” And yet, I never felt like I did NOT belong. I took the questions of others as natural curiosity, and I answered, “I’m from Texas.” I didn’t turn my back on my cultural heritage, but I fully identified as being “American.” As I read this book, I kept wondering how Arce can bear the weight of all that outrage and anger. It must be exhausting.
She has some valid points to make in this book, but in the end, I think “she doth protest too much.”
It’ll be interesting to see what the others in my Hispanic book club think of this book. (It’s scheduled for discussion in October.)
Subtitle: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation
Arce came to the United States with her parents when she was only eleven years old. Eager to achieve “the American Dream” (whatever that is), she studied hard, perfected her English, excelled at college and got a prestigious job at Goldman Sachs. All while undocumented. But no matter the outward appearance of success, Arce felt that she was not accepted or welcomed. Her take on this is that the white people in power will never allow brown and black people to actually assimilate in the USA culture.
Arce gives many examples of ways in which white people have harmed indigenous populations, from the Spaniards who conquered and killed off Aztec, Mayan and Incan populations, to the US settlers who stole the land and resources from the various native tribes in what is now the United States.
But the tone of her arguments in the book was so angry and outraged, so self-important and uncompromising that it turned me off.
I am a Mexican-American woman. I was born in the USA, as was my mother, but I barely spoke English when I started school. When I came to college I was often asked “Where are you from?” And yet, I never felt like I did NOT belong. I took the questions of others as natural curiosity, and I answered, “I’m from Texas.” I didn’t turn my back on my cultural heritage, but I fully identified as being “American.” As I read this book, I kept wondering how Arce can bear the weight of all that outrage and anger. It must be exhausting.
She has some valid points to make in this book, but in the end, I think “she doth protest too much.”
It’ll be interesting to see what the others in my Hispanic book club think of this book. (It’s scheduled for discussion in October.)
April 4, 2022
Audiobook. An important message, but not a new message for me. The people who need to hear this message, will they pick up this book?
March 16, 2022
Wow. There is so much to say about this book, and yet anything that I could possible write about this book could not do it justice. The title of this book is provocative. As a non-white woman, I've been told numerous times that I "sound like a white girl." For other women of color, we know that this phrase is loaded. It means a lot of things and typically all of them are racist. However, I didn't really know if I would really like the book. I've read so many memoir-esq social justice books. Each person's experience is unique, special, and oftentimes painful. And we don't always need to read about it. Oftentimes, the author (or more likely than not the publisher) flattens the experience to please white readers so that they can feel better about reading a book by a non-white person. I honestly thought this might be one of those books. I was so happy to be wrong.
Julissa Natzely Acre Raya has written a book that is part memoir, part essay, and part history lesson detailing what it means to be Mexican in North America. Acre doesn't shy away from the hard truths of her journey, her attempts to assimilate and to be "good," participating in the capitalistic machine, and ultimately even being published under the same imprint that published 'American Dirt.' It was extremely refreshing to read someone who was so willing to look at the full picture of their own humanity and bring the humanity of others into their justice and liberation work. Reading this book, reinvigorated my hope in a more just future for all.
Another thing that puts Acre leagues above others who write about justice work is how intersectional her approach was in talking about issues affecting Mexicans in the US. While centering Mexican issues throughout the entire book, Acre did an excellent job of acknowledging where certain Mexican movements got inspiration (and also inspired) other identity based movements across the country. She spoke of the dual situality that Mexicans have in certain issues, such as race in the US, and did not shy away from the topic. She explained multiple sides of the issue, asserted her personal opinion, while also allowing the reader space to form their own thoughts on the situation. I've seen so many authors fumble around sensitive topics that affect identities outside of their own. As someone with multiple intersecting marginalized, I can find myself frustrated by the way this can be handled. I think that many activists and scholars could learn a lot from how Acre handled many of these topics in You Sound Like a White Girl, and I will be recommending this book to others invested in justice and liberation work.
Thank you to Julissa Acre, Flatiron Books, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It was truly a pleasure!
