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- Reading responses are due by 8pm on the day PRIOR to our discussion of the required reading.
The chapter 4 “Complexion” is very interesting because they discuss of a new way on how “gringos” criticize the Mexicans depending on their skin color. It is sad to realize that even the complexion can affect a person depending where they grew up and if they knew your family background. As mentioned in the text, “I am the only one in the family whose face is severely cut to the line of ancient Indian ancestors. My face is mournfully long, in the classical Indian manner; my profile suggests one of those beak-nosed Mayan sculptures-the eaglelike face upturned, opened-mouthed, against the deserted, primitive sky.” This quote shows that according to the book the complexion is fundamental when it comes to being Mexican and living in the United States. Having a specific skin color was important in order to not be bullied or be seen as weird. As compared to the other people discussed in the book, they had a different skin color which was somewhat similar to the Whites which made them be far away from the critics. However, it is always important to never forget our roots and culture and be proud to show it to everyone. Nowadays, many people are constantly criticized by their skin color and this is something that is affecting many people in general. As sometimes mentioned by many own Mexicans in regards to identifying other people, “Tiene el nopal en la frente.” This is just one of many ways that even Mexicans use these “descriptions” to identify people from Mexico and other places. This is something that has been getting worse as time passes and it is something to really take into consideration when referring to someone. I have witnessed how whites call, us the Mexicans, wetbacks and it is very sad to hear these things because they are the people you sometimes have to spend most of the time with, either for work, school, or other daily activities. (324)
ReplyDeleteBruno Morales
“How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Anzaldúa made me realize that we are lucky to live in a border area where two cultures meet. We are lucky to be bilingual and interchange dialects with ease, this is something we should be proud of. When she mentioned that her mom used to scorn her for speaking English with an accent, I felt as if that was an insecurity of inferiority her mother had. Despite her mother and society trying to adapt her to the American lifestyle, I like how Anzaldúa stays true to herself and her heritage when she says “Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself.” As if trying to say, its ok to be yourself, that’s what makes someone different, why try to fit into a social norm, in which you will just end up standing out. There was a similarity between “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” and “Complexion” as If accent and skin tone could be interchangeable between these stories. I found it interesting how making someone feel inferior is very common in our culture, we just criticize based on one’s appearance or actions. Makes me wonder if Anglo’s are also caught up on who has what skin tone within their families. That is something that should change in our culture, we should just accept who we are, what we are. Doing so we can achieve greater accomplishments, instead of being caught up on ridiculous insecurities imposed on us by our own people that hold us back. (258)
ReplyDelete-Víctor D. Gaytán
As a result of racism and discrimination there’s a lot of children that grow up and see their complexion as a problem. For example, Rodriguez says that his sister suffered from getting a boyfriend because they considered her like a ‘nigger’. It was really interesting and sad to learn that not only his sister, but everyone felt happy when their children were light skin. Children that were not light skin were victim of racial abuse. I remember when my dad would tell me to put on sunblock or to not be too much in the sun because if not I was going to get ‘negrita. I grew up with that mentality and being really concerned of me getting dark. I learn to have an open mind and accept who I am and to be careful in making these stereotype remarks. Another stereotypical remark that is still being use today is: ‘If you have dark skin, you’re a farmworker.’ Farmworkers can be anyone and everyone more specifically immigrants. People should just think before they speak or think. My mom would always tell me, “si hasta hay gueros que son vagabundos y negros que son ricos.” Overall, accept and admire your complexion because, that doesn’t make you who you think you should be; it’s you who decides.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Nicole Cantu
