When the class first began this semester, I must say that I knew nothing about Latino/Mexican literature. I was a virgin to the subject and the stories we have been reading has really given me experience in the language and the context in which the Latino writers are writing. The story lines and plots of the books we have been reading really gives me a sense of the Latino culture and some of the events and struggles in their lives mirror my own struggles as well.
Ann asks the question, Why study Mexican American/Latino literature? The answers seem quite easy, but the realities make those answers difficult because of the convictions we feel when recollecting thoughts about it. Mexican American/ Latino cultures have had a rough beginning, since the Voyages of Columbus from 1492-1504. Especially after the Spanish Conquest in Mexico and the indigenous people became part of the Encomienda system, Mexico became a place of hardships and struggles. The mixing of cultures, languages and races became a problem(Spanish became primary language to smooth things out). A racial and cultural hierarchy established itself, Spaniards, Criollos, Mestizos, Indians and Blacks. Anzaldua talks about the differences in languages and the complexity of the origins in Borderlands. The taming of the wild tongue was intriguing because it shows how cultural hierarchies are in place (Spanish/English) hierarchy. She talks about her experience in school as kids would make fun of her because of the way she spoke.
The study of Literature in Mexican American/Latino cultures contrasts the ways in which journalism would portray. Journalism is often exaggerated and sometimes not factual. Whereas, literature would give facts, dates, real life experiences and struggles. Journalism is mainly in the male perspectives, whereas, we have been reading literature in both male and female perspectives. The Latino and Mexican communities are given legitimacy in the novels and poems we have been reading. We get a sense of what the cultures are, in the writings and the experiences of the authors. Most of the readings give reference to the "border". This is very important in Latino/Mexican American literature because of the lives lost trying to cross the border, the splitting of families because of the border, struggling to find an identity because of the border, and so on.
It is very important that Mexican American/Latino literature is captivated in our lives and that we have some empathy toward the hardships they face. Being a minority myself, I can totally relate to the struggles, I understand what finding an identity is about. The question is, how can we make it more understandable to others outside of our studies. What can we do to make it clear that Latino and Mexican voices are the same as ours? These are questions that I leave you all with....
I was intrigued by your final question- "What can we do to make it clear that Latino and Mexican voices are the same as ours?" What does it mean to recognize these voices as the "same as ours?" For me, an important part of reading this literature is that it is different and through that we can gain cultural awareness and sensitivity. On the other hand, I also love the way that I see my own experiences and stories reflected in texts and writers who have heritages so different than mine. I really appreciate Emily Style's view of windows and mirrors because it emphasizes just that- looking through windows to see the realities of others and into mirrors in order to see our own reality reflected. It is great to read about ways you also have found mirrors within the literature we have been reading. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to think about how the past events of a culture has such a big impact on the literature produced in the future. Latino authors write about themes of finding self-identity and crossing borders, which have been experienced by many Latinos in the displacement this group has faced throughout history.
ReplyDeleteBefore taking this class, I knew that the issues at the border were a problem for both the United States and Mexico, but never read books such as "The Devil's Highway" that put me in the shoes of people who went through these situations. Reading literal accounts instead of journal perspectives gave me a much more personal image of what issues are central to the lives of a Latinos. For this reason, I also agree that studying the literature of a group of people helps others to connect more easily.
You do a good job of setting up a framework that shows how the history and theory (Anzaldua)of language and society in Latin America carries through to Latino literature. The literature helps readers from many backgrounds connect with the Latino experience because it shows the common humanity of the characters. I'm not sure what you mean by journalism being more from the male perspective and being distorted. Do you mean that the objective style of journalism seems male to you, or that reporters who deal in facts often distort those facts? I think it's true that journalism often only gives us one perspective and that it doesn't take us deeper into the human experience as good imaginative writing can do.
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