Julissa Natzely Acre Raya has written a book that is part memoir, part essay, and part history lesson detailing what it means to be Mexican in North America. Acre doesn't shy away from the hard truths of her journey, her attempts to assimilate and to be "good," participating in the capitalistic machine, and ultimately even being published under the same imprint that published 'American Dirt.' It was extremely refreshing to read someone who was so willing to look at the full picture of their own humanity and bring the humanity of others into their justice and liberation work. Reading this book, reinvigorated my hope in a more just future for all.
Another thing that puts Acre leagues above others who write about justice work is how intersectional her approach was in talking about issues affecting Mexicans in the US. While centering Mexican issues throughout the entire book, Acre did an excellent job of acknowledging where certain Mexican movements got inspiration (and also inspired) other identity based movements across the country. She spoke of the dual situality that Mexicans have in certain issues, such as race in the US, and did not shy away from the topic. She explained multiple sides of the issue, asserted her personal opinion, while also allowing the reader space to form their own thoughts on the situation. I've seen so many authors fumble around sensitive topics that affect identities outside of their own. As someone with multiple intersecting marginalized, I can find myself frustrated by the way this can be handled. I think that many activists and scholars could learn a lot from how Acre handled many of these topics in You Sound Like a White Girl, and I will be recommending this book to others invested in justice and liberation work.
Thank you to Julissa Acre, Flatiron Books, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It was truly a pleasure!
July 14, 2022
As someone whose maternal grandparents were Mexican and as someone who has a somewhat complicated ethnic identity, I was very much looking forward to reading Arce's book.
On the positive side of things, I feel like You Sound Like A White Girl would be a good read for non-Latinos. She covers a lot of ground in terms of her personal life story and Latino history, politics, culture, and so much more. And she does it in a very accessible sort of way.
On the flip side (aka negative side), as someone who follows Latino politics and has a good understanding of Latino history, culture, etc., most of her points... most of her historical, political, and cultural examples... I already knew about. In some ways, she was preaching to the choir for me. I often found myself nodding because ... yes... the things she was saying... I think most Latinos know and understand those things.
Additionally, I felt like the book was not structured very well. This could be because I listened to the audiobook versus having a physical copy of the book but I felt like chapters weren't connected to each other and didn't really get a sense of a centralized theme or point. However, that could have just been me.
All in all, I enjoyed You Sound Like A White Girl and I am glad it exists for everyone to read. I just wished it was better structured and offered perhaps more in terms of action items to address some of the issues she brings up.
On the positive side of things, I feel like You Sound Like A White Girl would be a good read for non-Latinos. She covers a lot of ground in terms of her personal life story and Latino history, politics, culture, and so much more. And she does it in a very accessible sort of way.
On the flip side (aka negative side), as someone who follows Latino politics and has a good understanding of Latino history, culture, etc., most of her points... most of her historical, political, and cultural examples... I already knew about. In some ways, she was preaching to the choir for me. I often found myself nodding because ... yes... the things she was saying... I think most Latinos know and understand those things.
Additionally, I felt like the book was not structured very well. This could be because I listened to the audiobook versus having a physical copy of the book but I felt like chapters weren't connected to each other and didn't really get a sense of a centralized theme or point. However, that could have just been me.
All in all, I enjoyed You Sound Like A White Girl and I am glad it exists for everyone to read. I just wished it was better structured and offered perhaps more in terms of action items to address some of the issues she brings up.
March 25, 2022
YESTERDAY WAS THE PUB DAY !!! HAPPY PUB DAY!!
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Goodreads for this Advanced Reader's Copy. All words are 100% my own.
note: this review is my original review and writing and may not be used, reproduced, or quoted without direction permission and appropriate citation.
In this moving, informative, captivating book about the ways society does immigrate people wrong, Julissa Arce brings us fresh information that opens many doors of ideas for us.