After reading chapter 5 of Anzaldúa’s “Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza” and “Complexion” by Richard Rodriguez, I became more aware of the struggles that may come as being an individual of Mexican descent, a Chicano and Mexican American. Through Anzaldúa, I was given insight into the pressures of having to eliminate the Spanish tongue in an American land. However, for the sake of not losing a sense of identity, those pressures have caused for a people to adapt and inherit a new language which comprises both Spanish and English. Before reading the chapter, I did not regard the dialect used in the Valley such as “Spanglish,” “Tex-Mex,” and its related forms as a legitimate language. I now understand that it has certainly become a native tongue for Mexican Americans in the region, and it is the truthfulness they cling to as their own. It is a way people identify themselves with, for as Anzaldúa expressed, “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity…” (81). Furthermore, Rodriguez wonderfully shed light on the conflict between distinguishing “los pobres” from the socially accepted in the country. I appreciated his vulnerability as he reminisced and reflected upon his troubles growing into the man he is now. He expressed that he, having been placed under the flames of insecurities by his family and those outside, experienced personal refinement to reach the realization he holds today. He found that the “poor working men” he was continuously shown to avoid and look down at pitifully were strong, determined, and ambitious beings who fully embraced their individuality. Rodriguez, in his construction job that summer, learned that it certainly was honorable and pleasing to work vigorously throughout the day though the night entailed soreness and an aching body. This is so because it makes the worker realize that he is indeed alive and responsive to the sensations of a beating heart. “Los pobres” are not the working-class people in the hot fields nor the “dark” who are scorned at, but rather, these “poor people” are those who do not accept themselves as the worthy and prized beings they truly are. Overall, I was further encouraged to identify with the young woman I am. Yes, I am a Mexican American, and it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCeline Brianna Salas
Anzaldua’s Chapter 5 was very interesting and highly important. In this chapter, Anzaldua recalls being punished for speaking Spanish in school. I’ve always known this as a serious problem and it bothers me to know that we are being made fun of because of our culture. It’s crazy to know that Anzaldua’s mother was even upset that she spoke English like a Mexican. According to Anzaldua, the Spanish language has a way of putting women down. Anzaldua was a border woman, like other people in this area did not identify with any of the languages spoken by the majority of people around her, and had to create their own language by combining several languages and dialects. I also enjoyed reading “Complexion” by Richard Rodriguez. It talked about the new way on how gringos criticize the Mexicans for their skin color. Complexion is a major thing and it can even affect a person deeply. This was very significant because I’ve had family members be discriminated by their culture or skin color. I see it as, this is who we are and how we were brought up into this world and no matter what we’re always going to stand by it 100%. We all might be a little dark and we all speak Spanish but that shouldn’t determine who we actually are. A lot of individuals assume based on our race and we will never know when it will finally come to an end.
ReplyDeleteMichael Garcia
A common theme between this week’s readings was internalized hate in Chicanx communities. Rodriguez’s Complexion dove into the struggles of colorism running rampant through our community. He writes from his point of view as a darker skinned Mexican growing up in a culture that values paleness over melanin. I am brown-skinned but used to be even darker as a kid and I, too, grew up with the colorist dialogue perpetuated by older family members; I could relate to the section in which he discusses hearing his aunts speak of “pleasure at having light skinned children” (116) I remember growing and listening to conversations between family members, discussing how my cousin just gave birth to the cutest, pale skinned and light colored eyed baby and how amazing that was. The author takes us through the journey of engrained self-hate and becoming socially aware of how people with darker skin are treated as well as the type of occupations they are in. I enjoyed that towards the end he realizes his disadvantages as well as his privileges as an educated Mexican-American. Gloria Anzaldua discusses a similar theme in which she acknowledges the oppression of our language as Mexican-Americans. She discusses how our community looks down upon “informal” and “incorrect” Spanish when in reality it is a natural occurrence for a language to evolve within a group of people living in different environments. With us, Chicano/as, we live in a space in which both languages are used, having English enforced and Spanish oppressed, therefore we communicate through our evolved version of a Spanish we learned through tongue not books. I like how she mentions her first encounters with Tex-Mex literature and the empowerment and joy that it brought. For me, this is the first book I’ve ever read in which it is written in a dialogue I can relate to and understand, therefore I understand what she means and the importance it brings to our people to have multiple mediums that reflect our unique culture as Chicanos.
