Thursday, May 22, 2014
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?
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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.
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Throughout Anzalduas writing we have discovered that the identity of Latin@s and as well as non-latin@s are composed of multiple fragments that create duality and multiplicity. Duality as explained by Anzaldua is a “transcendence” and in order to uphold tendency the world community needs to participate in “healing the split” that has arisen between the fragmented people of the world (102). It is then that “dualistic thinking” becomes the ability to acknowledge and respect cultural duality and because it allows people to come together as a true world community, it would put an end to “rape,” “violence,” and “war” and bring about a more communal world(102).
ReplyDeleteI think your response has a good foundation, but is somewhat vague. You have some good points and textual evidence, but I would expand on them a bit further.
DeleteWhen I was reading your response, I saw a lot of good ideas present. However, I feel if you would have stopped your sentences short, and then expanded on some of the ideas you had mentioned, it would have been more impactful. For example, in the second sentence, you could have stopped after mentioning transcendence to add more to that idea, and then later talk about "healing the split".
DeleteGabe, I disagree that dualistic thinking becomes the ability to acknowledge and respect cultural duality, and ultimately brings world peace. If this were the case, then why would Anzaldúa want to have dualistic thinking be uprooted? Rather, I think “healing the split” means overcoming dualistic thinking, and by embracing unity rather than disregarding it (Anzaldúa 102). Dualistic thinking seems to be already the current state of many people, which is why there is violence, rape, and war to begin with.
DeleteI think you are making a valid point but you need to take some more time to expand on your ideas. otherwise this is a good argument of which I agree with, but I also agree with Elizabeth. I think adding a few more points and opinions would have made it a much stronger argument.
DeleteDualistic thinking, or two mindsets existing at the same time, is seen as a source of violence in La Conciencia de la mestiza / Towards a New Consciousness. The dualistic way of thinking must be uprooted. The oppressor and oppressed are the, “common dominator of violence”, and unfortunately, create a “cultural collision” (100). These “two self-consistent but habitually incompatible frames of reference” cannot reach a Coatlicue state unless this dualistic thinking is eradicated. Anzaldúa states, “the dominant white culture is killing us slowly with its ignorance” (108). Although Anzaldúa makes a valid argument, this is the dualistic language that creates a “subjugated people” (108). The ignorance created by this “tolerance of ambiguity” (101) “splits people” and “creates prejudices” (108).
ReplyDeleteI like how you referenced prior topics with the mention of the Coatlicue state and how you discussed the ignorance caused by dualistic thinking. I just wish you had explained a bit more what dualistic thinking actually is.
Deleteexcellent response, you made me not even want to do this question because now I feel like I would not do it justice. I enjoyed your take on the chapter and I think you conveyed her argument very well while synthesizing the material.
DeleteThe Mestiza consciousness is "a consciousness of the Borderlands", as stated by Gloria Anzaldua. A Mestiza has both Indian and Spanish blood, and as such, inherits the aspects of power and oppression that both can give. This sense of consciousness opens the eyes and frees the mind to be able to understand the people around it. However, "patriarchal, white conventions" (Anzaldua 100) have molded the minds of many to attack the beliefs of individuals who try to bring in something new. Different automatically takes on a negative connotation and foreign is perceived as invasive. The close-minded people of the United States make it very difficult for the Mestiza consciousness to thrive. Instead of creating an inferior person, the Mestiza seeks to blend two cultures together and use aspects of both to create a new individual, neither more powerful nor inferior to anyone else. The goal of La Mestiza is equality. An individual who is Mestiza is a walking contradiction because they are of Indian and Spanish blood. They are both the conquistador and the conquered. The tolerance of contradictions is established by the existence of the Mestizas. These individuals have the perspectives of both the Spanish people who sought to enforce their beliefs on all indigenous groups and of the indigenous groups who fought valiantly to preserve their sacred cultures from the grasps of oppression. There is no greater transcendence of borders than of the Mestiza consciousness that accepts all cultures.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you tied everything together from beginning to end.In my opinion it was very strong and i didn't find any flaws. You answered every point and were very clear on what you were trying to say.
DeleteI did enjoy reading your response, the only critique that I would say is that the word equality is to vague. I would argue that the goal of the mestiza is much more than just equality, I would say its goals also deal with formation of a communal environment and as well as cultural consciousness.
DeleteIn chapter seven Anzaldua talks about the mestiza consciousness and it’s interesting nature. It’s no longer just one pure race it is two or three or more races combined tat make up the mestiza. The mestiza allows for a continuous “walk out of one culture and into another, because [the mestiza is] all cultures at the same time” (Anzaldua 99). While this mixture brings about a new perspective it also brings unrest to the mestizas mind. It is always dealing with multiple personalities all at once and puts her “In a constant state of mental nepantilism, an Aztec word meaning torn between two ways” (Anzaldua 100). There are many ways a mestiza may approach her identity but in all she will be seen as an outcast to the other but the mestiza must keep pushing forward and open the eyes of her country and culture. In which she lives in. The mestiza shouldn’t give in into others ideas of what she has to be instead she creates a new person out of her multiple personalities.
ReplyDeleteI like the first quote you use because it is essential in understanding how the mestiza is accepting of all cultures. This response is well done and you use the quotes well to justify your claims. Maybe you could elaborate a bit more on how the mestiza can open the eyes of her country. Other than that, this is well done.
DeleteI agree with Gustavo about the first quote, and I think that you explained a mestiza's multiple personalities very well, but you never really touched on how they have developed a tolerance for contradictions.
DeleteIn chapter seven of Borderlands Anzaldua introduces and discusses the “new” mestiza race, culture and consciousness. She explains that this mestiza consciousness comes from the experience unique to Chicanos of having to live constantly between three different cultures- Mexican, anglo, and indigenous. She notes that “la mestiza is a product of the transfer of the cultural and spiritual values of one group to another” (100). Anzaldua says that the mestiza is somewhat burdened by having to constantly juggle all of these cultures and ideas, but that “the new mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions, a tolerance for ambiguity” (101). What this means is that she learns to develop multiple personalities and multiple worldviews. In having to exam multiple points of view the mestiza develops a new sort of consciousness as she is able to or rather is forced to pick out and eliminate all the flaws in each culture to create a more complete understanding of the world. The mestiza consciousness breaks with our limited cultural perception as it is a complicated and ambiguous state of being in a world that is so used to clear cut divisions, mestizas are the gray in a black and white world. It also goes against the current belief that in mixing we are somehow diluting cultures whereas the mestiza belief is that in mixing we are making all cultures involved more powerful.
ReplyDeleteMelanie i think you did great job defining what the mestiza consciousness is. I found it really interesting how it is created by the mixing of all cultures. I agree with your statement of the world being used to clear cut divisions because sadly that is very true. overall i think your response was effective in answering the question.
DeleteIn chapter seven “La Conciencia de la Mestiza”, Gloria Anzaldúa writes of how accepting the contradictions that make up who Chicanos are will enable them to develop a mestiza consciousness, successfully creating an identity that all Chicanos can associate themselves with and feel empowered by. In the United States, many cultural perceptions and paradigms exist that attempt to sort people into simple categories, like the black-white paradigm which places blacks and whites on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, when Latinos cannot fit into either category, a sense of inferiority and even “psychic restlessness” comes about as a result of their “dual or multiple personality” (Anzaldúa 100). The mestiza consciousness disregards such ideas and calls for “a tolerance for ambiguity” to be developed where Latinos can have a “plural personality” (Anzaldúa 101). This way, “nothing is thrust out”, “rejected”, or “abandoned”, and the new mestiza is empowered when she is finally able to acknowledge her identity in its entirety. This transcendence of borders means that Latinos have evolved to gain a greater perspective on issues, characteristic of the “cosmic race” Jose Vasconcelos described, that will enable them to experience a higher level thinking leading to success in the future.
