La Bamba Film Review

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The film “La Bamba” written and directed by Luis Valdez, known to be the founder of modern Chicano film showcased several themes that we have been reading in our text the last few weeks. The themes of machismo, and family are seen, as well as things like discrimination and gender roles. In one of the opening scenes Valens mother is talking to the farm women and says “I’m tired of being hit by men already,” I knew the theme of machismo would be showcased in this film when she said that. We see the theme of machismo in the film best through the character of Bob, Valen’s older brother. Bob is a tough guy, who initially just wanted to provide for his family and get them out of the campos. We see Bob struggle with alcoholism throughout the film causing him to grow violent, especially towards his girlfriend Rosie. There was also a very triggering scene when Bob basically rapes Rosie after they had an argument and she had locked herself in the room saying she just wanted to get some rest. Bob himself later tells his brother that he basically has to rape Rosie in order to have sex. This is something I felt important to bring up that even though they were in a relationship, consent is still necessary. Rosie even tells Bob is this all you want me for? Referring to sex, and also states that he thinks she’s his love slave that he can kick around. A scene between Bob and Ritchie where they are both fighting, Ritchie punches Bob and says “I’m not Rosie asshole” which he meant that he wasn’t going to allow being pushed around, or being someone he could push around. Both Rosie and Valen’s mothers showcase gender roles that women had to be the ones cooking and cleaning, but Valen’s mother also went to work which is untraditional as we have seen in our readings of Next of Kin, as women were supposed to stay at home and take care of the children. There was a scene in which Rosie looked at a pile of dirty plates stacked high in disappointment because of course she was the one who was going to have to wash the plates. We’ve also been reading in Next of Kin the importance of family unity in the movement and we see this theme in the film. The family was really close regardless of the drama, they all came together to help Ritchie in a scene when the whole family is gathered around making posters and then going around town spreading the word of his concert. When Valens music producer ask him to pick what’s most important to him music or his friendship he says family. At the end of the film we even see him making up with his brother and both of them saying “I’m still your brother”. Family is essential in Chicano culture. The theme of discrimination was see with Donna’s disapproving father, I thought it was hilarious when he asked his daughter of Ritchie was Italian. I think Donna’s father’s disapproval was both being that Ritchie was Chicano and because of his class status, because he was poor. This made me think to my personal life, I’ve been in a relationship with a gringo for two years and his father still disapproves, which is really sad. His dad is extremely racist and hates Mexicans which has caused issues in our relationship and unfortunately I don’t have a strong bond with his side of the family due to it, but luckily my family is accepting and has welcomed him into our family. I had never seen this film before, and didn’t know too much about Ritchie Valens but I really enjoyed the film and the music. At the end of the film it made me reflect and think about the huge contribution that Ritchie Valen left on the Chicano community after just 8 months of his rock and roll career. I think about Selena and the huge contribution she left for Chicanas and how both of these artist are still a big part of the community. It makes me wonder what more they could have offered to the Chicana/o community.

Machismo

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One of the main themes for this week’s reading was machismo and the way that it affects the family unit. An article from my favorite magazine Bitch Media, talks about the way that advertisers for self-care products such as hair care, moisturizers, and fragrances are now focusing on marketing for Latino men because their buying these products heavily. they mention the fact that they no longer feel the need to make their products seem “manly” in order to appeal Latino men because they no longer feel uncomfortable about keeping up with their appearances. Chiqui Cartagena from Ad Age goes on to describe latino males as the original metrosexuals because they like to look good and get primped and groomed. She also mentions that being the original metrosexuals is a description that is the farthest description she could get from machismo. I think when we think about a “macho latino man”, most people don’t necessarily imagine some guy going into Ulta Beauty to get his eyebrows waxed and pick up some skin care products. Which i think their trying to point out that although machismo definitely exist in our culture that there are also a lot of stereotypes about what a macho latino men is like and looks like. I also really like this article for this week’s theme of machismo because it puts into question why machismo pops up when we think about latino men. The article mentions that the influence of the Catholic church, the Spanish conquest, and socioeconomic inequity could play a role on why we see machismo in latino culture.

Bitch Media Article

Week 2- 1st reader Laura Cisneros

Hello class! As some of my other classmates have already posted, a theme that was seen in this week and last week’s readings/podcast has been family structure and also the mention of the role that women play in this family structure, and living in this patriarchal family unit. I was really inspired by the podcast perspectives especially the one titled Enduring Feminist Wisdom of Cherrie Moraga. She is a feminist of color which is important to me because I feel like I can relate to WOC more than i can with white feminist. Cherrie herself mentions the importance of WOC leaders in activism because these strategies need to come from people who are experiencing it. I was wondering if any of you felt the same way? and if so who are some of your favorite WOC feminist such as Cherrie Moraga? She also talks about the relationship between men and women in her household and how she wanted to be her brother because he was “free”. In my household it’s all women and my father so the women are in charge so i’ve never felt that before, but i know some of my chicana friends who have brothers have told me similar things about wishing to have the same freedom as their brothers. Was hoping to get more insight about this dynamic between how siblings are treated differently based on gender? Thinking about my own family and the way its more matriarchal made me connect with Beneath The Shadow Of The Freeway,because it mentions that they are a woman family. I learned in my women’s studies class about how a matriarchal society isn’t a feminist society because it oppresses men, what do you all think about that? do you think that a matriarchal society could be a feminist society?

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Hello everyone! My name is Laura and I am addicted to artificially flavored coffee. I love hockey. I love reading and watching amazing films over and over again. I like the feeling of bare feet against cold sheets. I crave new experiences. I am a senior at CSUDH majoring in Communications: Media Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies. I initially wanted to be a filmmaker but since CSUDH did not have a film program I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give the communications department a shot. I decided that although I would still love to make films in the future that I also want to write for Feminist Media Studies and conduct research. I am interested in writing about the role media plays in perpetuating rape culture. I have always been interested in taking a Chicano studies course and since its my senior year it was now or never (or until grad school) and this one in particular interested me.