This book was great, it was surprisingly good. My thought before going into this was that it was gonna be a bunch of stories with not much of an end to it. But this had many examples of real-life things with real sources. It didn't go off simply from the author's mind but from actual articles and interviews.
The first half of the book is about every way that society has injustice immigrant people, providing the reader with numerous articles and stories that breaks your heart just reading it. It relives countless occasions Arce has been oppressed for the mere fact of her being of Mexican origin. Looking through society in a political lense, this section is definitely something you should read now as we are living through this broken society in current day times.
In the second half of the book, Arce tries to define the meaning of race and ethnicity, to hypothesize as to why these terrible things happen. She talks about Spanish history and the culture behind it that is engaging to the reader. It's not a history lesson you don't want to sit through; it's the way the world is today, and Arce brings us every single reason as to why this needs to change.
As an immigrant myself, some parts in these hit very close to home. I am not of Mexican origin, but I could relate many moments in this to my life and it hurts knowing that there are millions of other people living in the United States and are going through this every day.
This book is exceptional and I have nothing else to say about it.
All in all: read this.
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Goodreads for this Advanced Reader's Copy. All words are 100% my own.
note: this review is my original review and writing and may not be used, reproduced, or quoted without direction permission and appropriate citation.
In this moving, informative, captivating book about the ways society does immigrate people wrong, Julissa Arce brings us fresh information that opens many doors of ideas for us.
This book was great, it was surprisingly good. My thought before going into this was that it was gonna be a bunch of stories with not much of an end to it. But this had many examples of real-life things with real sources. It didn't go off simply from the author's mind but from actual articles and interviews.
The first half of the book is about every way that society has injustice immigrant people, providing the reader with numerous articles and stories that breaks your heart just reading it. It relives countless occasions Arce has been oppressed for the mere fact of her being of Mexican origin. Looking through society in a political lense, this section is definitely something you should read now as we are living through this broken society in current day times.
In the second half of the book, Arce tries to define the meaning of race and ethnicity, to hypothesize as to why these terrible things happen. She talks about Spanish history and the culture behind it that is engaging to the reader. It's not a history lesson you don't want to sit through; it's the way the world is today, and Arce brings us every single reason as to why this needs to change.
As an immigrant myself, some parts in these hit very close to home. I am not of Mexican origin, but I could relate many moments in this to my life and it hurts knowing that there are millions of other people living in the United States and are going through this every day.
This book is exceptional and I have nothing else to say about it.
All in all: read this.
May 11, 2022
Some sections cut deep. Stories I didn’t know and others I had forgotten. Everyday I am a proud Latina but it’s always nice to be reminded of just why WE should be. However I had some issues on her perception of “white Latinos”. Are they treated different? Absolutely. However I felt as though she was disregarding the feelings that white Latinos carry as well. They may not have the struggle to belong the way others like us do, however they do struggle to fit in. To prove themselves to other Latinos and also question who they are.
April 6, 2022
Repetitive — feels the need to remind us of her job at Goldman Sachs at least once per chapter — and uninspiring. DNF.
July 1, 2024
This was really good and informative, and examined a lot of assumptions and attitudes that surround what makes someone "American" enough.
People like to claim that the US is a "melting pot" but when you stop to really think about that, what does it mean? I always picture cheese. Like fondue. If you put a bunch of cheeses into a pot and melt them down, you get a cheese goop that loses any of the distinct flavors that makes the individual cheeses great on their own. Sometimes that's tasty, but most of the time, I just want to appreciate a good cheddar, or brie, or pepperjack or swiss on its own.
I have been seeing a lot of European commentary on "American culture" lately, from food to housing to grocery stores to taxes, etc, and I kinda have to laugh (or cry) about the assumptions that are made. "American food is so unhealthy!" Cool. What is "American food"? Burgers and fries? Burgers are reportedly from Hamburg, Germany, and french fries from... Wait... I know this one... France. Apple pie? Can't get more American than that, right? Oh dang, England. Pizza? Italy. Hot dogs?? Germany again, sorry. We did invent ALTERATIONS of those foods. Adding cheese, stuffing with cheese, inventing new "cheese" (or Cheez if you prefer), and I think we ARE the original home of the Chinese fortune cookie. Maybe the lobster roll? Cornbread? Or does that count because the people who invented corn bread weren't actually considered "Americans" at the time?
