Find a newspaper article online that relates to Pandora’s Box, by Arturo Arias. Explain the connection. 

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/10/transgender-stories-people-think-we-wake-up-and-decide-to-be-trans

Article “Transgender stories: ‘People think we wake up and decide to be trans,” from The Guardian tells the story of five people who share their experiences as a transgender. “Pandora’s Box” by Arturo Arias, is about the story of a man named Juan, who becomes a woman named Juanita. Under this new transformation, Juanita shares her internal and external experiences, and its effect on her social relationships. Similar to the story, the article sheds light on how these individuals didn’t become aware of their sexuality until they were older, and how some identify as non binary. Nikki Hayden explains in the article, “The thing about trans people is, we feel very normal. It’s the way we are,” and just like Juanita, she felt comfortable in her skin, owning her new body, and embracing this new journey ahead of her.

Create a playlist on Spotify that matches the short story “Kimberle”, by Achy Obejas. Explain the connection of the songs to parts of the reading and specific quotes.

(I only have Apple Music)

19.10 by Childish Gambino – “To be beautiful is to be hunted”

This lyric relates to the psychopath that kidnaps and murders college aged girls. Every year during the fall season, there would be a disappearance of a girl. “To be beautiful is to be hunted” exemplifies the way in which women are the target for violence, sexual assault, and kidnapping.

Outlandish by dvsn – “Couldn’t be a better worse time, ironic, waiting for the perfect timing, no such thing”

This lyric relates to the relationship between the narrator and Kimberle. The relationship between both characters is quite dysfunctional. It seems as though they don’t know how to express how they feel about one another. But their unconditional love for one another is what allows the bond to continue going. “Waiting for the perfect timing, no such thing” represents how perfect timing never worked for both characters, despite the amount of time they spent together.

Say Yes by Floetry – “Let me undress you, babe, open up your mind and just rest”

This lyric relates to the part of the story where Kimberle and the narrator kiss. As the narrator leaves the tub naked and wet, she feels Kimberle grip her by the ankle. As the narrator unravels Kimberle’s fingers, the two meet face to face and start kissing. The lyric depicts the sexual tension that both characters have for one another.

Thanks 4 Nothing by Mariah the Scientist – “Closer to my heart, and maybe you can feel my pain”

This lyric relates to the way in which Kimberle lied to the narrator. I think the narrator was in denial about Kimberle stealing her books, but since she genuinely loved her, she gave her the benefit of the doubt. When the narrator sees the books in Kimberle’s car following the accident, the narrator feels nothing but pain. 

Include the poem by José Olivarez: “Mexican Heaven” ; Poems. Why would you include this poem on your blog; in relation to what?. Post it next to a movie clip that relates to it. Quote pertinent verses.

A MEXICAN DREAMS OF HEAVEN BY JOSÉ OLIVAREZ

all of the Mexicans sneak into heaven. St. Peter has

their name on the list, but none of the Mexicans have

trusted a list since Ronald Reagan was President.

St. Peter is a Mexican named Pedro, but he’s not

a saint. Pedro waits at the gate with a shot of tequila

to welcome all the Mexicans to heaven, but he gets drunk

& forgets about the list. all the Mexicans walk

into heaven, even our no good cousins who only

go to church for baptisms & funerals.

it turns out God is one of those religious Mexicans

who doesn’t drink or smoke weed, so all the Mexicans

in heaven party in the basement while God reads

the bible & thumbs a rosary. God threatens to kick

all the Mexicans out of heaven if they don’t stop

con las pendejadas, so the Mexicans drink more

discreetly. they smoke outside where God won’t

smell the weed. God pretends the Mexicans are reformed.

hallelujah. this cycle repeats once a month. amen.

