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Impacts on latin american literature
Importance Of History
Mexican migration to the USA essay 600
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Pat Mora was born on January 19, 1942 in El Paso, Texas. She is a Mexican-American poet, and writer of children’s books and non-fiction. Pat graduated with a degree from Texas Western College in the year of 1963. As a popular presenter, she was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Buffalo State and North Carolina State University, and she is also an honorary member of the American Library Association. Pat Mora is the author of the very interesting and intriguing poem “La Migra.” La Migra displays the very contrasting views of two very different people. In this poem there are two speakers in a seeming battle against each other. They are both seemingly in a struggle for power, a show of dominance, and this poem displays a serious issue that …show more content…
In the first stanza, the speaker says to the other that “you can hide and run, but you cannot get away,” he is saying that because he believes that since he is the border patrol, he is automatically tougher and better than the Mexican maid (Line 5-6). Another way the border patrol speaker believes he is more dominant and has an advantage is when he says “I can touch you wherever I want/I’ve got boots and kick” (12 and 15). He is saying this because he believes he has much more power over the maid and he is trying to be very assertive with her in the fact that he can do many wrong things to her, even assault and sexual assault. The next speaker who also believes she has more power is the Mexican Maid. In the second stanza the Mexican maid tries to show her dominance by saying “I know this desert, where to rest, where to drink. Oh I am not alone” (27-30). She says this because while she does not have the strength and the tools that the border patrol speaker has, she has another way of having power over him and that is by knowing the land and how to survive on it while she runs and hides from the other speaker playing the game, and instead of her being hunted she has not become the hunter because of the tools she …show more content…
In reality, the Mexican maid does have more power because while she does not have his jeep, handcuffs, or gun, she “knows where to rest, where to drink” (28-29). Also in the second stanza she says that “your jeep has a flat and you have been spotted by the sun”, so the Mexican maid will most likely be better off than the border patrol because she knows the land and how to use it, as well as the ability to speak Spanish (22-24). The border patrol sees it as a disadvantage because she cannot speak his language, but speaking Spanish is a benefit actually because of where they are and it would probably be crucial in that type of setting. In this poem there is a playful tone presented although the underlying issue in these stanzas is a very serious and controversial one that is going on right now. The idea of writing this poem in the form of children playing a silly game is to simplify and make clear of the point of views of the border patrol and illegal immigrants and the type of things that go on every day at the border. This poem expresses what usually happens at with illegal immigrants and what they call La
Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1978. De la Cruz, Sor Juana Ines. Poems, Protest, and a Dream: Selected Writings. Edited by Ilan Stavans, 2007-2019. Translated by Margaret Sayers.
Manuel Munoz discusses topics that may be considered controversial to many people, but this doesn’t stop him from creating brilliant pieces of writing.
The poem “La Migra” was written by Pat Mora in 1993, it is divided into two stanzas for two different points of view. They both depict a boy and girl playing a game in which they take turns being a border patrol officer and an illegal immigrant crossing the border. Throughout the poem some dangers faced by immigrants are indirectly referenced. The poem does a great job at explaining the scenario of illegal border crossing from the views of children as well as from two different perspectives, someone in power and the victim- the maid crossing over the border. Illegal immigration is seen as the worst thing in American culture from the perspective of racist Americans, however those people fail to take into account the obstacles and the dangers faced everyday by migrants
He then gives some historical context by touching on the many challenges that Chicana/o students faced in the past. For an example, he touches on the discrimination many Chicana/o students faced in the classroom during the 1960’s. Nelson then shows how during those times Chicana/o authors used stories and poetry to voice their feelings and experiences regarding the issue of discrimination in order to draw a parallel to the purpose of Rivera’s publication. Nelson goes on to dive into the Rivera texts and draws different examples of the authors’ strategies to expose the issue. Finally, Nelson identifies the two different rhetorical strategies of In Lak’ech and mestiza in the texts and explains how they play