You know what would be really gross? If we took all of those foods and blended them up and chugged them. Mmmm... Assimilation.
I digress. The point is, the things that make cultures different are things to be cherished and honored and maintained as unique to the culture they come from. Sludge is gross. Let's agree to keep all aspects of culture out of one.
This was a really random review that was more about cheese and food (and cheeses that may be food adjacent but not EXACTLY food?) than the book, but I think it's apt. So. If you want to know more about the book, you should just read it. It's quite good.
People like to claim that the US is a "melting pot" but when you stop to really think about that, what does it mean? I always picture cheese. Like fondue. If you put a bunch of cheeses into a pot and melt them down, you get a cheese goop that loses any of the distinct flavors that makes the individual cheeses great on their own. Sometimes that's tasty, but most of the time, I just want to appreciate a good cheddar, or brie, or pepperjack or swiss on its own.
I have been seeing a lot of European commentary on "American culture" lately, from food to housing to grocery stores to taxes, etc, and I kinda have to laugh (or cry) about the assumptions that are made. "American food is so unhealthy!" Cool. What is "American food"? Burgers and fries? Burgers are reportedly from Hamburg, Germany, and french fries from... Wait... I know this one... France. Apple pie? Can't get more American than that, right? Oh dang, England. Pizza? Italy. Hot dogs?? Germany again, sorry. We did invent ALTERATIONS of those foods. Adding cheese, stuffing with cheese, inventing new "cheese" (or Cheez if you prefer), and I think we ARE the original home of the Chinese fortune cookie. Maybe the lobster roll? Cornbread? Or does that count because the people who invented corn bread weren't actually considered "Americans" at the time?
You know what would be really gross? If we took all of those foods and blended them up and chugged them. Mmmm... Assimilation.
I digress. The point is, the things that make cultures different are things to be cherished and honored and maintained as unique to the culture they come from. Sludge is gross. Let's agree to keep all aspects of culture out of one.
This was a really random review that was more about cheese and food (and cheeses that may be food adjacent but not EXACTLY food?) than the book, but I think it's apt. So. If you want to know more about the book, you should just read it. It's quite good.
April 13, 2023
When people want to write about their personal story, their personal experiences… then I’m all in, because I want to hear YOUR truth and learn from it. However, the moment you start deciding how others should be or feel, like “white” Latinos should as you say, “take note” and act, feel, represent in a way that you think they should, then you are part of the problem as well.
At the end of the audiobook, during the interview, you make a reference about your critique of “white” Latinos in that you hope they don’t feel judgement from you. The moment you tell someone to “take note” you judged because you’ve made an assumption.
Your truth should not belittle or take away from someone else’s truth. For me, this was enough to negate the positive messages about acceptance and unity in your book.
At the end of the audiobook, during the interview, you make a reference about your critique of “white” Latinos in that you hope they don’t feel judgement from you. The moment you tell someone to “take note” you judged because you’ve made an assumption.
Your truth should not belittle or take away from someone else’s truth. For me, this was enough to negate the positive messages about acceptance and unity in your book.
August 17, 2023
there was a very specific part of this book that made me immediately stop reading it gave me SUCH an ick. there’s some aspects i liked but there’s even more that just feels really off putting that i can’t ignore. i understand the sentiment behind this bc of the authors own experiences buuut when we put down other immigrants (whether intentional or not) i’m not gonna finish the book 🙃🙃
February 15, 2023
This was suuuuuch a good read ! I learned so much and made notes of books she cites that I now need to read. LOVED it. I read almost everything on my kindle but THIS book? Im going to buy in print so I can make more notes and highlights. 10/10.