ReplyDeleteToo often, individuals create divisions amongst themselves and other groups of people. They have a dualistic thinking that separates themselves and creates divisions, creating a “subject-object duality” that causes the thinker to distinguish the in-group from the out-group (Anzaldúa 102). Anzaldúa encourages people to abandon this dualistic thinking, ultimately encouraging unity within the entire human race. However, she brings up the fact that creating this unity would be a “long struggle”, as divisions can be found “in the very foundation of our lives” and would be difficult to get rid of (Anzaldúa 102). For example, many people feel a need to belong, and would not want to give up that sense of inclusiveness that comes with being placed in one group against another. In order to even begin to get rid of our dualistic thinking, we must relate to one another as ourselves in terms of our collective consciousness, which includes the need for us to “know the history of their struggle” and vice-versa (Anzaldúa 108). This will allow us to “meet on a broader communal ground” and leave our divisions of race or gender behind (Anzaldúa 109). Only until this is accomplished will we all be able to come together for the common good as members of the human race, rather than constantly competing and conflicting with each other.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth I enjoyed your last statement regarding leaving behind divisions and differences in order for people to come together as members of the human race and not conflicting with one another. Hopefully the struggle that unity presents will create a better tomorrow.
DeleteMestiza consciousness doesnt ignore the splits that we create and perpetuate daily, but takes inventory and then works proactively to heal the splits between genders, cultures, and sexualities that we have created. The mestiza consciousness creates "a new value system with images and symbols to connect us to each other" (103) instead of promoting the dualistic thinking that allows the labeling of people as others. Acknowledging the splits and contradictions within ourselves allows for the constructing and deconstructing of identity in order to reconcile our inner beings with our environment, ourselves, and others. This reconciliation then promotes plurality and the mestiza consciousness.
ReplyDeleteYour response is very clear and concise and I agree with the argument you presented. You incorporated the quote from the text very well however I think your last sentence could have been stronger.
DeleteIn "La conciencia de la mestiza", Anzaldua presents that the mestiza consciousness is "designed for preservation under a variety of conditions" (103). This is how the mestiza "copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions", she allows for herself to remain under control, and learns to understand the contradictions against her without losing her temper. When dealing with cultural conflict the mestiza is a "creature that questions the definitions of light and dark and gives them new meanings" (103). In the mestiza's mind there is no room to completely believing in one thing or the other, but ultimately believes in creating something new of everything. The only way the mestiza consciousness will break with our limited cultural perception is by not being allowed to make and mold new ideas in a sense that allow for her to stand out and “reinterpret history…using new symbols…adopt new perspectives towards the dark skinned, women and queers” (104).
ReplyDeleteYou established context for your quotes really well and flowed between them and your explanations really well as well. You also had really interesting interpretations of the mestiza consciousness, but i feel you could have taken your idea even further, discussing the modern mestiza.
DeleteIn chapter 7 La conciencia de la mestiza, Anzaldua describes the dualistic thinking of a mestizo, which is made up of the acceptance of being the oppressed while at the same time challenging the oppressor. As seen in previous chapters violence is found where the nature of the Chicano is taken away such as their language and their value as human beings. In order for this violence to stop, the mestiza must take a stand and “break down the subject-object duality that keeps her prisoner” (Anzaldua 102). The split between cultures, men and women, and white and colored must heal to get rid of the ignorance that is present in the western culture. Anzaldua mentions “el dia de la chicana” which is a day where they look at the “positive and negative…free of the tainted biases and male dominance.” (Anzaldua 109) Dualistic thinking comes into play when the mestizo learns to balance self-validation with the mission of moving forward and being valued not just by herself but by western culture.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldúa, she describes mestiza consciousness as a "third element" the self has added "that keeps breaking down the unitary aspect of…new paradigm[s]" (Anzaldúa 101-102). The new mestiza is caught between the ideologies of two clashing cultures and is confronted with being both the oppressor and the oppressed, resulting in major ambivalence. It is the "painful, emotional event [of mestiza consciousness] which inverts or resolves the ambivalence…subconsciously" (Anzaldúa 101), and this is how the new mestiza deals with cultural conflicts. Through dealing with the opposing cultures within her, the mestiza has built up a tolerance and "learns to be an Indian in Mexican culture, to be Mexican from an Anglo point of view. She learns to juggle cultures…[and] turns the ambivalence into something else" (Anzaldúa 101), for she will no longer "stand on the opposite river bank, shouting questions, challenging patriarchal, white conventions..[and will not be] reduced to a common denominator of violence" (Anzaldúa 100).
ReplyDeleteI like how you presented the two main conflicts that the new mestiza has to deal with, being both the oppressor and the oppressed. How is she the oppressor though? I agree that through this struggle she has built tolerance and i guess that's how she will become the oppressor.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your response and liked your fluid incorporation of quotes. However I found it a tad repetitive and agree with the previous comment on how exactly is la mestiza an oppressor? Is she oppressing her people in that she does not act against the mutual oppression they undergo?
DeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands, Anzaldúa discusses the Mestiza consiousness as a pathway to end rape, violence, and war. She defines it as an uprooting of the dualistic thinking of the mestizo. This dualistic thinking is a black and white mentality that mestizos use to cope with the two sides of their heritage. It is a way of dealing with being both the conqueror and conquered, anglosized in white america and being brown, male and female. "The answer to the problem...lies in healing the split that originates in the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our language, our thoughts" (Anzaldua 102). Anzaldua is stressing that the mestizo must transcend the border that lies within themselves. Dualistic thinking is the kind that creates borders both physical and non-physical.
ReplyDeleteI like your response but wish you'd expanded a little bit and talked about how "Dualistic thinking is the kind that creates borders both physical and non-physical" a little more
DeleteI liked your reply, but it would be good to see you elaborate more about dualistic thinking more in terms of gender and sexuality (as Anzaldua acknowledges the transcendence of her identity in her role as a women, lesbian and mestiza.)
DeleteI think your ideas are well supported, well explained, and relate to the text, Nicho. I don't see how this could flow any better or be more accurate. good job
DeleteThe dualistic thinking that Anzaldua mentions is the idea of the separation of this and the that, where there exists two sides that are distinct and the in between or the border of them remains ambiguous. The idea of a cosmic race as presented by Jose Vasconcelos works in sharp contrast to this idea where the crossing over of sides exists with the intent to create "inclusivity"(99) rather than exclusivity. When thinking creates paradigms and separation, then the difference between two sides becomes exploited and looked at through a very negative lens. This proves to be problematic within society because it does not leave the option to consider hybrid within systems of thinking and stays rooted within the split of cultures, not focused on progression. Anzaldua believes that through the breaking down of dualistic thinking and implementing a more unified and inclusive manner of behavior and thinking, society will be able to advance and progress beyond the rape, violence, and war.
ReplyDeleteClear and concise. I agree completely with your response, the dualistic thinking and separation is the cause for all the negativity that comes.
DeleteThe dualistic thinking that must be uprooted is the paradigm of modern American culture. This thinking is what says that there is one thing or the other; black or white, gay or straight, wrong or right, with us or against us. At its base it's the belief that things don't occur in a spectrum. Those that do not choose to fall on either side or feel that they sit in the middle or lay at any point on the spectrum other than the ends are not recognized. Though, there is a battle going on between the two ends of the spectrum, those that are not on one side of the fight must fight for the basic validation of humanity. They are not people because they do not fall into the categories that we accept as people. But, giving the "tweeners" this basic recognition does not end the stand off, it will still be a fight but with many more sides. It is only the beginning because there will then be a struggle to end the battle between sides whether two sides or twenty sides there will not be a resolution to this issue if there's this abstract stand off of people.