In the poem “Mexican is Not a Noun”, it seems as if the author, Francisco Alarcon, is letting the readers know that the word “Mexican” depicts an action word instead of a person, place, or thing. The structure of the poem is parallel. Up under the title of the poem, there is information regarding how some Mexican women were arrested for showing solidarity. I perceived this information as a reason why the poem contained short lines as if Alarcon’s view of the cannery workers were short and to the point. It seems very obvious that the writer is upset and wrote just what his thoughts were about the strike at the cannery. The Mexicans do not seem to be treated fairly. It seems as if Alarcon writes the poem to tell how Mexicans had to live a life
Najarro.Adela. "Angles in the Kitchen:Latino Poets and the Search for Identity." Adela Najarro's Website. 24 Oct. 2002. 16. Sept. 2003
Using both English and Spanish or Spanglish the author Gloria Anzaldua explores the physical, cultural, spiritual, sexual and psychological meaning of borderlands in her book Borderlands/La Frontera: A New Mestiza. As a Chicana lesbian feminist, Anzaldua grew up in an atmosphere of oppression and confusion. Anzaldua illustrates the meaning of being a “mestiza”. In order to define this, she examines herself, her homeland and language. Anzaldúa discusses the complexity of several themes having to do with borderlands, mestizaje, cultural identity, women in the traditional Mexican family, sexual orientation, la facultad and the Coatlicue state. Through these themes, she is able to give her readers a new way of discovering themselves. Anzaldua alerts us to a new understanding of the self and the world around us by using her personal experiences.
Martinez, Demetria. 2002. “Solidarity”. Border Women: Writing from la Frontera.. Castillo, Debra A & María Socorro Tabuenca Córdoba. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 168- 188.
Triunfante quiero ver al que me mata; y mato a quien me quiere ver triunfante."- Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Algunas personas piensan que la mujer es menos capas que el hombre, cuando la realidad es que la mujer es más capas que el hombre. Frida Kahlo, una artista mexicana que inspiró al mundo con sus pinturas, su historia es muy reconocida y es digna de una persona para admirar. Dolores Jiménez y Muro, quien fue una revolucionaria que contribuyo a la historia de México, es de las mujeres Mexicanas que no les dan el crédito que merecen. Marta Lamas es una antropóloga mexicana que es reconocida en el ámbito de los Derechos Humanos por sus acciones como feminista. En este escrito se podrá observar que el tono será neutro, el objetivo principal de nuestro escrito es informar a la sociedad sobre las heroínas mexicanas que han luchado por la mujer y finalmente se usará un patrón de organización de los párrafos es el desarrollo de un tema.
...community, equal rights and the right to follow your roots) with the central focus of the poem. As Susan Bassnett states in her essay Bilingual Poetry: A Chicano Phenomenon , there is a “Latin American tradition of the poet who occupies a prominent place in the struggle for freedom and national unity”, and as Cervantes and Gonzales demonstrated, the poet’s role in Latin America has not been diminished.
Latin America is rich with stories and legends. Many are said to have been originated from the time of the Conquistadors or the indigenous era. One story or legend that has surpass all other folklore and the times, in all parts of Latin America, is that of “the weeping woman” or best known as “La Llorona”. Her sad story is said to have originated in a small town in Mexico. It was said that in this small humble town, there lived an enchanting young girl. She was by far the most beautiful young girl in all the nearby villages. Just as her beauty was recognized through out all Mexico so to was her name. The older Maria got, her beauty seem to increase and sparkle like priceless rubies and gems. But unfortunately her heart was black and full of pride. No man was suitable and they were beneath her beauty to even be glanced by her eyes. Until one day there rode into town a dashing young stallion of a man riding on his half wild horse. Some say that he claimed to say “He thought it wasn't manly to ride a horse if it wasn't half wild”. http://www.literacynet.org/lp/hperspectives/llorona.html. This young man was not just handsome but wealthy and played the guitar while singing with his majestic voice. In one glance, Maria knew that this was the man she would marry. She didn’t make it easy for him to woo her. This young man would serenade beautiful melodies out side her window and present her with gifts from afar. Maria would ignore every thing the young man did to get her attention. Finally this young man conquered her love and it wasn’t long before they both got engaged and married. Years went by and Maria bore him two kids. This ...
