This weeks readings where by far my favorite. I love going into “taboo” subjects that tend to appall ignorant people. As a Chicana heterosexual female I tend to wonder into the hardships that the LGBT community goes through. I grew up in a very strict home where being anything else then straight was prohibited. Actually, it was not even supposed to come up. We where not allowed to talk about same sex relationship however, our drunk uncles where allowed to goof around with it and make fun of each other for being “gay.” Since a young age I wondered why people would make fun of people who fell in love with certain people. Growing up Chicano is hard enough then we add being queer makes things all that more difficult. Not only are people rejected by society but they have to fight against their family and their culture. Thankfully, in this day and age we are more open and a bit more accepting. People have raised their voices in the ongoing battle of equality. Even though there are still so many things to fight against like Carla Trujillo mentioned in “Chicana Lesbians: Fear Loathing in the Chicano Community,” there are several things that the Chicano LGBT go through. For example, accepting their sexuality, motherhood, religion and several other things. It isn’t a simple struggle. I found an article called, :LGBT Latino Artists Threatened After San Francisco’s Gay Cholo Chicano Mural Defaced”. It is about a mural that was vandalized only because it showed two cholo/a couples being in love. This obviously threatened the cholos traditional machismo by being showcased in a different position. Being gay in the Chicano community is hard but people ignorance will never make it easy. The article mentioned something that went well with the reading of Carla Trujillo, “It’s hard to be gay and lesbian and still be in this Chicano culture,” says Paul. “But [being transgender] is a new thing that [Chicanos] haven’t even touched on.” We need to start touching on these subjects because they aren’t just conversations it is people lives. Who are we to deny everyone happiness? I recommend to take a second and check it out.

http://www.advocate.com/california/2015/06/18/lgbt-latino-artists-threatened-after-san-franciscos-gay-cholo-chicano-mural-de

After watching the movie La Bamba, I realized that there are many similarities, as well as many connections, between the movie and the readings for this class. There are many prime examples and issues that are expressed throughout the movie. One classic example is that of machismo, which is thoroughly expressed in the poem “Machisimo Is Part of Our Culture” by Marcela Christine Lucero-Trujillo. Richie’s brother, Bob, epitomizes this throughout the entire film. There is also a sense of pride expressed by Richie during the movie. In the film, he expresses his desire to sing the Mexican folk song La Bamba, and use it as his next hit. There is also the example that family is an extremely important part of Chicano culture. This idea is discussed in Chapter 1 of the book, Next of Kin by Richard Rodriguez.

Throughout the film, Richie’s brother, Bob, is a perfect example of an individual who is “macho” and a patriarch. It is implied in the movie through subtle clues that Bob views women as nothing more than objects and sexual conquests. Bob is not sympathetic towards his girl friend (who Richie initially had a crush on and was initially dating). This is even the case when his girl friend, Rosie, gets pregnant. Bob is never home, is usually out drinking, and is verbally and sexually abusive towards Rosie. At one point in the movie, Bob even admits that he almost has to rape her in order for her to have sex with him. This is a prime example of machismo. In the book Next of Kin by Rodriguez, he quotes sociologist Alma M. Garcia’s Chicana Feminist Thought: The Basic Historical Writings as comparing Chicano machismo to a form of sexism. Also included in his quote of her writings is sociologist Garcia attributing the formation of Chicana feminism to machismo, and even referring to machismo as “contributing significantly” to its formation.

When Richie suggests to Del-Fi Record’s owner Bob Keane that he would like to use the Mexican folk song La Bamba as his next song, Bob refuses and is skeptical of how it will be received by the American Rock n Roll fans. Richie is adamant that he wants to sing the song in Spanish, as he is extremely proud of his Mexican heritage, even despite the fact that he does not speak Spanish. In “El Plan De Aztlan”, the essay calls for the people of Aztlan to be conscious and proud of their historical heritage. In El Plan De Aztlan, it is stated that it is imperative that we do this in order to become successful and free ourselves of the “gabacho”.

Lastly, the importance of the family is obvious throughout the movie, La Bamba. Richie expresses many times in the movie his desire to be able to buy his mother a nice, beautiful home. That is his primary and ultimate goal. Another great example of how family is of the utmost importance is how close Richie and Bob are, even despite their differences, arguments, Bob’s jealousy of Richie’s success, and even Bob stealing Rosie from Richie. In the introduction section of the book Next of Kin by Rodriguez, there is a quote from Cherrie Moraga which states “The family is the place where, for better or worse, we learn how to love”. I believe that quote alone describes the ideology of family, especially a Chicano family. Another great quote is in Chapter 1 of the book, which is by Jose Armas, and states “It is impossible to understand the Chicano without understanding the importance of family”. Those two quotes alone speak volumes as to how important family is to Chicanos.

://www.npr.org/2015/10/12/447229966/songs-we-love-brownout-la-raza

In the read Next to Kin, it explains that the Chicano hip-hop and other elements are essential, “socially, politically, and historically,” (Rodriquez 108) giving substance to the music, through its explicit and eye-opening lyrics. Most of the hip hop music was created out of the “impulse of working-class consciousness,” (108) regardless of race and in Kid Frost, “La Raza” illustrates the perspective of the daily lives of someone living in the barrio. Even though the audience of the song is predominately Latino, the black community can also relate to the similarities. There has been an infusion with both Chicano and Afro-America when it comes to hip hop, even though the foundation of hip hop was stemmed from the black community, various elements such as the clothing and lowrider cars came from Chicano culture. 