ReplyDeleteEthan,
DeleteI like your statement, "with us, or against us", and found your perspective on the spectrum interesting. However, I think your argument would have been stronger if you had textual support.
Dualistic thinking is when there is a separation, a "this" and a "that", a "good" and a "bad". In chapter seven, "La conciencie de la mestiza" , Anzaldua argues that, "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” (Anzaldua 102). A dualistic mentality has been instilled greatly in American culture. This has then created a separation within the people. Anzalda promotes unity within the human race and an end to this dualistic thinking. Anzaldua argues that, "The answer to the problem between the white race and the colored, between the males and females, lies in healing the split that originates in the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts" (Anzaldua 102). Anzaldua makes it clear that the separation of groups are the cause for most problems in America. When separating and dividing a group there is a negative implication in which insinuates any type of violence. The way dualistic thinking exploits certain groups and divides them from others is what ultimately leads to rape, violence, and war. This massive uprooting of dualistic thinking requires a grand unity within the people.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very dramatic point of view. Isn't it interesting how she puts it? If people can learn to understand one another, then the world would cease to have problems.
DeleteIn chapter seven Anzaldua the idea of dualistic thinking as a way to differentiate between two distinct sides, the left from right, this from that, positive and negative. It is a type of mestiza mindset to be a part of their multiple cultures however it takes away the gray area, leaving just the black and white. José Vasconcelos defined a new race, the cosmic race (la raza cósmica), one of "inclusivity," in which the "confluence of two or more genetic streams, with chromosomes constantly 'crossing over,' this mixture of races, rather than resulting in an inferior being" (Anzaldua 99). Dualistic thinking separates the two distinct sides instead of mixing them to create a hybrid train of thought which is why it must be uprooted. Anzaldua suggests that in order to uproot this dualistic way of thinking to stop rape, violence, and war their must be a healing of "the split that originates in the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts" to produce the unity necessary to create the gray area that has yet to be created (Anzaldua 102).
ReplyDeleteGreat opening sentence. Short response, yet concise. I like the way you that you not only stated the issue with dualistic thinking, but also included Anzaldúa's theory of how to uproot it.
DeleteI forgot the word *presents* in the first sentence.
DeleteAnzaldúa discusses the concept of dualistic thinking, that is, the idea that people are either one or the other—a man or a woman, a white person or a person of color, Mexican or American. She states that dualistic thinking is “the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts,” (102) and that the dualistic thinking does not mean people may have dual identities; it means that people are placed inside a rigid box that is their “identity.” Because this “identity” is so flawed and false, people never truly get to know each other because they cannot understand that those around them are not just “one or the other,” but something in between. This lack of understanding causes confusion and anger from all parties involved. “A massive uprooting of dualistic thinking” could lead to “the end of rape, of violence, [and] of war,” (102) because people could truly understand each other and all their complexities, stop pretending to know the struggles of the other person, and start overcoming their ignorance of the other person.
ReplyDeleteSetting one’s mind set into dualistic thinking means having two minds which are always in opposition to each other but are unable to exist alone. While both minds are blind on their own when settled together they become self-aware and make their own reality. In this case the dualistic thinking that has to be destroyed in order for the brain to take the concepts of collective consciousness. A set mind that is only able see things “black or white” is unable “change in the way we perceive reality” (Anzaldua 102). It all depends on how the individuals sees the circumstances for instances, the raw information obtained from Coatlicue. Consciousness “lies in healing the split” (Anzaldua 102). In order for that wound to heal from all the violence, rape and war they must realize that they are not two “mind-sets” it’s one who involves everyone. It’s not just “we” and “them”, through that reopened wound they have become an “us”.
ReplyDeleteYour concept of dualistic thinking is incredibly interesting and sets a need for both cultures for a person to truly have an identity. The context that you set up using the quotes to support your idea sets up the rest of your analysis perfectly. Well written response also using the Coatlicue to further your point, good job.
DeleteI agree with Andres, your idea of dualistic thinking is very interesting. I like when you point out that a "set mind [that] is only able to see things in 'black and white' is unable to 'change in the way we percieve reality" because in reality we live in a world full of gray areas.
DeleteEl choque de un alma atrapado entre el mundo del espiritu y el mundo de la tecnica a veces la deja entullada(100) When a soul lives between the world of spirits and the technical one it is often stifled .If you live in a world where the black and white paradigm and you can not seem to identify with either than it becomes an issue where one feels inferior to the rest.The brown people that live in the spectrum are often found in the middle of this issue. This is what Jose Vasconcelos was trying to eliminate as he developed the theory of the fifth race On that as the combination of four races "this mixture of races, rather than resulting in inferior being ,provides hybrid progeny(99). Gloria Anzaldua in chapter 7 through a development of “mestiza consciousness.” the person acknowledge and respect the mixture with in liberates the stifled spirit as it heals the the wound created by trying to separate one self to fit in the paradigm.
ReplyDeleteI like your response because you distinguish the effects of having a mestiza consciousnesses and not having one. And it's true that living in an environment of border cultures can create a sense of inferiority.
DeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua, Anzaldua presents the concept of Mestiza Consciousness which is a similar concept to that of Vasconcelos and his cosmic race. According to Anzaldua the future of the world is mestizaje and not racial purity. Since there are more interracial marriages, it is inevitable to have a mestiz@ race. For this reason, a mestiza consciousness is needed. According to Anzaldua this consciousness should be a flexible one “because the future depends on the breaking down of paradigms, it depends on the straddling of two or more cultures” (Anzaldua 102). This consciousness should be flexible enough to adapt to the contradictions imposed by the environment because the only way to eliminate the prejudices is to get to know each other. According to Anzaldua once the races know each others’ struggle, a third race will be formed: a hybrid/mestiza one. This race will be able to distinguish between the good and the bad from the past cultures; therefore only embracing the good from each culture to ultimately create a cosmic race. However, all this will not be possible unless everyone becomes aware that this level of consciousness is possible because “nothing happens in the real world unless it first happens in the images in our heads” (Anzaldua 109).
ReplyDeleteDiscuss 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?
ReplyDeleteThe duality of thought referenced by Gloria Anzaldua does not have a specific subject. It reaches an extensive amount of subjects, but ultimately relates to one idea. Dualistic thinking is to think in binary terms. To think that there are only two entities, both opposites of each other. The way that Dualistic thinking is presented in Borderlands/La Frontera is through the two opposites of Mexican culture and Anglo American culture. Both of these entities were oppressing Anzaldua, causing her to establish a personal borderland. She lives on the fence inbetween these two opposites. She uprooted Dualistic thinking and created a third opposite through the Coatlicue state. This idea that there can be a third opposite is a revolutionary idea with the power to solve an infinite number of problems such as rape, violence, and war. The progression into the future of human society is going to be based around the uprooting of dualistic thinking. Anzaldua has put into words the key to everlasting human progress.
what is this ideal, or the way of thinking that is the third option? Its cind of vauge. How you present it makes it clear that it exsist buy hoew dose it function and be bettert then dulistic thinking? is it the melding of ideals or is it something complety differnt?
Delete"Dualistic thinking" is the ability to hold both cultures and express their opinions from one identity. Coming from two cultures creates this duality that confuses the person which limits the person, and having the ability for dualistic thinking allows the person to rightfully express their life. The massive uprooting of dualistic thinking will come from the eventual need for people with two cultures to express their opinions to fix the problems of tomorrow. Without dualistic thinking this "locks one into a duel of oppressor and oppressed" signaling that people will take advantage of one another until people can rightfully think for themselves and use their experience from both cultures to resist the eventual oppression (Anzaldúa 100). Having the capability of dualistic thinking allows a person to "refute the dominant culture's views and beliefs" and be "proudly defiant" for denying the oppression of one culture to a person and embracing their own (Anzaldúa 100).