The poem “Behind Grandma’s House” by Gary Soto is a poem about rebellion, through the eyes of a boy who desperately needs attention, who has a lack of respect, and who ironically receives a lesson from his grandmother as a consequence from his behaviors. During the reading of this poem, the reader can feel somewhat caught off guard by its abrupt and disturbing ending. However, after analyzing the author’s own idea of who he was as a child, and the behaviors that may have been expected from him, it gives the reader a better understanding behind the inspiration the author used for his work, more specifically “Behind Grandma’s House.” Many articles have been wrote about Gary Soto’s life and work. However, there is an article titled “About Gary Soto: A profile” by Don Lee, which gives the reader a better understanding of Soto’s background. It also helps in understanding the character that is being represented in the poem.
Her metaphors help the readers understand in a better way how those experiences affect those who are labeled as “queer.” She explains that a queer is someone seen as different than the rest, like the underdog, the abnormal, etc. She quickly dives into the situation by talking about “los atravesados” which translates to “the crossed” the ones who are discriminated. She adds “Los atravesados live here… Gringos in the U.S. Southwest consider the inhabitants of the borderlands transgressors, aliens- whether they possess documents or not,” (Anzaldua pg.3) These lines express how those people are being discriminated against. These lines by the author makes me think about my own personal situation, because being a legal resident of the U.S. gives the chance to be here legally, but it does not take the fact that I am an ‘alien’ and number that will be there unless I become a citizen, so those feelings I understand completely because I have lived that and I see what the author is
can teach our country a great deal of important life lessons. This play ties in perfectly with the United States current issue of immigration and gives a refreshing side of the undocumented immigrants struggles for a new life. It expresses the issues many undocumented immigrants face when leaving their old homes behind and trying to become an American citizen and the struggles that they will face. Issues this play brings to life for our society is allowing your voice to be heard. As an individual in our society we are all told our voices are heard but these are lies to prevent us from achieving what we desire. The voices we hold are small face many difficulties when attempting change anything but, as proven in the past, if we work together as a whole are voices can conquer any obstacle that stands in front of us. As our brave main character said at the end of the play “My story 's in the wind! It 's flying home, Mama! It 's in the plaza and in the fields! It 's in the Big Head of the Rich Man. It 's in the arms of the Poor Man, Papa! And he 's putting down his machete, and he 's telling the Soldier, "No Mas!" "No More!"” The story of Miguel and his journey will come to influence others to act upon his behalf. One by one, people will become knowledgeable of what fears he had to overcame when the odds were stacked against him. The current issue of immigration that is brought up to our generation can be a great stepping stone for what the future can bring to America. If we combine all our voices and make a stand for the good of everyone we can create a solution for the problems of millions. The next time you feel your voice is too small to be heard, be reminded of the young Miguel in the play ¡Bocón!, and face you’re fears and gather the courage to stand up for what you believe
The contrast between the Mexican world versus the Anglo world has led Anzaldua to a new form of self and consciousness in which she calls the “New Mestiza” (one that recognizes and understands her duality of race). Anzaldua lives in a constant place of duality where she is on the opposite end of a border that is home to those that are considered “the queer, the troublesome, the mongrel and the mulato” (25). It is the inevitable and grueling clash of two very distinct cultures that produces the fear of the “unknown”; ultimately resulting in alienation and social hierarchy. Anzaldua, as an undocumented woman, is at the bottom of the hierarchy. Not only is she a woman that is openly queer, she is also carrying the burden of being “undocumented”. Women of the borderlands are forced to carry two degrading labels: their gender that makes them seem nothing more than a body and their “legal” status in this world. Many of these women only have two options due to their lack of English speaking abilities: either leave their homeland – or submit themselves to the constant objectification and oppression. According to Anzaldua, Mestizo culture was created by men because many of its traditions encourage women to become “subservient to males” (39). Although Coatlicue is a powerful Aztec figure, in a male-dominated society, she was still seen