Extra Readings

The following readings look at America from many perspectives. These materials are reprinted in order to help you prepare your discussion materials. They do not necessarily represent the views of the writers of this guide.

Your group may want to make these readings optional, or you may choose to integrate these readings more formally into your discussions. Whatever you decide, be sure to let participants know these supplemental readings are available.

1. "American Stories," an essay written for this guide by Rosemary Bray.

2. "Valuing the Difference: Diversity as an Asset," selections from a speech given by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Henry Cisneros, to the National Civic League meeting in November, 1992.

3. "America's Immigration Story: Still the Melting Pot," an article by Everett Carll Ladd for the Christian Science Monitor, August 4, 1995.

4. "Sample Citizenship Questions ," a list of 100 questions that are examples of questions that might appear on the official test for U.S. citizenship. The answers are listed too. These items come from the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

5. The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.

6. Excerpts from The Constitution of the United States of America: The Preamble; the Bill of Rights; and other selected amendments.

7. This set of readings represents some American beliefs about equality, selected from the "National Conversation Kit,": by the National Endowment of the Humanities.]
   • Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysbury Address. November 19, 1863.
   • Robert Yellowtail, Address before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. September 9, 1919.
   • Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream. August 20, 1963.
   • Plan de Delano, Proclamation Issued by La Causa when the National Farm Workers' Association voted to join the Filipino grape pickers' strike. 1965.