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua write about how as a feminist, mestiza and lesbian, her identity is transcendent. 'As a mestiza I have no country..yet all countries are mine...as a lesbian i have no race...but i am all races...i am cultureless [because im feminist]...yet i am cultured" (Anzaldua 102-103). She does not fall within a clean cut box or definition, but transforms and encompasses many things. Dualistic thinking is thinking that there are only two paths: masculine or feminine, Mexican or American, etc. Dualistic thinking is the root of thinks such as sexism and racism, as it creates dividers between social groups and applies rules and regulations. Things like race are social constructs, and viewing them as more than such is harmful because when you think another race (or whatever else you apply here) is different from you, you're enabling stereotypes and oppression. When humanity stops trying to categorize everything and everyone, things like war, violence and rape should end. They would end because there wouldn't be hatred bred by things like sexism or racism.
ReplyDeleteGood incorporation of the quote, I love that quote. I think you should specify what other things like race are social constructs. Leaving it too open could include language which Anzaldua would harshly disagree with.
DeleteNew mestizas are face identity crises because there's a new trend in 1st generation immigrants where they don't want to be associated with México. It's important to have a "mestiza consciousness" because you can live in the hybridity of two cultures. Saldivar introduced the term to us, "living within the hyphen" of Mexican-American. It means to live as if you live on the border and not above nor below it. Those who are mestiza conscious can “walk out of one culture and into another” (Anzaldúa 99); they are "all cultures at the same time." It is a skill that everyone should develop if they are of two cultures.
ReplyDeleteI like how you discussed the duality of the border living individual and how mestizas are examples of two culture coexisting in a single being.
DeleteYou have some good ideas. This could use a little more textual support. Overall nice job, though.
DeleteRamon Herrera
ReplyDeleteIn chapter seven “La Conciencia de la Mestiza”, Gloria Anzaldúa writes of how accepting the contradictions that make up Chicanos will enable them to develop a mestiza consciousness. Mestiza consciousness doesnt ignore the borders that we create, but takes takes them in and then works proactively to heal the splits between genders, cultures, and sexualities that we have created. The mestiza consciousness creates "a new value system with images and symbols to connect us to each other" (Anzaldua 103). However, when Latinos cannot fit into either category, a sense of inferiority and even “psychic restlessness” comes about as a result of their “dual or multiple personality” (Anzaldúa 100). Acknowledging the splits and contradictions within ourselves allows for the constructing and deconstructing of identity. The Mestiza consciousness calls for “a tolerance for ambiguity” to be developed where Latinos can have a “plural personality” (Anzaldúa 101).
your response was very clear and well supported. i agree with you in that the mestiza allows all aspects of contradictions to be considered in order to form a "plural personality". Nice job
DeleteDualistic thinking is what creates racial and sexual divides amoung people. People are forced into choosing American or Latino, poverty or assimalation, masculine or feminine. This system of fourcing people to pick a side creates a superior and inferior leaving the inferior with no chance of moving up. Anzaldua says she experiences the struggle of this system because of her femininity and sexuality. She felt that she was exiled from her culture because she challenged and went against the social norm. She believes that without this system in place it will create equality amoung everyone "ending the rape, war, and violence."
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how besides race, you brought in sexual divides . Although I did not answer this question, I believe that your answer provides me with a good idea of what my own answer would be like and is a good answer to the question presented. I would have been more convinced if you were to have used some sort of textual support however. Overall, good job answering the question, it was informative and to the point.
DeleteAnzaldua argues that acknowledging the gray area between the binary two (i.e., black and white, male and female, gay and straight) has the potential to "bring us to the end of rape, of violence, of war..." (Anzaldua 102). While this binary manifests in many forms, it essentially boils down to the age old us versus them dichotomy that is at the heart of all conflict. As Anzaldua writes, "...the future depends on the breaking down of paradigms...The answer to the problem ...lies in healing the split that originates in the very foundation of our lives..." (Anzaldua 102). In order to resolve any conflict, this idea must be overcome as it pertains to said conflict. In order to resolve all conflict, this idea most be overcome on a universal scale.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you phrased your response, it was concise and answered the prompt effectively. I agree that in order to resolve all conflict that this idea would need to be overcome on a universal scale. I wonder if it is a feasible idea? I would like to think it is.
DeleteDualistic thinking is "the coming together of two self-consistent but habitually incompatible frames of reference [which] causes un choque, a cultural collision" (Anzaldua 100) The dual thinking that must be uprooted is the ideology of the oppressor and the oppressed. Anzaldua says that one must stop seeing themselves as they oppressed in order to be empowered. She says, " the split between to mortal combatants somehow healed so we are both shores at once and at once, see through the serpent and the eagles eyes." (anzaldua 100-101). Ending this way of thinking will reconstruct a society and restore the esteem that what lost due to years of oppression caused by Anglo society.
ReplyDeleteOnce again your response is short yet incredibly poignant. Context is implied briefly with the oppressor vs oppressed paradigm as well as significance of thisrelationship. Anzaldua's remedy of Mestiza consciousness is well understood too. Great job.
DeleteI completely agree with the previous comment. Your response is well written and gets to the point. I really enjoyed the fact that you mentioned that one must stop seeing themselves as the oppressed in order to be empowered.
DeleteShavondra,
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your response. As stated before your response is short, and to the point. You wasted no space on needless words, and approached the prompt head on. I think your thoughts are explained very well. Nice to read a response that differs from my own thinking.
As discussed in previous blog posts the dichotomy between oppressor and oppressed is the root of all violence. The world is split everywhere by borders, physical and otherwise. Any border of any kind creates an 'us versus them' mentality because it is blocking a connection between to groups. This is dualistic thinking that needs to be eliminated. It is how humans think in terms of borders, how people see the 'we' and the 'they' as separate entities with a border in between. There is always a stance and a counterstance, "A counterstance locks one into a duel of oppressor and oppressed; locked in mortal combat" (Anzaldua 100) , and while this can create an effect of change for the oppressed in the end "it is not a way of life" (100) because "All reaction is limited by, and dependent on what it is reacting against" (100). This means that truly the only way to heal is to stop fighting because "At some point, on our way to a new counciousness, we will have to leave the opposite bank, the split between the two mortal combatants somehow healed so that we are on both shores at once, and, at once, see through the serpent and eagle eyes" (100-101)
ReplyDeleteI liked your response, I would just say it could use some clarity from time to time, but overall good response!
DeleteThe “mestiza consciousness” that Anzaldua speaks about in chapter 7 is a combination of the multiple things that make up a mestiza. This is inferred as Anzaldua explicitly states that the mestiza is “all cultures at the same time” (Anzaldua 99). The idea that the mestiza is all cultures at a time breaks our limited cultural perception as we live in a binary society where either you are white, or you not. The idea that the mestiza is able to be multiple forms at once creates a whole new idea about culturalism multiple subgroups are created (Latina, Indian, Spanish) and deconstructs their identities to combine them into one. By doing this she rids herself of the cultural conflicts that the different races may have as she becomes one of all races. Despite being a walking contradiction by being Indian and Spanish, she creates a sort of equality among the races as as a part of her none are more supreme and all of them are equal. This is what she means as well by the mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions, she herself is a contradiction and by embracing all of the different and conflicting parts.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i did not answer this question/prompt this gave me a good idea of what it meant. You answered this well enough to understand what the question meant.
