Graphic Novel Reflection

To recap, I wrote a graphic novel based off of the argument of the "lunch box" moment ethnic children face when they bring cultural dishes for lunch. i interviewed my friend Alba. She was a part of the first 2 week session and taking international relations course and is originally from Mexico. I felt she was perfect to show the assignment from because she isn't in the class and of ethnic origin. Alba shared with me that in  American/western settings, they arent used to the diversity of food and so they make comments based on their unfamiliarity. Throughout our discussion we bonded together on our experiences as children who had their own experiences in school bringing lunch. She also mention that she was always the odd one out for being the only one without mac and cheese and other  American lunch items. Although this never made her reject her culture or its food it did make her feel excluded. She seemed to know stright away what was happening without any context. Her first question was “is this is about us bringing lunch to school." The way she interpreted the comic was that there was a boy picking on another not because of some sort of lack of understanding. She pointed out that the people in the comic was between two children, the one making comments may not have been taught that was inappropriate or may have been taught that making comments about ethnic food is alright. She also made it clear that regardless its not ok to do so. Overall she said that the theme of the graphic novel is an accurate depiction of what she has experienced, she expressed that even before she was given context she would’ve gotten the idea of the graphic right away but only because of her perspective and first hand experience.