Anzaldua: Chapter Seven - La conciencia de la mestiza / Towards a New Consciousness

Choose one
Discuss the following statement: “A massive uprooting of dualistic thinking in the individual and collective consciousness is the beginning of a long struggle, but one that could, in our best hopes, brings us to the end of rape, of violence, of war.” What is this “dualistic thinking” that must be uprooted?

OR

Discuss Anzaldúa’s formulation of the “mestiza consciousness.” How might the mestiza consciousness break with our limited cultural perception? How does the new mestiza deal with cultural conflict/clash? Why does she mean by “[t]he new mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions”? Explain.

Anzaldua: Chapter Six - Tlilli, Tlapalli / The Path of Red and Black ink

Discuss Anzaldúa’s view of writing and the artistic creative process. What is the connection between creative expression and personal transformation? How does this relate to her phrase of "I change myself, I change the world'? What is the connection between personal change and social change?

Anzaldua: How to Tame a Wild Tongue

Discuss Anzaldúa’s view of language. How is it that “robbing” a people of their language is violent? How can language, according to Anzaldúa, be a “homeland”? What is the connection between identity and language? Use specific examples from the text to support your claims and warrants.

Anzaldua: The Coatlicue State

 After discussing the image/figure of Coatlicue for the Aztecs (Mexica), discuss the “Coatlicue State” as a state/moment of transformation. What forces a person into this critical moment? How does “Coatlicue,” according to Anzaldúa, help us cope with painful experiences?

Anzaldua: The Serpent

Gloria Anzaldúa claims that western culture “made ‘objects’ of things and people when it distanced itself from them thereby losing ‘touch’ with them. This dichotomy is the root of all violence.” Why would this dichotomy/split became the root of violence? How is the making of people into objects the root of violence? Explain.

Anzaldua: Cultural Tyranny

Chapter Two


Why does Anzaldúa claim that “Not me sold out my people but they me”? How did her people “sold” her? Why does she bring up the story of malinche? Do cultures betray women? Be sure to use textual evidence to support and validate your claims and warrants!

Anzaldua: Home

Chapter One

How does Gloria Anzaldúa conceptualize the borderlands? What are its physical as well as its non-material manifestations? Why does she say that she is a border woman? Explain using textual support to validate your claims and warrants:

Creating Spaces

Maria Gaspar discusses the need for individuals to create spaces to self-validate and make oneself visible. How does this concept relate to your research, more specifically to the novel you are reading? Be sure to make specific connections to Gaspar's speech and the 5 stages to creating this space. Be sure to post before 11:59 pm on 5/15/2014.

Massacre of the Dreamers

This is a two part assignment 1) write your own response answering the question and 2) respond to one of your peers from a different reading of your own. Your responses should be written in clear, concise paragraphs that are purposeful to understanding the complexities of the texts.  Be sure to follow conventional rules for grammar and mechanics.

The "I" in these critical essays by novelist, poet, scholar, and activist/curandera Ana Castillo is that of the Mexic-Amerindian woman living in the United States who attempts to make a whole of the "defragmented self". Castillo introduces the terms Xicanisma/o and conscientizacion in a passionate call for nurturing a politically active, socially committed self, particular for Latinas. 

How do the terms xicanisma/o and/or conscientizacion manifest themselves within the context of your chapter? Follow the formatting provided in class. Use textual support for evidence. 

Each person is responsible for posting ideas presented from his/her assigned chapter and responding to someone from another chapter. Be sure to comment on the appropriate sections.