DeleteI like how you talked about how in society you are stuck in a binary consisting of "white" and "other." I also enjoyed how you described how even though she is a "walking contradiction" she creates something greater than all of its parts. Good response!
DeleteAnzaldua speaks of Mestiza consciousness as a means to heal the wounds established by the Borderlands. This consciousness is all inclusive, not split in the paradigms of the Western World. The Mestiza embodies all races, as a "cosmic fifth race" which, "embraces the four major races of the world" (99). This dualistic thinking can best be described as, " a counter-stance" between two shores where, " all reaction is limited by, and dependent on, what is is reacting against" (100). This struggle is witness in all relationships of oppressor vs. oppressed: male vs. female, white vs. colored. This mindset leads to eternal division and again subjugates the Mestizaje to the Borderlands as there is no compromise in the space between combatants. Instead Mestiza consciousness employs," a third element which is greater than the sum of its severed parts"( 102) to heal the individual. By replacing the " dualistic thinking" (102) that leads to the isolation of hybrid peoples, with Mestiza consciousness, the constant battle for power in racial and gender politics could cease and its consequences of rape, violence and war with it.
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis of the dual perspectives. I also like how you compared the "struggle" to mutiple this verse that examples.
DeleteI like how you mentioned the idea of transcending both racial binaries and dualities to reach the concept of the Mestiza and creating a new third element.
DeleteThe "mestiza consciousness" is a person's psyche that allows them to walk between cultures while being all of them at once. Anzaldúa states,"...la mestiza undergoes a struggle of flesh, a struggle of borders, an inner war."(Anzaldúa 100) Our limited cultural perception causes us to believe in the views that our culture perceives. Having a mestiza consciousness breaks that. They have more than one cultural perceptiona trying to form into and go against each other at once. The mestiza uses those cultural conflicts as a form of liberation. She does not choose either side of the border but rather breaks it down to create a new territory. Anzaldúa says “[t]he new mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions”(Anzaldúa 101). The mestiza moves from culture to culture, having different perspectives from each side. She will not agree with contradictions because if so does she would be contradicting her Self. Therefore losing a piece of her multiple identities.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you said "The mestiza uses those cultural conflicts as a form of liberation. She does not choose either side of the border but rather breaks it down to create a new territory." That is a useful way to describe the mestiza because she does create a "new"
DeleteGood job Paige. I am curious to know what exactly do you mean regarding the multiple identities. Do you think being part of two cultures creates the multiple identities or the two cultures help create one?
DeleteOhhh thats a good one Sonia. I would say that as a mestiza you have multiple identies because of the multiple cultures but I also agree wirh that two cultures help create one strongly.
DeleteFabian Ramos
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin American Literature- 4th Period
May 26, 2014
In the seventh chapter of “Borderlands/ La Frontera”, author Gloria Anzaldúa presents the “mestiza consciousness” as the female consciousness of the Borderlands. The mestiza race itself derives from the cosmic race, a fifth race envisaged by José Vasconcelos as inclusive of the other four major races of the world. Existing as a living mezcla, the Mestiza is the product of the transfer of “cultural and spiritual values from one group to another” (Anzaldúa 100). In being born from contradiction, the Mestiza had to first confront and silence the warring “multiple personalities” of herself in order to achieve a complete consciousness. When faced with cultural conflict, the New Mestiza settles it in the same manner she settles her cultural nepantilism, by “developing a tolerance for contradiction” and simply existing pluralistically as both opposing fronts (Anzaldúa 101). Being the child of cultural and sexual contradiction, the New Mestiza and Mestiza consciousness can only be impeded upon by the “racial purity” and male domination of American practices (Anzaldúa 99).
Great job in describing the New Mestiza as a warrior whose purpose is to end the ideology of racial purity. She is the response to culture clash. You developed your quotes well and were on topic.
DeleteYou did a great job in defining mestiza and the contradictions surrounding it. Your quotes are well placed and i think you analyzed the text perfectly.
DeleteDualistic thinking creates a divide between people and what their beliefs are. By choosing a belief or siding with an idea, forces go head to head which creates an even larger divide. In Anzaldua's case she was divided against her people because she did not side with their beliefs or ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think this response needs more elaboration on your points. It is a little hard to understand as the shifts to sentences are not smoothe and kina unconnected. However, i think the points you did talk about were pretty clear...
DeleteGloria, I like where this is going but I also believe you could've elaborated. Textual support for Anzaldua's situation could have make you point stronger. Also, you talk about how the split occurs but about how to heal it. What is dualistic thinking?
DeleteI agree with Lucy, I feel as though you were on the right track but failed to provide any evidence to support your ideas.
DeleteLa mestiza" is a product of the transfer of the cultural and spiritual values of one group to another"(100). La mestiza therefore has a "dual...personality", becoming a borderlander, having "no country". Because of the lack of self-validation and belonging to a country, La mestiza is forced to "cope by developing a tolerance for contradictions"(101). In saying this Anzaldua, illustrate la mestiza's ability to alter her identity based one the perciever. "An Indian in Mexican culture, a Mexican from the Anglo point of view"(101).The "Mestiza consciousness" though "a source of intense pain" allows for the healing and redefinition of identity within the Latino culture. Merstiza consciousness "uproot dualistic thinking"(102) and allows for the first step towards a self identity.
ReplyDeleteI really like your answer and explanation. It was concise and your textual evidence supported your claim well.
DeleteIn response to the first question, in chapter seven of Borderlands Anzaldua discusses dualistic thinking as the way to end attacks of rape, violence, and war against women, people of color, and queers. Mentioned in chapter three, "we've been taught that the spirit is outside our bodies or above our heads somewhere up in the sky with God"(58) so people claim to be following the word of God when they oppress queers, women who aren't like La Virgen, and dark skinned people who aren't seen as pure. There is a lack of dualistic thinking. Dualistic thinking involves people acknowledging their internal spirits and its potential to bring positivity in the world by seeing through the eye of others' inner spirits too. "A massive uprooting of dualistic thinking" is nothing to be accomplished with ease, but "the answer to the problem between the white race and the colored, between makes and females, lies in healing the split that originates the very foundation of our lives, or culture, our languages, our thoughts" (102). The split comes from the different spirits that founded different cultures; people do not realize that their inner spirit now is valuable and is setting the foundation for generations to come. "The first step is to unlearn the puta/virgen dichotomy and to see Coatlalopeuh-Coatlicue in the Mother, Guadalupe" (106). In this way, people can begin to embrace the life and death in all humans, by acknowledging the spirit of life and death (Coatlalopeuh-Coatlicue) that Guadalupe comes from. This would help support "la raza cosminca, a fifth race embracing the four major races of the world" regardless of the spiritual foundation individuals grew up with because they all stem from the same thing and each person creates their own foundation. To heal the split and "bring us to the end of rape, of violence, of war" (102) "our mothers, our sister and brothers, the guys who hang out on the corner, the children in the playgrounds, each of us must know out Indian lineage, our afro-mestizaje, our history of resistance" (108). "We need to know the history of their struggle and they need to know ours" (108).
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter Seven, La Conciencia de la Mestiza, Anzaldua presents the dualistic thinking of a mestiza. The Mestiza lives in a world that consists of a split between cultures and gender and works to create her own sense of reality by accepting both worlds and molding them to reflect her. The Mestiza conciencia “questions the definitions light and dark and gives them new meanings” (Alzandua 103). This way of thinking is all about catering to one’s self in order to create a consciousness that will promote growth and mobility for the Mestiza. Double consciousness allows the Mestiza to find self-validation in all aspects of her existence even when her two worlds are constantly contradicting each other.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your response because it flows so well and is very to the point. Her two world contradiction become one identity for her. I really liked the quote you use and how it creates a consciousness of the mestiza.
