So I wonder if it was only just me, but I drew a very interesting parallel in the language chapter between pachuco culture and Gay and Lesbian culture.
We both contain words and phrases that are particular to our own culture, and we as a culture made these words our own in order to create and establish an identity in this white, heteronormative world. I suppose an example could be terms such as "werk," or something to that effect. Granted "werk's" origins might be a little hazy and can't maybe officially be pegged down to a guaranteed starting culture as much as some of the pachuco terms, but hopefully my idea is still at least a little clear.
In short, I drew a very interesting parallel between language of the gay culture and the pachuco culture. This interesting parallel is important to our understanding of at culture and should be looked at at least a little bit, because as Anzaldúa states "Until I take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself."
I caught the parallel with the gay and lesbian community, but I also saw a parallel within the African American Community. I must admit, I kind of took issue with one of her last sentences which read, "When other races have given up their tongue, we've kept ours." While earlier admitting that, "Chicanos and other people of color suffer economically for not acculturating." In black culture there are people who some would say "talk white" who speak properly and those who "talk ghetto" which is filled with slang and a certain accent. Although it's good to keep your culture alive or have some sense of identity, I think it's important to note in the African American community at least alot of black people who speak improperly simply don't have a better way of communicating. I think this severely hinders the ability of many to improve their way of life.
I agree with Mike completely about the racial parallels. In the first two chapters, I figured that I'd be able to relate to the story as a person of minority. While I haven't experienced the racial discrimination and strife that she has, I also recognized that "the minority" is part of who I am. The same sentence that Mike pointed out, resonated in me as well ""When other races have given up their tongue, we've kept ours." I felt this to be a direct "We're more cultured than you" approach in comparison to the black culture. When one hears minorities they often think only of black and Hispanic although there are countless others. With that being said, I feel that Anzaldúa didn't really step back and remember the two very different means of assimilation into American culture for these two races. The Mexicans had their land stolen from them, yes. They still remained together and were allowed a sense of pride in their cultures. The African Americans were brought over by means of being sold and exported, which didn't allow for much confidence and stronghold to "keep their tongue".
Words seem to have immense value to people. The whole idea of a people carrying an unofficial language, as Daniel pointed out, is really interesting. I think it's definitely worth mentioning the language of Polari, popularized in 1960's England among members of the queer community. Words like 'bona,' meaning good and 'blue' meaning homosexual, provided a way for culture to flourish within a community without risking persecution. Tex Mex Spanglish and Chicano Spanish play a similar role for Anzaldua, who is afraid of being labelled a 'pocho,' or a "cultural traitor" (55). I also found Anzaldua's argument interesting that the 'masculine' language of spanish has an deleterious effect on women, who are "robbed" of their "female being" (54). When first learning spanish in middle school I remember thinking of how peculiar it was that words could be male or female, as well as that groups of both genders are referred to as male. This proves that the patriarchal society is nothing new, and people like Anzaldua feel the effects of oppression daily.
"We come from all colors, all classes, all races, all time periods. Our role is to link people with each other--"
This cannot be more true. Anzaldua delves into the deeper root of the problem by including other minority groups in the text. She mentions the vast variety of queer peoples, some of which included Black, Asian, and Native American. I also thought it was very profound that she included men--despite her passionate feminist views--by admitting that they are enchained by common societal-generated gender expectations and deserve a progressive movement for themselves as well. Something that I wasn't expecting, though find extremely crucial to any movement, is the push to include the majority group--in this case, the Anglo population. Just like the fight for LGBT rights, allies are a pivotal pillar in the overall structure of any movement. I think it's very admirable that she understands that in order to overthrow the majority's oppression, one must open their army with people "from the inside."
Before we can even begin to understand how to ensure rights for ourselves, we have to put aside our differences and join forces. Nothing will ever get done if the people fighting for the SAME rights are busy fighting with EACH OTHER. Strength in numbers, people.
The oppression of language described in "How to Tame A Wild Tongue" calls to mind other types of oppression sewn into the fabric of American history and makes me wonder exactly where to motivation lies for the oppressors. When Anzaldua wrote about being punished for speaking Spanish, I got an image in my head of my grandfather as a child, who had his left hand tied to a chair by a priest so he would get accustomed to writing with his right. There was no room for users of "the devil's hand" in his congregation. Like the above comments and the parallels to gay oppression and identity crisis, this was another way that a part of someone (even though much less significant) was smothered for the sake of others' beliefs. And to this day, my grandfather writes with his right hand; he felt the need to deny what is natural and correct for himself in the interest of appeasing others. Not being true to yourself can come frighteningly easily if you have enough practice.