ReplyDeleteAndrea Juarez
Before reading chapter 5 of Anzaldúa’s “Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza” I already knew her struggles with her family and how they always considered her a rebel because she had different ideas or lazy because she did not want to do what regular women at that time were expected to do. I compared myself to her in that manner because i felt as if i went through the same things that she went through. So basically, she was punished for not being a traditional Mexican woman adn following the traditional Mexican ways. However, after reading chapter 5, the book mentions that she gets punished for talking in Spanish. So at home, she gets told stuff for not being Mexican enough, but then at school she is told that she can't be talking in Spanish? Its just absurd and I honestly get so frustrated because I've gone through the same thing when i was in elementary school. I would get made fun of and get called "beaner" for speaking the only language i knew at that time. And in "Complexion" he talks about being jealous of his fathers skin and how he never burned and how one sister skin was white, the other was dark but had nice face, and he had that Indian cut face. In other words, he was just upset about being in his skin and how they suffered growing up and being called names. The bottom line is that even though in our history our language and our skin color was considered a burden and was looked at in a negative manner, in the long run, it has made us who we are, and we are strong and proud to be Mexican Americans.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Lopez
In chapter 4 things don’t change much it discusses how gringos would make fun of Mexicans and would criticize them just base on how they look or their skin color. And they would see them as something low and make fun of them just because they had a different color of skin tone. But in my opinion people shouldn’t judge base on looks or physical because everybody is different. I say this by experience because when I was small they would make fun of me since I couldn’t speak English and I was a U.S citizen they would them why are you Spanish don’t you know your in America, and if you don’t like it then go back to your Mexico place. They would judge me without even knowing me but thank god that helped me to be a better person and for me not to judge others by their form of speaking or looks. Because at the end their all persons with feelings. Am looking forward to keeping learning about these chapter on the presentation.
ReplyDelete^^^
ReplyDeletemaria leal
Gloria Anzaldua continues to lead me to introspect my own fears and thoughts giving me a new perspective and pride on my culture and the parts of me that make it, like my tongue.
ReplyDeleteIt appears to me that this chapter in full of symbolism (The fact that the chapter takes place in a dentist clinic can’t be a coincidence, right?) and revelations of how Mexican American feel about their language. I’m sure that many of us have felt shame, insecurity, or inferiority at one point of our lives because of our Spanish language or Mexican accent. It’s because of this, that this chapter touched me in a way I had not been touched, especially when Anzaldua comments how the worst way to hurt us, if by laughing at how we speak. (let me tell you all one of the many stories: When I was a Junior in high school, I was nominated to be the NHS president. A classmate, disappointed for not getting the position I’ve earned with the values that were taught to me in Spanish, complained to the organization’s sponsor by saying that I “couldn’t even speak English”.
I have been hurt, but Anzaldua inspires many of us with this bad memory, to take pride on our language because if we ourselves do not take pride in it, we cannot expect other to do it.
Ingrid Davila
In chapter 5 of “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua I found out several interesting stuff like the variety of names given by Anzaldua to the different kind of accent for example “standard Spanish, standard Mexican Spanish, north Mexican Spanish dialect, Chicano Spanish, Tex-Mex, and Pachuco” to her this languages made her feel comfortable made her feel like home. Something that I really felt identified was when Anzaldúa was saying that she would get set to the corner for trying to tell the teacher who to pronounce her name. During my elementary years I would get tease by my own fourth grade teacher, she would tell me things in English, she knew that I didn’t understand, but she would just tell me so that everybody could laugh at me. I wasn’t comfortable with the language just like Anzaldua because I didn’t understand it and the few words I knew would become up with a huge accent. In the reading “Richard Rodriguez, Complexion” there was a text were he says that “Dark skin was for my mother the most important symbol of a life of oppressive labor and poverty” and I really believe so. That black people are the one that has suffer the most through- out the years.