DeleteI agree with above you made it very simple and easy to understand yet created insight to go along with it. I see a lot of double consciousness in these responses but not in her book I wonder why?
DeleteIn Chapter Seven:La Conciencia de la Mestiza/ Towards a New Consciousness, Gloria Anzaldua presents and explains Vasconcelos' theory of the new cosmic race. Because "a mestize, walking out of one culture and into another... [is] in all cultures at the same time" ( Anzaldua 99), Anzaldua argues that the new mestiza must tolerant of all contradictions. Our secular way of thinking when it comes to cultures leads to many attacks from one to the other, therefor the mestiza must be able to either cope of walk away. Cultures see themselves as mutually exclusive; a person cannot be a part of both at the same time. That is why Anzaldua says, " I will not be shamed again; nor will a shame myself" (Anzaldua 109) because races can be racist.
ReplyDeleteYour points are intriguing. Though I had similar thoughts, the connections are well established. Though I would have liked an explanation to how the connection of cultures seeing themselves as 'exclusive' tied back to the first quote. Other than that, a good brief response.
DeleteIn “La conciencia de la mestiza”, Anzaldua begins by constructing the mestiza identity as someone who “continually walk out of one culture/ and into another,/because I am in all cultures at the same time,” (Anzaldua 99). The new mestiza is more than just a mixture of cultures and becomes larger then what the culture perceives, a mestiza “learns to be Indian in Mexican culture, to be Mexican from an Anglo point of view” (Anzaldua 101). “She learns to juggle culture”, she keeps her culture at hand and becomes accepted by the Anglo and the Indian. She embodies contradictions by being opposites while being both at the same time. She becomes her own culture, like Anzaldua says in chapter five that a person’s language is their identity and there is no choice that has to be made but a creation of one’s own is what one becomes.
ReplyDeleteYessenia I like your response and the way you describe the new mestiza as a mixture of cultures but also as one who "embodies contradictions" I also liked the link you made between the new mestiza and the language and identity from chapter 5
DeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands, Anzaldua explores the new “Mestiza Consciousness”. The Mestiza Conscience is formed by stacking different cultures that are usually repudiated by each other, but this stacking causes a “cultural collision” (Anzaldua 100). The culture collision is cause by the differences in culture, politics and other aspects of life, and these differences leads to the exploitation of one by the perceived higher power. The realization of the mestiza can create a new conscience that strays away from the black and white paradigm. Being use to only 2 sides, the “tricultural, monolingual, bilingual” Mestiza will cause an upheaval of westernized values. Without much consideration and tolerance the new “Mestiza conscience” can also cause an upheaval within the community. The contradicting elements that makes up the new conscience can not be “thrust out, the good the bad the ugly, noting rejected, nothing abandoned” (Anzaldua 101). Without the acceptance of the Anglo, Spanish, and Indian blood that make up the background of the Mestiza, the term as a new mindset different from that of the dominant or indigenous, will constantly be renounced.
ReplyDeleteYour last statement was your strongest point for your response. You presented a solution using the text which is good.
DeleteIn Chapter 7 of "Borderlands" by Gloria Anzaldua, Anzaldua presents the idea of "mestiza consciousness." This is the idea that the mestiza is able to create a new consciousness by breaking down each of the paradigms she faces. Anzaldua writes, "I am cultureless because... I challenge the collective cultural/religious male-derived beliefs... yet I am cultured because I am participating in the creation of yet another culture" (Anzaldua 103). This is representative of how Anzaldua, as a mestiza, faces contradictions. She is shunned from her own culture because of her womanhood but at the same time creates her own because of her mestizaje. The new mestiza will not deal with this cultural clash and instead demands that the patriarchal force that perpetuates the clash must treat woman, and specifically mestizas, as equals.
ReplyDeleteIn current days, we perceive most issues in the world as binaries, good or bad, this or that. However, the concept of the mestiza consciousness breaks away from this view, "...nothing is thrust out, the good, the bad and the ugly, nothing rejected, nothing abandoned,"(Anzaldua 101)suggesting that we can now look at the society in terms of connections and even beyond dualities, a new identity altogether. "She learns to be an Indian in Mexican culture, to be Mexican from an Anglo point of view,"(Anzaldua 101) the new mestiza is flexible and is able to switch her views to whatever culture or society she is confronted with in order to deal with the multiple opposing views between the cultures she has accepted.
ReplyDeleteJuan, your response was very clear and concise. Your textual support flowed well with your analysis. I also thought you did a good job at explaining how the mestiza consciousness can create a more holistic view of the world. Good job.
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ReplyDeleteAnzaldua's 'Toward a New Consciousness' depicts the mestiza consciousness as something that is adaptive and not a rigid theory. In totality, the mestiza must remain flexible in order to 'shift out of habitual formations' (Anzaldua 101). The mestiza can break away from the limited cultural perception because it is not rigid. Our current cultural perception is extremely rigid and conservative that it cannot change to which the mestiza can as it is in a constant cycle of change. The new Mestiza is able to adapt to different environments and juggle these set cultures and be able to view different things through different 'lens'. This allows for the mestiza to keep the current boundaries while also manipulate them to something more favorable to manage. This creates a better standing mentality than the patriarchal method of divisional and sub-categorization.
ReplyDeleteI like your description of the mestiza as "flexible" and the cultural perceptions as "rigid". It paints a good visual and makes your point really strong. I also like how you brought in the patriarchal method in at the end to compare it to the new mestiza consciousness lens. Really good job overall.
DeleteNate RuhrkrautMay 26, 2014 at 7:57 PM
ReplyDeleteIn response to the first question
Anzaldua states that the mestizos will be the ones to control the future because they hold the power to break down paradigms. One of those being the subject object barrier. Mestizos holds this sort of dual thinking because they are the blend of both sides, and have eventually come into terms and negotiation between the contradictions facing their own identity. Because they are the Indian and the white they have broken the barrier that the create because within their own self not one race is the subject and not one the object they come together as one. Anzaldua explains that dual thinkers hold the key to end the violence rape and war because that is the creator of her very existence. She is the meaning of double consciousness and she is the only one that can solve worldy conflicts. She explains that she has the split that no one else has, she is in coatlicue state that no one else can be in except a person with dual consciousness and thinking. No pain no gain, no cut no scar.
In chapter seven, La conciencia de la mestiza/Towards a New Consciousness, Anzaldua writes, “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” (102). The job of the mestiza consciousness is to uproot this dualistic thinking. Dualistic thinking has created "the problem between the white race and the colored, between males and females" (Anzaldua 102) due to its many binary paradigms. One must choose between the "this" or the "that" creating an exclusive perspective rather than an inclusive one. We must rid the world of this dualistic thinking to move "away from set patterns and goals and toward a more whole perspective" (Anzaldua 101).
ReplyDeleteThe US-Mexican border seperated tejano Mexicans from their race over a hundred years ago. These Tejanos along with Chicanos and immigrant Latinos have formed an alternate culture around the border. The problem with the new "mestizaje" is that they are recieving mixed, "often opposing messages," from their parental cultures. (Anzaldua 100) Dualistic thought is a choice between the values of the racial home (for Anzaldua, Mexico) or the homeland, the United States. Really la conciencia is to "see through serpent and eagle eyes." (Anzaldua 100-101) It means choosing a new path rather than following those set by the powerful.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter seven, Anzaldua addresses the idea of the “mestiza consciousness.” This consciences evokes the duality in culture and gender in order to accept the contradictions within the mestiza. The mestiza accepts these contradictions and “questions the definitions light and dark and gives them new meanings” (Alzandua 103) in order to create her own identity. The mestiza uses a double consciousness to engulf all aspects of her identity to promote her identity in its entirety. The only way the mestiza consciousness will break with our limited cultural perception is by people not accepting their juxtaposing cultures and being closed minded to the cumulative identity.
