Blog #5

It just so happens that the other day I was having a conversation with a customer about her daughter speaking another language, I praised her and her daughter of the fact that she was attempting to learn another language, which is something I admire. When I was younger, my parents never taught me how to speak Spanish. My mom is fluent and my dad knows how to speak it, but cannot write it. As I got older and had to take Spanish in high school, I found it extremely difficult to learn, it felt like I was dyslexic. I promised myself that I would try to learn Spanish before I die because its something I always felt like I should know. Seeing, that we live in California I think it is important for many people to be bilingual and be open to learning other languages besides Spanish. This all connects to Gloria Anzaldua's essay, she went on about how she felt like society put restrictions on Spanish and when it was appropriate to speak it. I also found her writing about Spanish to be quite true. My mom often referred to her family that lives in Texas, as Tejano's because of the way they act and their lingo in Spanish is different than California Spanish..which is what Gloria was talking about. Gloria also says that "As a culture, we call ourselves Spanish when referring ourselves as a linguistic group and when copping out...We call ourselves Mexican-American to signify..we are neither Mexican nor American, but more the noun "American" the adjective "Mexican" (and when copping out)." I found what she said to be true amongst the Latino community, I don't know whether we feel as Latino's that we are still not accepted by society or if there is a negative stigma that associates with our culture?

Because I am mixed race..I find it complicated to be associated with just ONE ethnicity. For instance, because I'm light skinned I'm often confused with being Caucasian but then when viewed by Caucasians I'm thought to be Mexican. Also, because I don't speak Spanish, Mexican's often view me as "white-washed." So, apparently I'm not "white" enough for Caucasians or "Mexican" enough for Mexicans..because of my language and my appearance. Either way, I feel that society should view speaking languages not as defining someone's race..but defining how someone is.

Blog #4

As I was reading The Art of Colonoial Latin America, I realized that back then artists work was recognized by society and although they were esssentially controlled by the local government and at many times suffered for their arts; they were still respected for being a master at their craft. Today, I feel that artists don't get the recognition they once got and when one says they are an "artist", society just says "oh" and moves on. Every person does some form of art, whether that be an oil painter creating something on a piece of canvas, or a singer writing lyrics on paper; its a form of art. I feel that art needs to be revered as it once was, and not just a "hobby".

From 1521 to Current Day

As I am watching a video of Spanish conquest on the Aztec, I could not help but think how in over 500 years nothing has changed. People were killing and trying to change people's customs and beliefs then and they are still trying to do it now. Why do we feel a need as people to try try to change people's beliefs into our own? Isn't that the whole purpose of everyone being different is we all think differently and may not always agree? I see the similarities in issues we have today like the Iraq war and the ban over gay marriage. The similarites are the same as when the Spanish conquistadores did it, except were not leaving a deadly disease like smallpox behind. No person has the right to say, "I believe this so you should too."

The major question is, will it ever change? Or as people, are we always going to want to modify other people's way of thinking or beliefs? Why can't we just accept that everyone is different culturally and be satisfied with that?