*I am barely dipping my toes in Chicano history and such, so this was right at my speed. She explains everything so well.
*I am barely dipping my toes in Chicano history and such, so this was right at my speed. She explains everything so well.
October 8, 2025
*audiobook
November 11, 2022
"You sound like a White Girl: the case for rejecting Assimilation" is an important and impactful read. Julissa Arce shares her experiences as an Immigrant and history of Latinx culture. The writing was good and well researched. One of the best nonfiction books of 2022.
"Assimilation puts the burden of success or failure on us, the immigrant, the person of Color, the Latino."
"Representation is justice. Equality is justice. Intersection is justice. Freedom is justice."
"Assimilation puts the burden of success or failure on us, the immigrant, the person of Color, the Latino."
"Representation is justice. Equality is justice. Intersection is justice. Freedom is justice."
December 7, 2022
The tone of this book was very off putting and actually made me feel bad about being Latina. Arce raised points about being Latinx that I never considered to be a “bad” thing. I felt like I was bracing myself against an imaginary attack the entire time. I’m not entirely sure who the audience is. Is this book written for Latinx readers to affirm their identity? Again, made me feel bad about my identity. Is this book written for white readers? Maybe? Because of the (brief) history lessons? Six weeks later, I’m able to recall my immense discomfort with this book. Look elsewhere for a celebration of Latinx identity.
January 9, 2023
a must read
March 22, 2022
As an ESL teacher working with adult students, I am so thankful a book like this exists. Not only has reading this book educated me on aspects of Latin American culture and history, but also on the realities many of my students face in navigating their sense of identity. For that, I am most thankful this book exists so that I can share it with my students. I hope that my students not only find insight into their own experiences, but also learn that assimilation should never be their driving force for learning English. As this book discusses in detail, assimilation is a myth that provides nothing but unfulfilled promises and an ever-farther goal post.
I want my students to see that learning English should simply be a new way of communicating where they can share who they are and how they feel. I don’t want my students to learn English to feel like if they do they will have magically become respectable people. They have always deserved respect. I want my students to learn English because they like an English song’s sound and want to know the words, or because they want to be bilingual so they can watch a new English-language series they found. There are so many reasons to learn a language beyond shrinking yourself to fit a narrative that people use to justify racism and xenophobia. Most importantly though, I want my students to realize their language and culture are parts of their identity that they should never have to sacrifice to appease other people. You Sound Like a White Girl has shown me that I need to remind my students that their history and identity are theirs to define, share, and celebrate on their own terms and not anyone else’s.
Overall, I believe that the author does an excellent job at highlighting the problems with the mentality behind assimilation and this text has served as an incredible resource for further sources on Latin American history, culture and identity. I cannot wait to introduce this text to my students for them to read on their own, and I already have ideas for a future lesson based around the chapter "The Lie of English". I am incredibly thankful to Flatiron Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this one because it has made its way into my favorites shelf!
I want my students to see that learning English should simply be a new way of communicating where they can share who they are and how they feel. I don’t want my students to learn English to feel like if they do they will have magically become respectable people. They have always deserved respect. I want my students to learn English because they like an English song’s sound and want to know the words, or because they want to be bilingual so they can watch a new English-language series they found. There are so many reasons to learn a language beyond shrinking yourself to fit a narrative that people use to justify racism and xenophobia. Most importantly though, I want my students to realize their language and culture are parts of their identity that they should never have to sacrifice to appease other people. You Sound Like a White Girl has shown me that I need to remind my students that their history and identity are theirs to define, share, and celebrate on their own terms and not anyone else’s.
Overall, I believe that the author does an excellent job at highlighting the problems with the mentality behind assimilation and this text has served as an incredible resource for further sources on Latin American history, culture and identity. I cannot wait to introduce this text to my students for them to read on their own, and I already have ideas for a future lesson based around the chapter "The Lie of English". I am incredibly thankful to Flatiron Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this one because it has made its way into my favorites shelf!