I came across an article on NPR Latino, “Songs We Love: Brownout, ‘La Raza’,” discussing the 25th anniversary of the song. The evolution of the classic song “Viva Tirado” by El Chicano was sampled by Kid Frost for the iconic, “La Raza” to an Austin-born group Brownout’s “La Raza,” each adding a different element to the song. The commonality of the different versions is that they all discuss issues within their community, Brownout’s song begins with gentrification. Many say that gentrification is the new colonialism and in this song, landlords are seen as “slum lords” by raising the rent incredibly high, in turn, kicking out those who could no longer afford housing. The song talks about our roots, “Latino, Chicano, Mexicano- con sangre de Emiliano, revolucionario,” reminding us of our powerful force in fighting back oppression.A female rapper speaks about the pride in our culture and criticizes the current presidential candidate Donald Trump for his racist slurs about Mexicanos. The song describes the community, “la cause, mi gente, por la raza” of the barrios and the police targeting the young men. It’s nice to see the influence of Kid Frost regenerated 25 years later, illustrating the continuous fight against the oppression that continues currently.

What elements of the song did you connect with?

The article Decoding The Food and Drink On A Day Of The Dead Alter by Karen Castillo Farfan was short but very informative. It is one of those reads that you come across but really enjoy. I liked how it didn’t just talk about what happens on the day of the dead but it also gave some background on its origins and its importance. This celebration dates back all the way to the Aztecs 3000 years ago. Everything is a very important component to the making of an Alter. I didn’t know that everything had a meaning like the sugar skulls being made out of sugar. Or  Also, even though every alter has many material things in common, each one is completely different and special. Even though I am a Chicana I didn’t know much about its history. I have never done an Alter and my mom never grew up with that tradition in Mexico. She is from a small Pueblo in Mexico and she claims that no one ever really celebrated it. Once she migrated here she found out it was such a big event. Is anyone else in the same boat as me? Nonetheless, it is a beautiful tradition that brings people together and it keeps the memory of those who have passed, alive. I know that this is a very important day for many people who still mourn their beloved. I actually go to El Dia De Los Muertos festival in Santa Ana every year and it such a great experience. It is so cool to see the pictures of all these people and come acquainted to their favorite dishes. This tradition is also very rich in culture. What I wonder is how much it has changed since it started 3000 years ago? Do just Mexicans celebrate it or has it spread to to other Spanish speaking countries?

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, Lupe Ontiveros, America Ferrera, 2002, (c) HBO

The movie Real Women have Curves depicts the life of Anna, a bright student, from the  inner city of Los Angeles. The opening scene of the movie depicts Anna wiping down the windows, an example of domestication, falling within the Chicano gender roles. Immediately Anna and her mother clash because her mother would like for Anna to tend to her, yet it’s Anna last day of high school. Anna leaves the house stating “smart women could contribute to the world,” shows her directly challenging the Chicano gender roles, by stating that she too can essential to society.

At school, her English professor reminds Anna about the college applications and she tells him her family can’t afford college and he should not waste his time on her. After school, Anna quits her job and when she arrives home her mother is furious over it. During the confrontation, an unexpected visit from her English professor creates more animosity with the family. The professor expresses his support for Anna’s higher education and automatically her mother says she has a job at the factory the next day. Her father expresses how she needs to contribute and provide for the family. This scene demonstrates Chicano family values of contributing to everyone, including the sacrifices for oneself. When Anna does get accepted to Columbia University, her family sees it as an abandonment of them. She is not only abandoning them physically but financially and emotionally, by her mother reminding her about her abuelito.

A scene between the Anna parents shows her mother complaining about Anna not doing any domestic jobs, calling her lazy for not cleaning or cooking. Illustrates the Chicano gender roles of women obtaining the domestic duties that her mother was upholding her to. What was unique about the scene was the father suggesting that Anna should attend college and learn. Anna’s father was breaking away from the typical Chicano gender roles and instead of portraying a “machismo” attitude, he gave encouragement for Anna’s education. However, her mother rebuttals that she will teach Anna “learn” by showing her how to cook, sew, take care of her kids, and husband. Once again her mother is applying the Chicano gender role to her daughter. Her mother says it is not fair that she was working since 13, where Anna began at 18, and its time for her to work. That statement could be seen as her mother envious of her daughter’s opportunity for education and growth, so she doesn’t approve.

A scene at the clothing factory shows women doing a domestic job, sewing dresses, and not always paid on time. They work in a hot environment, Anna’s job was to steam the dresses, and the only time her mother showed her compassion was when she burned her finger. Her mother tended to the finger, singing a familiar song, “ Sana sana colita de rana,” a song I too have heard growing up.

A connecting theme of the movie was purity, Anna’s mother stressed the importance of a women’s virginity. Anna challenge her mother, “ Why does a women virginity matter? We have thoughts, ideas, a mind of our own,” addressing the typical Chicano gender roles of the women contained within her own position. The movie connects with gender roles were not only displayed in the acting but also in the music. Throughout the film the songs had a message of both the struggles and empowerment of women. The songs Chica Dificil and Luto by Aterciopelados discuss the “issues” men face being with a strong and difficult women, yet it is worth-wild. Finally when Anna loses her virginity, disobeying her mother’s values of purity. Her mother is upset with Anna’s decision, there is “more to me than what’s in between my legs,” says Anna.

At the end of the film, Anna pursued her education in New York. For Anna to show her mother that her education, not her virginity would help define her purpose of life.Anna is an example of resilience, determination, and the constantly pushing of gender roles by not conforming to them.