ReplyDeleteDualistic thinking is the ability to maintain ones identity even after being exposed to 2 different cultures. Dualistic thinking is the main struggle that people have to deal with whther it being choosing to assimilate to the US or stcicking to their own culture. If this dualistic way of thinking is not uprooted, violence, rape, and war will continue to exist and the world will not make any progress.
ReplyDeleteI think you understood the concept of dualistic thinking and I feel like you could have elaborated a bit more to carry out your ideas more fluently. Also, try to present some type of textual support. Try to discuss the mestiz@ more.
DeleteDiscuss 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?
ReplyDeleteDualisitc pertains to two identities in one. The merging of the mestiza culture alongside the current world brings forth a mindset that combines both perspectives to understand the conflict and better resolve. It strays from either being of just the western world, or just the indian roots. In order to better the thoughts, actions, and way mestiza women perceive themselves, and other's views of them, this actualization must occur. "A tolerance for contradictions, a tolerance for ambiguity' (101) is developed to inhibit and balance the expectations placed by both cultures. If this thinking is reached, where accordance between two are met in one, then the struggle, conflict, and stress end, ultimately enabling the cosmic race.
This is a very well worded response. I like how you tie everything to together at the end after your quote. The quote you used is also very effective.
DeleteIn chapter seven, Anzaldua introduces the "mestiza consciousness". She is one that is forced to live in a world of contradictions and duality. The split between cultures leads her to a " dual personality." The mestiza is able to relate to both halves creating multiple identities. She holds the power to relate in multiple ways for she is a combination of different culture.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, Anzaldua describes mestiza consciousness as a “third element”. The mestiza consciousness allows for a “walk out of one culture and into another, because [the mestiza is] all cultures at the same time” (Anzaldua 99). There is no need to create an inferior culture, but instead blend the cultures. It gives the ability to deal with multiple perspectives. It creates a unique identity with multiple personalities because of the ability to accept all cultures. The mestiza consciousness would allow a society to come together and put aside differences.
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua presents the idea of Mestiza Consciousness. This is a survival strategy in order to assimilate and coexist under the current structure they are placed under. Anzaldua says “Indigenous like corn, like,corn, the mestizo is a product of crossbreeding, designed for preservation under a variety of condition” (pg. 103) explain how Mestiza has adapted and changed in order to deal with the cultural contradictions in which her life resides. “La mestizo constantly has to shift out of habitual formations” (pg. 101) in order to properly assess her situation and her control her “reality.” The meztiza is a product of a society birthed in paradox and doomed to remain contradictory.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, Anzaldua explains the idea of mestiza consciousness. Through this, she speaks about the mestiza woman and the struggle of controlling her psychological borders."She can't hold concepts or ideas in rigid boundaries... Rigidity means death." (Anzaldua 101) The mestiza consciousness breaks our limited cultural perception because it is characterized as a "movement away from set patterns and goals toward a more whole perspective, one that includes rather than excludes." (Anzaldua 101) The new mestiza learns to deal with cultural conflict by learning to juggle cultures and learning to become an individual with a "plural personality." "The new mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions" because she learns how to sustain those contradictions as she turns ambivalence into something else.
ReplyDeleteI think that if you were too elaborate on that "something else" it could really help conclude your argument. Other than that, I enjoyed reading your interpretation.
DeleteDulisting thinking is when their are two ways of thinking in one time, like a fragmented self. Often times is is the conflict between the oppressor and oppressive. Many see it as imposible for the two ideals to interact and coesist as they contrict eachother, when in reality they need one another in order to validate their belifes.
ReplyDeleteYou should have definitely used quotes from the text to support your ideas. Otherwise, it may just seem like an opinion rather than a response rooted in the text.
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ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldúa formulates the “new mestiza” as a “dual or multiple personality plagued by psychic restlessness” (Anzaldúa 100). The mestiza is in a “state of perpetual transition” (Anzaldúa 100), a gray area that confuses the Us versus Them mentality of the pure-breed cultures. They are outsiders, banished to their own borderland because they don’t fully belong anywhere. The new mestiza must “learn to juggle cultures. She has a plural personality,” (Anzaldúa 101) that causes her much pain, but ultimately creates a new “mestiza consciousness”. This consciousness, through its ability to break down paradigms, introduces a new perspective into the world that has the power to heal the wounds between opposing forces.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your response as I thought it explained the mestiza identity really well. I thought you showed a good understanding of the mestiza identity and the contradictions that shape it. I would like to here more about the new perspective you think the mestiza consciousness forms as it seems you have interesting ideas on it.
DeleteIn chapter 7, Anzaldua explains the idea Mestiza consciousness. The ability to break cultural perceptions of just belonging to one and just assimilating. Just like she stated before she is a border women which is an entirely new culture which bred it's own language. The Mestiza takes away cultural conflict as by creating a new culture they are able to fuse both cultures an individual that does not fall within either category and instead forms the clash into peace. The mestiza develops a tolerance for contradictions because she herself is one. As she is two cultures at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIn Chaper 7: Towards a New Consciousness, Gloria Anzaldua defines the mestiza consciousness as being aware of the duality of the cultures that make up a mestiza. While they have Latin roots, they are mainly Indian. Having relations to multiple cultures often causes the mestiza to be “torn between ways”, getting “opposing messages” or colliding culturally (Anzaldua 100). Anzaldua argues that the mestiza deals with their cultural conflicts by “developing a tolerance for contradictions” becoming “an Indian in Mexican culture” (101) and ignoring the “split between the two”, juggling both cultures in order to become one with both sides of their dual cultures (Anzaldua 100).
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands, Anzaldua presents her readers with the concept of "mestiza consciousness". This concept is utilized by chicanos as a way to cope with the constant contradictions that impede on their success in the United States of America. Due to the fact that the mestiza has no concrete defined place in American society, their “dual or multiple personality” (Anzaldúa 100), is often disregarded as inferior to the gringos of America. The mestiza consciousness calls for the realization of one's identity amongst a society where they are constantly stereotyped and contradicted. Anzaldua is fighting for a sense of identify and purpose, in a society that has purposely excluded her, and the rest of chicanos.
ReplyDeleteWe currently live in a categorical society. One that defines men, women, black, white, gay, straight, jew and christian as polar opposites. However, the formation of the mestiza is the formation of the fifth rac it combines the various opposites of the world and combines them. As a result this not only breaks our limited cultural perception, but is a threat to the powers at be. I say this because the current powers rule off of cultural clashes, as long as blacks and latinos, the poor and the middle class fight against each other then there will never be unity among the oppressed. However, the mestiza is able to silence this cultural conflict because they unite the two categories that previously clashed. This not only builds a tolerance for contradictions, but a unity powerful to unite and change the discriminatory society that is present. This Mestiza is a break in our current society that if organized and executed properly could break the society completely and create a common stand in which contradictions are not only tolerated, but welcomed.