Jesus has a tattoo of La Virgen De Guadalupe

covering his back. turns out he’s your cousin

Jesus from the block. turns out he gets reincarnated

every day & no one on Earth cares all that much.

all the Mexican women refuse to cook or clean

or raise the kids or pay bills or make the bed or

drive your bum ass to work or do anything except

watch their novelas, so heaven is gross. the rats

are fat as roosters & the men die of starvation.

there are white people in heaven, too. they build

condos across the street & ask the Mexicans to

speak English. i’m just kidding. there are no

white people in heaven.

tamales. tacos. tostadas. tortas.

pozole. sopes. huaraches. menudo.

horchata. jamaica. limonada. agua.

St. Peter lets Mexicans into heaven

but only to work in the kitchens.

A Mexican dishwasher polishes the crystal,

smells the meals, & hears the music

through the swinging doors. they dream

of another heaven, one they might be allowed in

if only they work hard enough.

Mi Vida Loca is a film that conveys the lives of young Mexican-American girl gang members in Echo Park, Los Angeles. The struggles that these women face highlights their realities, where drugs, violence, and serving time is the way of life. Gang culture has grown significantly over the past century. Throughout the 1990s, Chicano gangs were profiled as dangerous and violent, often residing in the barrios of East Los Angeles. Narrated through the lens of a female perspective, Chicana gang members navigate poverty and early motherhood. For these women, being a part of a gang is more than what society frames it to be, it’s an operation that has developed into sisterhood. Grief, fear, and love are the motivating elements that show the way in which these women will do whatever it takes to survive. “Our homeboys take pride in telling the history of our barrio, because white people leave out a lot of stuff when they tell it,” in the opening scene of the film, it becomes clear that Mousie’s outlook of the world is also a representation of her status in society. The typical Latinx criminal narrative is deeply embedded in American culture that it has often become the actual reality for many.

After reading Porcupine Love, short story by Tatiana de la Tierra (Colombia), write an alternative ending for it. No less than two paragraphs.

When I get home I will pack my things and move to New Zealand. No regrets, no looking back, no fear, I’m just going to do it. I messed up with Antenna, but she’s been the missing link all along. She ignited a fire in me that I didn’t know existed. She made me feel complete.

True love, could I have found it? Will going to New Zealand give me this answer? I love her and I want to be with her. The woman of my dreams, my precious Antenita. I guess time will reveal all the answers I’m looking for. But my love for her has never been a question.

After reading La Guera, Cherrie Moraga, record your voice ( just audio)
speaking for 1 or 2 minutes about how this reading relates to you.

What have you learned in this course; in our classes, during an assignment,
from a peer, in a conversation in / outside class? The answer to this question can be the screenshot of a conversation, a voice recording of a reflection, a video speaking, a piece of art, or a diagram. Express your answer in the manner you want.

Choose an image from “selected photography of Dulce Pinzón (link)” and
another from “selected photography of Graciela Iturbide (Link)” and write a
paragraph or record voice/video analyzing a comparison.

Both of these images represent the indigenous lineage within Latin American culture. The lives of the indigenous population were affected by the conquest of Europeans. Their language, local units, and cultural heritage has been diminished. However, the history remains and forever will. These images are a representation of the indigenous that lives within each Latino. At the end of the day, we are one.

Blog #2

Shanika, Andrea and Allison

PRLS3105 East Side blog post

After reading this poem it was interesting to analyze and interpret the meaning behind this poem. The poet describes himself as a Puerto Rican who faced adversity living in a low-income neighborhood. His message to his readers is to take pride of where you are from and do not be ashamed of your culture. He loved his neighborhood so much that he wanted his ashes to be left behind.

Parts 8:00-9:30

Allison, Andrea, Shanika

Listening to music has for a long time been one of our favorite hobbies. It sets the rhythm of our mood. However, after reading the article called Bomba and Plena it was interesting to learn the attitudes of Bomba and Plena styled songs. During the 17^th century, enslaved Afro Puerto Ricans used Bomba as a form of expressing their anger; simultaneously because of the upbeat rhythms, they used it as a form to dance and celebrate themselves. Plena was developed in the 20^th century with the intentions of sharing history and news events about political protests happening in Puerto Rico. From reading this article, we could see how important it is to learn the meaning of songs in order to understand why songs send out a certain emotion towards one’s mood.