So I wonder if it was only just me, but I drew a very interesting parallel in the language chapter between pachuco culture and Gay and Lesbian culture.
ReplyDeleteWe both contain words and phrases that are particular to our own culture, and we as a culture made these words our own in order to create and establish an identity in this white, heteronormative world. I suppose an example could be terms such as "werk," or something to that effect. Granted "werk's" origins might be a little hazy and can't maybe officially be pegged down to a guaranteed starting culture as much as some of the pachuco terms, but hopefully my idea is still at least a little clear.
In short, I drew a very interesting parallel between language of the gay culture and the pachuco culture. This interesting parallel is important to our understanding of at culture and should be looked at at least a little bit, because as Anzaldúa states "Until I take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI caught the parallel with the gay and lesbian community, but I also saw a parallel within the African American Community. I must admit, I kind of took issue with one of her last sentences which read, "When other races have given up their tongue, we've kept ours." While earlier admitting that, "Chicanos and other people of color suffer economically for not acculturating." In black culture there are people who some would say "talk white" who speak properly and those who "talk ghetto" which is filled with slang and a certain accent. Although it's good to keep your culture alive or have some sense of identity, I think it's important to note in the African American community at least alot of black people who speak improperly simply don't have a better way of communicating. I think this severely hinders the ability of many to improve their way of life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike completely about the racial parallels. In the first two chapters, I figured that I'd be able to relate to the story as a person of minority. While I haven't experienced the racial discrimination and strife that she has, I also recognized that "the minority" is part of who I am. The same sentence that Mike pointed out, resonated in me as well ""When other races have given up their tongue, we've kept ours." I felt this to be a direct "We're more cultured than you" approach in comparison to the black culture. When one hears minorities they often think only of black and Hispanic although there are countless others. With that being said, I feel that Anzaldúa didn't really step back and remember the two very different means of assimilation into American culture for these two races. The Mexicans had their land stolen from them, yes. They still remained together and were allowed a sense of pride in their cultures. The African Americans were brought over by means of being sold and exported, which didn't allow for much confidence and stronghold to "keep their tongue".
ReplyDeleteWords seem to have immense value to people. The whole idea of a people carrying an unofficial language, as Daniel pointed out, is really interesting. I think it's definitely worth mentioning the language of Polari, popularized in 1960's England among members of the queer community. Words like 'bona,' meaning good and 'blue' meaning homosexual, provided a way for culture to flourish within a community without risking persecution. Tex Mex Spanglish and Chicano Spanish play a similar role for Anzaldua, who is afraid of being labelled a 'pocho,' or a "cultural traitor" (55).
ReplyDeleteI also found Anzaldua's argument interesting that the 'masculine' language of spanish has an deleterious effect on women, who are "robbed" of their "female being" (54). When first learning spanish in middle school I remember thinking of how peculiar it was that words could be male or female, as well as that groups of both genders are referred to as male. This proves that the patriarchal society is nothing new, and people like Anzaldua feel the effects of oppression daily.
"We come from all colors, all classes, all races, all time periods. Our role is to link people with each other--"
ReplyDeleteThis cannot be more true. Anzaldua delves into the deeper root of the problem by including other minority groups in the text. She mentions the vast variety of queer peoples, some of which included Black, Asian, and Native American. I also thought it was very profound that she included men--despite her passionate feminist views--by admitting that they are enchained by common societal-generated gender expectations and deserve a progressive movement for themselves as well. Something that I wasn't expecting, though find extremely crucial to any movement, is the push to include the majority group--in this case, the Anglo population. Just like the fight for LGBT rights, allies are a pivotal pillar in the overall structure of any movement. I think it's very admirable that she understands that in order to overthrow the majority's oppression, one must open their army with people "from the inside."
Before we can even begin to understand how to ensure rights for ourselves, we have to put aside our differences and join forces. Nothing will ever get done if the people fighting for the SAME rights are busy fighting with EACH OTHER. Strength in numbers, people.
The oppression of language described in "How to Tame A Wild Tongue" calls to mind other types of oppression sewn into the fabric of American history and makes me wonder exactly where to motivation lies for the oppressors. When Anzaldua wrote about being punished for speaking Spanish, I got an image in my head of my grandfather as a child, who had his left hand tied to a chair by a priest so he would get accustomed to writing with his right. There was no room for users of "the devil's hand" in his congregation. Like the above comments and the parallels to gay oppression and identity crisis, this was another way that a part of someone (even though much less significant) was smothered for the sake of others' beliefs. And to this day, my grandfather writes with his right hand; he felt the need to deny what is natural and correct for himself in the interest of appeasing others. Not being true to yourself can come frighteningly easily if you have enough practice.
ReplyDelete