February 1, 2025
Book 6 of 2025 - ☑️! You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation by Julissa Arce has been on my list for a little over a year. Libby was also constantly reminding me that the book was ready, and I finally got around to reading it.
Like most of my favorite non-fiction books, Arce seamlessly weaves history and an educational experience with personal anecdotes and stories from her life and others lives. While I’ve always considered myself a lover of history (thanks, American Girl books!), as a Latina, there was definitely a lack of representation in the textbooks I was reading or classes I was taking until I went to college (shout-out to The University of Texas at Austin American Studies department). Arce’s book certainly introduced me to many stories of Latiné folks and their contributions to American history that have been lost as time has gone on - Latiné history in America IS American history. The book really focuses on people being proud of themselves and who they are, as opposed to always striving for acceptance in a society that they might ultimately (and arguably) never be accepted by.
This was a quick read, which I finished in a few days, and I found the bonus interview (if you’re listening to the audiobook, make sure you listen to the ENTIRE thing) - Paula Ramos was the perfect journalist to have a conversation with Arce.
4/5 ⭐️ - I would absolutely continue to read Arce’s work. #YouSoundLikeAWhiteGirl
Like most of my favorite non-fiction books, Arce seamlessly weaves history and an educational experience with personal anecdotes and stories from her life and others lives. While I’ve always considered myself a lover of history (thanks, American Girl books!), as a Latina, there was definitely a lack of representation in the textbooks I was reading or classes I was taking until I went to college (shout-out to The University of Texas at Austin American Studies department). Arce’s book certainly introduced me to many stories of Latiné folks and their contributions to American history that have been lost as time has gone on - Latiné history in America IS American history. The book really focuses on people being proud of themselves and who they are, as opposed to always striving for acceptance in a society that they might ultimately (and arguably) never be accepted by.
This was a quick read, which I finished in a few days, and I found the bonus interview (if you’re listening to the audiobook, make sure you listen to the ENTIRE thing) - Paula Ramos was the perfect journalist to have a conversation with Arce.
4/5 ⭐️ - I would absolutely continue to read Arce’s work. #YouSoundLikeAWhiteGirl
December 18, 2022
I can't describe how moving this book was..
There was definitely some aspects of the book that were difficult to swallow. Arce does a wonderful job of being able to critique our own cultures fault as well as the oppressor's.
I found it sad to say that when she would state something historical, I would immediately look it up in shock...thinking "there is no way this happened." Sad to say it did. I'm sad I have to read about this in a book that was randomly recommended to me on TikTok rather than the many years I spent sitting in a classroom.
This book had me in tears and clenching my hand in anger.
"That people of color have managed to find a way to thrive despite all of this is a testament to the resilience and power that have been passed down from our ancestors and still flow through our veins."
I have never felt more comfortable and seen than when reading this book.
This was a wonderful and fast paced read.
There was definitely some aspects of the book that were difficult to swallow. Arce does a wonderful job of being able to critique our own cultures fault as well as the oppressor's.
I found it sad to say that when she would state something historical, I would immediately look it up in shock...thinking "there is no way this happened." Sad to say it did. I'm sad I have to read about this in a book that was randomly recommended to me on TikTok rather than the many years I spent sitting in a classroom.
This book had me in tears and clenching my hand in anger.
"That people of color have managed to find a way to thrive despite all of this is a testament to the resilience and power that have been passed down from our ancestors and still flow through our veins."
I have never felt more comfortable and seen than when reading this book.
This was a wonderful and fast paced read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
I received an ARC copy of "You Sound Like a White Girl" by Julissa Arce through Flatiron Books and I could not put the book down!! Finished it in 2 days!! Miss Arce's story is incredible and is a true testament to the struggles that a latino/a faces in being here in the U.S. Being Latina myself, her book really opened my eyes to so many of the struggles that latinos have faced and continue to face, particularly Mexicans, in the U.S. to which honestly I've been very blind about growing up. My experience in the U.S. is very different to that of Miss Arce, however I see a lot of similarities to things my parents experienced with Miss Arce's story. I now understand how perhaps my parents' experience has been in the U.S. - A true eye opener and inspiring story. Highly, highly, recommend!
