As I read the short story "How to Tame a Wild Tongue," by Goria Anzaldua I came across some difficult sections. For instance, " Chicanos and other people of color suffer economically for not acculturating. This voluntary ( yet force) alienation makes for psychological conflict, a kind of dual identity- we don't identify with the Anglo-American cultural values and we don't totally identify with the Anglo-American... (112)." I read and re read this part and I did not understand it at first. I took a sentence word by word, and then looked up words in the dictionary. That helped me a lot. While looking up the words I realized that I had seen certain words before. I took Mr.Covarrubias class last summer, and covered Chicano culture. We also discussed how they believed in duality and the acculturation and alienation. I still had my books and read a little bit about duality. I also have my portfolio from that class, and I read it to refresh my memory to understand what Anzaldua was trying to. Reading this story was interesting, but a little bit difficult as well. As I read it, I had flash backs about some of the things I have faced in life.
Although I am Salvadorian, I was able to identify myself with Gloria Anzaldua even though she is Mexican. Yes we are both consider Hispanics, but totally different. Our cultural backgrounds and beliefs are different in many ways. However, it was easy for me to read and understand the Spanish sentences, slang words and sayings. A saying that caught my attention that my mom says is, "En boca cerrada no etran moscas" (103). So true! In a closed mouth no flies can go in. In other words don't be a gossiper and mind your own business, or it can get you in trouble.
Great work here! I'm glad to see that you are reading "actively" and also making connections with your previous coursework. Yes, this "duality" is so interesting. How does one determine who they are when they are faced with conflicting cultures? All of these forces shape our identity and I think it is very important to consider where our beliefs come from and how they help to make sense of the world, but also to realize that there are so many different points of view to consider. I love that your mother has used this expression before! I think there is so much truth to your interpretation of this statement.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you've identified yourself as compared to the story. I think you did an awesome job.
ReplyDeleteHi blue eyes,
ReplyDeleteYou say you had flash backs, well than explain the flash back: what was the flash, where, and why. Have a great weekend....