What have you learned in this course?
A Xicana Codex
Moraga is on of the foremothers of the Chicana feminist movement. I relate to Cherrie Moraga’s Xicana Codex in the sense where she is a Mexican-American woman just trying to find her place within society. Being a minority, yet being so connected to your roots is relatable to myself. The codex was a great collection of Moraga’s writings, including important points in her life.
Kimberle
The playlist composed by me for Kimberle comes together in the sense of sexuality, gender and Cuban pride. Obejas is a Cuban poet who consistently mentions Cuba in her Kimberle story, obviously taking great pride in Cuba making his fictional characters Cuban as well.
Sexile
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/11/26/cuba-fidel-castros-record-repression#
Fidel’s regime was a repressive one. Many Cubans fled, only having a growing resentment towards him. The Cuban people paid a terrible price for the dictatorship that he ousted.
Natasha Carrizosa and Natalie Caro
Caro writes a poem titled “Dear White People” and Carrizosa writes “Mejiafricana.” Both are representations of imagery, which consists of descriptive language functioning as ways for readers to examine literature and add symbolism. “Dear White People” is solely about the “white way” being the “right away.” We visualize the white Christ, which is mentioned and white superiority. In a way, Mejiafricana slightly relates in the way where Carrizosa slams white superiority and there is pride in both sides of their roots. Half mexicana and half africana, she is prideful in both, taking into consideration both sides of who she is, no more no less.
La fiesta de los Linares
I would include this in my blog post because it is very appropriate to the course and its meaning. It is part of Ambientes, a collection of stories by a wide variety of writers It pays tribute to the growing LGBTQ+ Latino population in the U.S., a minority within a minority which is exactly what this class has been about.
Jennifer Maritza Mccauley
So many words stood out to me in the Blackout story. To begin, isla del encanto is italicized. Puerto Rico is known as la isla del encanto which translates to island of enchantment. Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista and he is also mentioned in this poem, particularly in the Spanish version “Cristobal.” A jibaro, which is also italicized is a self-subsistence farmer in Puerto Rico, they are a great reflection to the culture. The phrase most important in the whole poem is “No existe un corazon americano. Tienes sangre esclava, taina, blanca.” The Puerto Rican is a blend of Taino, Spanish and African. The entire poem is in relation to Puerto Rican pride and what makes the island so charming.