June 23, 2023
I agree with some of the points in this book. However a bunch of this writing was just super dragged out and super unnecessary. First she went on about how you should embrace your culture, then she says to just portray yourself as someone completely different as long as you know who you are. Like?? Idk I also felt some of this stuff in this book was kind of insensitive and I just rlly didn’t vibe with this.
May 8, 2022
3.5
Solid points about assimilation/ immigration
Could not connect with the tone/voice
Solid points about assimilation/ immigration
Could not connect with the tone/voice
September 26, 2025
I felt the author’s strong will and resilience from her writing as well as her narration. 💪 👑
October 19, 2025
They'll let anyone write a book these days. This entire book as 1 buzzfeed article would've popped off back in the day.
April 6, 2022
“Assimilation, whether linguistic, cultural, aesthetic, or otherwise, always has more steps to complete. As you master one, more appear.”
YOU SOUND LIKE A WHITE GIRL by Julissa Natzely Arce Raya is 100% worth the read. There were many things that I appreciated about this book but mainly how comprehensive it was. Reading about current and historical events can sometimes feel daunting, but the way Raya used her own life experiences to educate and advocate for a strong, united and proud Latino community was honestly, just straight-up inspirational. —
As I was reading YOU SOUND LIKE A WHITE GIRL, I just kept thinking of all of the ways that I consciously and subconsciously have tried assimilating: the way I code switch, in white spaces, the way I did my hair, for many years, how hard I constantly work with little rest, the way I dress, the list can go on. In this country, not being white is absolutely exhausting, in more than one way. This book and many like it are necessary! We must LEARN to break-free from the toxic cycles and fight for ourselves; to be free to be who we are.
Though this book is short, it packed so much! From the lies we are told about not belonging and not being good enough for this country, to embracing our rich history, complexities and truth about who we are as Latinos. It’s a book meant to get us all to start talking, to start confronting our own biases and discriminations against each other but most importantly, to help up start breaking free from the concept of success laying in the eyes of the white gaze.
YOU SOUND LIKE A WHITE GIRL by Julissa Natzely Arce Raya is 100% worth the read. There were many things that I appreciated about this book but mainly how comprehensive it was. Reading about current and historical events can sometimes feel daunting, but the way Raya used her own life experiences to educate and advocate for a strong, united and proud Latino community was honestly, just straight-up inspirational. —
As I was reading YOU SOUND LIKE A WHITE GIRL, I just kept thinking of all of the ways that I consciously and subconsciously have tried assimilating: the way I code switch, in white spaces, the way I did my hair, for many years, how hard I constantly work with little rest, the way I dress, the list can go on. In this country, not being white is absolutely exhausting, in more than one way. This book and many like it are necessary! We must LEARN to break-free from the toxic cycles and fight for ourselves; to be free to be who we are.
Though this book is short, it packed so much! From the lies we are told about not belonging and not being good enough for this country, to embracing our rich history, complexities and truth about who we are as Latinos. It’s a book meant to get us all to start talking, to start confronting our own biases and discriminations against each other but most importantly, to help up start breaking free from the concept of success laying in the eyes of the white gaze.
February 14, 2023
Fantastic book. Infuriating. True.
Arce's journey and stories are incredible and reflect either my life or someone I know. At times it was hard to listen to the stories of violence or how the country I love doesn't love me back the same way, but it is necessary to listen. To keep listening.
HIGHLY, highly recommend this.
Arce's journey and stories are incredible and reflect either my life or someone I know. At times it was hard to listen to the stories of violence or how the country I love doesn't love me back the same way, but it is necessary to listen. To keep listening.
HIGHLY, highly recommend this.
August 6, 2022
I enjoyed this book! As a Chicana, there was so much I learned about the Chicano history that I didn’t learn in my k-12 education. There were moments in the book where I felt seen and heard!
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