After watching the video on Norma Cantu she expressed what it was like for her family to adapt to Mexican culture when they were in Mexico and then to American culture when they were in Texas. She spoke about what the border used to be like that it was more of a bridge that allowed people to cross over easily and compares it to how the process to cross over from Mexico to the U.S is now. She speaks a lot of what the history was and something was stood out to me was how they celebrated George Washington’s birthday as a big extravaganza and the dresses that women would wear. Then, she compared it to how her mother dressed her and made the dress as a Chicana culture. The last thing that truly stood out to me from her video was when she mentions her brother that always played guns. That even though he was never allowed to play guns he later went to a profession that involved it. Even though he did not join because of the guns he joined because he wanted to become a scientist and joining was the only way he would be guaranteed a college education. My question for this part is:
Would you agree or disagree that a lot of people from low income families, specifically minorities, join the army simply because they can receive an education during or after? And do you think it is justified?
For Ana Castillo’s So Far From God there have been various topics that have floated my mind as I have begun to read the first chapter. First when La Loca is thought to be dead it showed the sadness that a mother feels and then how overwhelmed one must feel to only realize their child actually is alive. Secondly, as the story progresses Castillo shows the lives that La Loca’s sisters have had to live and the similarity that the three sisters have are that they try to demonstrate a woman’s life is not function-able without a man. For example, Esperanza had to choose between a man and her career but in reality she was the one supporting the lifestyle rather than both of them working together. Caridad was left when she was pregnant shortly after they had gotten married and she turned to a life that she was with any man and only for sex which one night almost left her for dead. Then Fe’s life seem as if it were perfect until she was given a letter and told that the man she was once with no longer wanted to marry her. As the story progresses from their lives it seems that they have gotten to the positives in their lives and the only thing that truly stands out is their names. Esperanza which means hope and similar to what she does in her life, Caridad is charity and Fe is faith. For this section my questions are:
How do you feel when women are constantly being asked when are they getting married or if they are in a relationship? Or why isn’t their a man in their life?
Hi,
As for your first questioned, I have never put much thought on minorities who join the army much. I do agree that in most Chicana/o families sons or daughters join the army or arm forces. For the most part, minorities join the army for their country or to make their families proud of their service. However, I do believe that minorities may join the army to receive an education from the benefits of being part of the arm forces. For example, one of my cousins after coming back from the army she went to school and received her degree. She was guaranteed education for being part of the arm forces. On the contrast, I really get frustrated when I see people asking women when will we get married or get in a relationship and if they see that you are single for a while people make assumptions. In Chicana/o families it is very common to see people ask that. Personally, I get frustrated and angry when they ask me when why I’m I still single. At the end of the day it is my choice not there’s. I don’t think people should ask women when are they getting married or in a relationship because I do not think they realize the pressure they cause women. As a result, women are pressured to be in relationships because of the expectations that society has for them.
I do think that the military does advertise this american dream to low income families that if you join you’ll have this brotherhood and that you’ll get a free education and come back and be able to get a job. I think it’s really sad because they fail to mention the reality of it, and yea many people do go on to college after the military and get good jobs but they also fail to mention the harshness. I had a friend join and when he came back he was really messed up and never went to college because he became addicted to drugs, he ended up killing himself a few years ago and we all blame it on his choice to join the marines. I wish he would have taken a look into financial aid and scholarship opportunities rather than him joining because he thought it was what was going to help him pay for school. As for the second question, I hated when my family use to ask me why i didn’t have a boyfriend, it was so annoying. Every Time i brought a guy friend home they would try to tell me how i should be dating that person and i would just be like no… When i first started dating my boyfriend everyone would ask us when we were planning on getting married and it was so crazy because we had just started dating. Now that we’ve been together for two years my family always tells us not to get married untill were both graduated and have good jobs and can afford to buy our own house, lol so its nice to see that they finally get it and can get off our backs.
I think what upsets me the most is that young brown males and females think the military is the only way to receive an education without paying—NOT, please people look to financial aid and scholarships, especially if you come from working class families. Now days, there is even the middle class family grant that helps put lower socioeconomic status students through college. The military is not the only way to improve socioeconomic conditions. Just to pick your brain—how many U.S. Congressmen/women send their kids to the military??? For those of you who do not know who Michael Moore is, get to know him—he calls out so many American social issues… Some of his documentaries include Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, The Big One, to name a few.
The whole why aren’t you married yet, is embedded in the culture. These are sociocultural traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation in the Mexican/Chicanao culture. It is expected that women aspire to be a wife and mother-however, we do see a shift where Mexicans/Chicanoas are challenging this idea of marriage, and taking on the family traditions. Some have broke away from this tradition and focused on their education and career-which, is absolutely fine- it is personal choice.
Hello,
I do agree that many low-income families; specifically minorities join the army to receive education. Many of these individuals risk their lives for potential access to a higher education. I think this action is great justified because minority low-income individuals do the impossible to strive for their success. They will pass through a thousand circumstances, and yet that wont make them quit. In regards to your second part, coming from a Latina/o family I am constantly asked when am I getting married. This always makes me feel angry because I first want to finish school, and have a career before I plan on getting married with anybody. I often tell my family members like why do you even care if I have a man or not, as long as I can provide for myself there is no need for a man to be in my life.