Gloria Anzaldua, A latina lesbian feminist who has enforced my placement in the world. Her writing portrays her individuality, growth, and stabilizes her presence. Although her writing may come off to some people as angry, she used her voice in writing to break away from the oppression she failed to ignore. Education was the foundation to this woman’s freedom.
SYNOPSIS:
This book is divided into two sections. The first part walks the reader through historical information that leads her to be who she is, and why she believes in her revolutionary writing. The second part is a collection of poems where she uses great imagery to convey the message and themes in them.
History of Oppression:
“Where an eagle with a writhing serpent in its beak perched on a cactus. The eagle symbolizes the spirit (as the sun, the father); the serpent symbolizes the soul (as the earth, the mother). Together the symbolize the struggle between male and underworld/ earth/ feminine.” (5)
Although many people don’t know thats what the eagle and serpent represent, the effects of this symbolization are still currently affecting women from achieving personal fulfillment.
La Virgen de Luz
At the Oakland Museum I attended an exhibit named “Splendors of Faith Scars of Conquest” The Arts of the Missions of Northern New Spain. Its hard to tell, but at the bottom corners are indigenous “barbarians” devoting themselves to the Virgen of Light. This is the beginning of the oppression indigenous people experienced. Art work like this one symbolizing people of color to be devotees to a religion they had been forced upon. Indigenous groups interpreted the images of the Christ and the Virgen in their own way; views which included masculine and feminine principles.
Immediately following this exhibit, it turned into one called “Contemporary Coda” which is a modern day expression of the issues we talked about in class; identity issues, cultural, religion, etc.
This expression is very controversial. I showed my parents and their immediate reactions were, “See thats where people cross the line.” I’m not sure what line they are talking about, but I know that that line is only setting boundaries for themselves.
Appearance/Sexuality and its stereotypes
Gloria made the choice to become lesbian which I find admirable. “Its an interesting path, one that continually slips and out of the white, the Catholic, the Mexican, the indigenous, the instincts.” (19)
I don’t know how many times I’ve been made fun of for coming off as a lesbian. Whether its my attitude, the way I dress, or simply of admitting I’m a feminist. I’ve recently changed my “about me” section on facebook which states, “I’m a latina heterosexual feminist (please correlate this to my sexual artistry),” to kinda poke fun at the stereotypes I receive. So this guy that I’ve been kinda dating wants to take things to another physical level with me, and I’m not comfortable with. And because I don’t his justification is, “your like all about that women empowerment shit, thats why you won’t.” Its like men are starting to use the word “feminism” against me to justify their weak game.
Similarities in spirituality/symbolism
Sus plumas el viento was poem written for Gloria’s mother. The imagery used in this poem helps readers paint the picture of the mother’s sacrifices and struggles in great detail.
“Que le de sus plumas el viento.
The sound of hummingbird wings
in her ears, pico de chuparrosas.” (31-33)
I’m a very spirtual person, and I believe in the Universe speaking to me through symbolic messages, and correlating it with my instinct. I have a hummingbird tattoo because at a very low point in my life I saw one and it brought me comfort, it symbolized hope in my despair, so when I see it used in Gloria’s writing, I take it as a symbolic message from the Universe telling me I am on the right path in my life at this moment.
Language
Gloria uses both English and Spanish in her writing. The use of both languages set comfort for some, and boundaries for others, but it establishes her creditability from both cultures.
“Nothing in my culture approved of me. Habia agarrado malos pasos. Somethingg was ‘wrong’ with me. Estaba mas alla de la tradicion.” (16)
Having been in this class has had me build some resentment towards my mother. This past Mother’s day, I honestly didn’t want to speak with her. I certainly didn’t want to get her a card filled with lies like, “Thanks for always being there and encouraging me,” so I bought a simple one, and decided to write my own passage with no lies, but still conveying my love for her, so I wrote:
“Mom, todos los sacraficios que has hecho por nuestra familia no se han hido inadvertido. Como una mujer que todavia esta creciendo me has estabilizada mi fundacion para hacer una mujer latina, siempre rompiendo barrera porque ha nosotras “nos vale” These bracelets symbolize our bond has mother and daughter, no matter how much silence there is between us (por tercas) we will always love each other. Thanks Mom for everything you’ve taught me. I hope that you start being more independent and selfsih porque nadamas u sabes tu valor. Happy Mother’s Day!”
Translation: “Mom all of the sacrifices that you’ve done for this family have not gone unnoticed. Because I am a woman that is still growing you have set the foundation for me and our “I don’t give a shit” attitude…”
My Mother was really touched by my card. This was the first time I had translated and gave my words more thought, plus I was trying to be honest without being a mean. Breaking the language barrier really symbolized something to my mother. I included the name of her favorite song by Mana called Me Vale. My mom acts like she doesn’t care, but she lives in fear. I have decided that I will only take certain characteristics from my mother in order to live up to my potential.
CONCLUSION:
Gloria Anzaldua’s book has inspired me as a latina feminist, and a writer. The more educated I become the more barriers and hurdles I feel that I am overcoming. Our class, the books, and people’s opinions have made up a very significant chapter in my life. I’m in a grey transitional state that is very much making up the essence of my bliss. Thanks!!
PEACE, LOVE & HAPPINESS.
For Kilo.
![laurafama:
Dimepiece Designs flesh graphic print & tee in 2009. We cut out each body part or image to form word ‘DimePiece’. From the vintage art book called Pipe Dreams – Made Oct 1981
Photographs by John Thornton
“This is the first collection in book form in this hemisphere of the work of a brilliant photograher of women in the nude-one whose talent is sensational as it is completely individual. Here are glossy, vividly colorful effects whose enamel-like surfaces are at one with the sophistication of the century. The high degree of eroticism is always tempered by ingenious composition and sense of humor both audacious and unbridled.”
From the somewhat disrepectful foreward:“[Here is] the kind of book friends borrow and never give back. Unless this copy belongs to you, return it at once and buy your own.”](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz0092puYe1qfyb3fo1_1280.jpg)