ReplyDelete-Mayra Saldaña
Reading chapter 5 from Gloria Anzalduaade me think of how greatful I am to be able to speak my main language without people telling me it’s not right. Not to long from here kids would get severely punished if they spoke spanish, which I found a really racist and cruel thing to do. Now, kids are actually encouraged to speak Spanish as well as English, which it is a big turn in history. It is perfectly fine to be bilingual and each one will learn in their own pace, so people should not judge. The other text titled “complexion,” at the beginning it was kind of upsetting for me to read how people judge on how people look and the steorotyping that exists among our society. This text made me realize that people should not be judged by their skin color. The family that was mentioned lived with the idea that they had to take care of not being out to much, because they would look darker and it was not accepted in society. Sometimes having a dark complexion represents hard work. I believe this because in a way I have lived this. For example, coming from a family with a migrant background I know what is like to see my parents to look darker in the summer. Now I am happy to live in a society where it is mostly accepted to be who you are. Both of these texts make me realice how lucky I am to be in a society where it is okay to be bilingual, as well as it is okay for not having light skin.
ReplyDeleteGuadalupe Cazares
In “How to Tame a Wild tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, talks about how Anzaldua would get punish for talking Spanish in school. I believe no one should punish other people for not talking or understanding their language, I think that knowing several languages is beneficial for a person’s job. No children should be told that talking another language is wrong! The fact that Anzaldua had to take classes that would take her accent away. Having accent it totally normal, everybody has a different type of accent because the truth is that there’s no right accent. Having accent shouldn’t embarrass anyone, they should feel proud that they know that language. I know that not knowing the language makes it hard but that doesn’t mean that they can’t learn it. In the reading “complexion” by Richard Rodrigues talks about how different cultures face similar problems like gringos discriminate the black people that’s a similar problem because they would discriminate them as well. Also how uniting each other have gotten them to stand together and create a bigger “wave” for their right and privileges. Creating a bigger groups to fight for what they believe and want it’s always a better idea than doing it alone.
ReplyDeleteAshley Escalante
In Anzaldua’s chapter 5 it revolves much around language and the different concepts of it. For example she uses a lot of Tex-Mex which is extremely common in the valley being since majority of us are made up of Mexican American. Tex-Mex is commonly used because I believe it’s a bit easier to explain something with use both languages because you may not know how to explain something in English but you do in Spanish so that’s where Tex-Mex comes into play. Another thing Anzaldua mentions in this chapter is how she would get in trouble with her teachers because she would talk in her native language (Spanish) and how she would not only get sent to the corner but she would also be physically attacked for just trying to explain how to pronounce her name to the Anglo teachers. I quote “If you want to be American, speak ‘American’ if you don’t like it, go back to Mexico where you belong. As I was reading this I was getting flashbacks from my elementary years and how I had a teacher in second grade who would have a very similar mentality and word choice as the teacher mentioned in this chapter. It is so sad that a child at this young age is being bullied by their own teacher, the one who is supposed to courage and teach them to become better in life not knock them down. Overall this chapter is very eye opening.
ReplyDeleteBrandi Rae Rodriguez
These chapters are so capitavating and relatable for different reasons. For anzaldua is chapter five, her disscussion on language and the utilization of "Tex-Mex" hit home for me, and for most valleites I assume. She was told about "dirty Spanish" from the Mexicans yet she was also told her language was not valid with Americans either, since it "was america, where we speak English". It is somewhat disgusting how much Tex Mex is picked on and dissected by English classes, and grammar as a whole. I actually went to a linguistics seminar that said "faith in grammar led to racism" which seems extreme, yet actually upholds and makes a lot of sense. You see, people are demonized for speaking "broken English" and "not talking correctly" because their language does not fit under proper English grammar. Which is frustrating for a lot of reasons, reason number one being that no one is stupid because they don't speak proper English. Someone with great grammar can be dumb if not dumber than someone who talks in slang, or has an accent. It is a for I feel assimilation to want everyone to speak proper English. And English is not even the official language of the United States, so it is stupid for someone to tell you to speak English or go back to Mexico. It is also harsh for Mexicans I say you don't talk right bc you say one thing or another with a tejano accent. That is why the chapters were so relatable.
ReplyDeleteMichael gonzalez
After reading Anzaldua chapter five “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”. I was surprised of the many different types of accents, in how each has a unique way of pronouncing words. For example Anzualdua mentioned how Tex-Mex has a unique way of pronouncing the word cook by been pronounced cookiar. I find it surprising because it is something I wasn’t aware of. Also something caught my attention in the beginning of the chapter, Anzaldua got punish for talking in Spanish her teacher reaction was “if you want to be American speak, ‘American’ “. (Anzaldua 75). This remind on something that I heard on the radio a few days back, a student from New Jersey Cliffside Park High School was kick out from the class for speaking Spanish her teacher reaction was almost the same from Anzaldua chapter five the teacher told the student to speak ‘American’. Is frustrating to realized that there teachers that are racist they don’t like to have Hispanics speak their native language. We shouldn’t be afraid of speaking our native language we should be proud of our country and culture. It doesn’t matter if they judge us, either they like or not we have the right to be bilingual.
ReplyDeleteFabian Perez
In chapter 5 of Gloria Anzaldua, she highlights about how the Chicano Spanish came to be understood, the different levels of languages and her personal experiences. I strongly feel that speaking Spanish in place where we are supposed to be "Americans" is a win. For the reason that not many people know two languages and have experience can help them in the future and be opened to more opportunities just for knowing two languages. Either way, people shouldn't be told what to speak and shouldn't be bullied because of it. We are in a land of the free. However, being Chicano shouldn't be something that we should hide but be proud of. Our culture should be spread as much as the other cultures are spread and because one person says "You can't speak that here" should give the person more motivation to be proud of where they came. I related so much when she talked about how we spoke because it's so real like we do speak like that and it's without even thought. I will sometimes say "Toy aqui" instead of "Estoy aqui" and we don't catch ourselves for the reason that we've already had the habit of speaking like that. As well as, speaking Tex-Mex. I feel like Tex-Mex came about when speaking Spanish wasn't, I guess you can say allowed because of I'm sure they didn't know how explain a certain thing so they would explain it in Spanish and continue speaking English. In fact, I love how things have changed now. How speaking Spanish is being taught in h8igh schools, middle schools and all because we need to spread more of our culture and students need to know where our culture came from.
ReplyDelete-Yarazeth Ramirez
Reading Chapter 5 of Anzaldua’s Borderlands/La Frontera and Complexion by Richard Rodriguez made me realize how cruel our society has been towards people of color and also those who speak english in a “different way” or with an accent. For decades we have seen our grandmothers, aunts, and mothers expressed themselves like Richard Rodriguez states, “mi negrito, mi feito, mi gordito, mi flaquito”. We have learned to accept this “compliments or expressions of love” as normal, without even realizing how those words impact the recipient’s esteem. When it comes to the language issues, we as Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have always been criticized for the way our english “sounds”. I personally have experienced the pain of having an accent, for not speaking perfect english. In my opinion, what people who usually criticize us, don’t realize how challenging has been for us to learn a second language, something not everyone is willing to do because they are fearful of critics.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful we have come a long way, we can rest assured that future generations will not suffer the way we did in our childhood, or even worse, the way our ancestors did decades ago. We now have the freedom to express our culture in many ways, may it be in our accent, the color of our skin, they way we dress and most importantly, the way we keep our families united celebrating our culture.
Rossy Tapia Cervantes
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs I read chapter 5 of Anzaldua and "Conplexion" by Rodriguez, I concluded that they both spoke upon the stereotypes Mexicans faced in the United States. In chapter 5, Anzaldua talks about how the Mexican language was not tamed from their tongues but rather cut. As a young Chicana, a teacher once told her "if you want to be American, speak American, and if you don't like it to go back to Mexico where she belonged." This made me feel infuriated because even though she tried to speak English without an accent, she was put down for the way she spoke it by a teacher, who in my perspective, should encourage kids to perform to the best of their abilities, not discourage them. Although attacks on one's form of expression with the intent to censor was a violation of the first amendment, the Anglo culture practically tried to assimilate our language into theirs indirectly by it becoming a necessity to speak in order to maintain a good standing in the United States. In "Complexion," Rodriguez informs us about the discrimination the Mexican community faced according to their appearance and skin tone color. It affected our culture so deep psychologically that they began to see themselves uglier the darker their skin tone color was. However, I believe regardless of our skin color and language efficiency that we should not feel belittled or inferior to anyone around us. We are all unique in our own way and have our personal flaws we have to deal with. Despite being imperfect, we should take pride in who we are and where we come from because if we don't, no one else will. (275)
ReplyDeleteAdrian Martinez
As I read chapter 5 of Anzaldua and "Complexion" by Rodriguez, I concluded that they both spoke upon the stereotypes Mexicans faced in the United States. In chapter 5, Anzaldua talks about how the Mexican language was not tamed from their tongues but rather cut. As a young Chicana, a teacher once told her "if you want to be American, speak American, and if you don't like it to go back to Mexico where she belonged." This made me feel infuriated because even though she tried to speak English without an accent, she was put down for the way she spoke it by a teacher, who in my perspective, should encourage kids to perform to the best of their abilities, not discourage them. Although attacks on one's form of expression with the intent to censor was a violation of the first amendment, the Anglo culture practically tried to assimilate our language into theirs indirectly by it becoming a necessity to speak in order to maintain a good standing in the United States. In "Complexion," Rodriguez informs us about the discrimination the Mexican community faced according to their appearance and skin tone color. It affected our culture so deep psychologically that they began to see themselves uglier the darker their skin tone color was. However, I believe regardless of our skin color and language efficiency that we should not feel belittled or inferior to anyone around us. We are all unique in our own way and have our personal flaws we have to deal with. Despite being imperfect, we should take pride in who we are and where we come from because if we don't, no one else will. (275)
ReplyDeleteAdrian Martinez
Chapter 5, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” of Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands La Frontera and “Complexion” by Richard Rodriguez gave me an aggravating feeling on how mean people can be all because they are not the same color or don’t talk the same as them. I am proud that I am able to speak both English and Spanish because honestly it opens a lot of doors for me in the world. I may have an accent, but just because of that I shouldn’t be brought down because of it. Tex-Mex, especially here in The Valley, is a sort of language we have made for ourselves. “Ruca”, “vato”, and “simon” are commonly known here in South Texas. I use them myself when I’m hanging out with my friends. One day that I will never forget was when I was a freshman in high school, my pre calculus teacher was writing something on the board and I didn’t quite understand so I rose my hand asking if she could explain it one more time. “I’ve explained it so much, do you need me to say it in Spanish for you?”, was her response. I felt humiliated in front of the class. Anzaldua explains something similar like this in the chapter. But look at me now; I didn’t let her stop me. Because of her it gave me even more motivation to pursue my education.
ReplyDeleteGiselle Sanchez
Anzaldua continues to strive and progress with her goal of identity through self-journey. In this chapter Anzaldua expresses her value of the Spanish language. Throughout the chapter I feel as though she continues to express the variations the Spanish language has. She believes that we should not conform to one specific way of speaking. I feel that this type of expression can bring about open minds in that language should be personal to that person. While reading this chapter, maybe this is just my pride, but I did not feel she had to explain to others the different ways she wanted express the Spanish language. After consideration I realized she was explaining in a way to educate others. There is no limit to speech, her “dual identity” does not conform to one way of living, it is anything she wishes to express. “Complexion,” written by Rodriguez, brings to light the amount of shame Mexican American families held. The shame of one’s skin color. Rodriguez recounts his childhood struggles in which his mother was constantly aware and careful of the dark skin her son has. This just goes to show the stigma most Chicanos had to endure of having darker skin not only outside of their culture but in it as well. Later, through the reading Rodriguez accepts his skin, carrying no shame. I do believe skin color ties in with your culture, but sadly others see it as a fall back if ones’ skin is darker that the “norm.” These readings can contribute to the society by helping educate with the culture we should be aware of.
ReplyDeleteAlma De La Llana