ReplyDeleteIsabella Aimone
ReplyDeleteSaldivar
Latin@ Lit period 4
5/26/14
Usually, dualism is used to show some sort of dichotomy in a situation. In her writing, Anzaldua is using "Dualistic Thinking" to mean the borders that exist naturally, like location, culture, etc. in addition to artificial boundaries created by the collective human population, such as race and gender (which are especially pertinent in her writings). While two different ways of thinking can often exist in harmony, Anzaldua claims that the dualism that she is talking about "Splits people" (108) and rather than that, we should be breaking down this destructive way of thinking to focus on progression and thusly we will become more inclusive and unified as a society. But, the nature of most dualistic thinking is that while they do obstruct each other, they could not exist without the other. This inability for the separation of ideas whether it be culturally or otherwise creates internal conflict in people that is very difficult to resolve, thus making the lifestyle of one from dual backgrounds that much harder. This is the phenomenon that Anzaldua says must be stopped to stem the flow of (not specifically rape, violence and war, but rather just) the ill fated events that take place on such a sadly regular basis.
In Chapter 7, Anzaldua describes the mestiza consciousness as the "consciousness of the borderlands". The new Mestiza consciousness comes from the mixing of not only two cultures but three cultures: the indigenous, the mexican, and the American. Anzaldua portrays the new mestiza as "a product of the tansfer of the cultural and spiritual values of one group to another" (Anzaldua 100) Anzaldua mentions that once the New Mestiza race is able to understand their past and tolerate all contradictions she will gain an understanding of herself as a new race
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua claims that the new mestiza creates a new consciousness, “a mestiza consciousness” (Anzaldua 102). She feels as though she has no country but she is “participating in the creation of… another culture” and not only is she a creature of “light” and “dark” but also one that questions the meaning of them both and creates her own meaning from that (Anzaldua 103). “The new mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions” refers to how she acknowledges all cultures and becoming both.
ReplyDeleteWhen Anzaldua says uprooting dualistic thinking could bring an end to violence I believe she says we must bridge together the countless mini divisions that humans have formed to separate themselves from others. These divisions would include sex, race, religion, etc. As Anzaldua has stated throughout the book, separation and isolation lead to violence. If everyone was truly united there would be no group to single out and oppress. "By creating a new mythos-that is, a change in the way we perceive reality, the way we see ourselves, the way we behave-la mestiza creates a new consciousness." (Anzaldua 102) While this would result in a massive change on how humans see the world today, it would result in more peaceful, equal place to live.
ReplyDeleteI feel like your response was a bit too vague. I like your point that you are trying to make but I feel like you should elaborate more on the change this would make.
DeleteIn chapter 7 of Borderlands, Anzaldua discusses what dualistic thinking is and the idea that is actually hurts people to have this kind of mentality. To begin, dualistic thinking is when a certain split has to happen between something. For example, a person can only be a male or a female, the way a person may identify themselves may only be as Mexican or American, it has to be one or the other, this or that, but never a mix of the two. Anzaldua states that dualistic thinking is "the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts” (Anzaldua 102). It is very true that our way of thinking has become very dualistic and it is because of the way it has been for a long time and we are simply used to having this type of mentality and it is convenient for us too. The end of dualistic thinking could bring the end of rape, violence and war if people realized it. A lot of people have just become used to thinking dualistically that they don't care what it brings. If people just changed the way they thought, it would bring an end to many injustices because people would get an opportunity to understand a person, not based on the "this or that", but on the fact that that person is just as human as you are.
ReplyDeleteThe Mestiza consciousness stems from la mestiza raza, a mix of white, black, latino, Asian, all races. This race benefits from a biological fluidity, a mixture of every race with no wide disparities in physical appearance. This mezcla, this cultural mix, would produce an inherent consciousness that combines the consciousness of all of these races. The chicana race resembles this, a beginning of the mixture necessary to create this double consciousness. The new mestiza has to solve conflict by adapting to different viewpoints and "tolerating contradictions," because, like a Starburst, the mestiza is a juicy contradiction. A contradiction of cultures, values, and consciousness. Also sorry this is a few minutes late Saldivar my computer sucks.
ReplyDeleteYazmin Caballero
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin@ Lit 2/6B
In Chapter 7 of Borderlands, Anzaldua presents the concept of mestiza consciousness and how it is linked to the mestiza's struggles and triumphs. La mestiza "constantly has to shift out of habitual formations," descendant of indigenous and spanish blood, la mestiza has to become "flexible" and balance between her two cultures, bending to each of their wills (Anzaldua 101). This is where the mestiza consciousness takes place, la mestiza must first "take inventory [of her] history," then reinterpret it, breaking all oppressions and then "adopt[ing] new perspectives" that grant her strength (Anzaldua 104). With this strength she "learns to transform the small 'I' into the total Self (Anzaldua 105). She learns that her goal is to create an equality amongst her people and to get rid of oppressions. She learns that her responsibility as a mestiza is to renew her ideals, and then her cultures, to become conscious of the social injustices and right them.
The "dualistic thinking" is the "very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts” (Anzaldua 102). It is a consequence of human nature. As humans we like to compartmentalize and categorize because it makes the world easier to comprehend. In a world filled with so many gray areas, is to it is soothing to be able to tell the difference between this and that. However Anzaldua argues that this is a danger to the Latino identity. According to "dualistic thinking" we can either be American or Mexican and not a mixture of both. This is way of thinking can lead a Latino into thinking they are unfit for society and it can drive them into the Coatlicue state. Or it "splits people" (108) and can lead them into a further assimilation to the American culture.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7 of Gloria Anzaldua's Borderlands, the idea of the Mestiza culture is presented as the greatest hybrid of not just one, but many different cultures, “la mestiza is a product of the transfer of the cultural and spiritual values of one group to another” (100). It takes the cultures of the Mexico, the European, the Borderland, and many other places to become a great melting pot. Although it has its difficult of balancing of balancing the cultures from time to time, altogether it is one of the greatest cultures in existence due to the taking the best from each culture and making it their own.
ReplyDeleteI like how you describe the culture of the mestiza as the best because it has elements of many cultures. I think some people see the mestiza identity as confusing to navigate because of the many different elements; I liked that you flipped that around.
DeleteIn chapter 7, Anzaldúa addresses the issue of “dualistic thinking” which is essentially the very paradigm and dichotomy that every society functions on today. According to Anzaldúa, this way of “dualistic thinking” is “the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts,” (Anzaldúa 102) that has been ingrained in our cultures for centuries. Ultimately, "The answer to the problem between the white race and the colored, between the males and females, lies in healing the split that originates in the very foundation of our lives, our culture, our languages, our thoughts" (Anzaldua 102). This is the only way that this process of “dualistic thinking” and newfound, involuntary sense of separation can be abolished. This answer is more easily stated than carried out however. “Dualistic thinking” is the very foundation that our societies still operate on today and have been operating on for thousands of years. It would not be easy to simply undo the effects that this “dualistic thinking” thinking has ultimately embedded in us our entire lives. The biggest challenge would lie in making people care about and genuinely recognize the separation that our “duality” has caused for the reason that we have embraced it for so long. It may not be impossible to “uproot” this process of “dualistic thinking”, but it most certainly would take an immensely huge duration of time.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, Anzaldua defines the mestiza consciousness as being aware of duality of the cultures that make up a mestiza. A mestiza has a variety of genes but also has Latin roots that were mainly Indian. This means that a mestiza is related to several cultures that can lead a mestiza to be "torn between ways" (Anzaldua 100). Anzaldua argues that the mestiza faces cultural conflicts because it is not easy keeping up with these two different worlds. She states that the mestiza deals with the conflicts by "developing a tolerance for contradictions". (101) of the two cultures and having feel accepted into both.
ReplyDeleteDualistic thinking is the belief of a this and a that in all aspects of society. There are only ever two options. This is seen in society as a whole when looking at race and gender. The dualistic thinking in race only allows for a black and white paradigm. Anzaldua explains, “In the Gringo world, the Chicano suffers from excessive humility and self-effacement, shame of self and self-deprecation” (Anzaldua 105). The dualistic nature of society leaves no room for Chicanos. They are “visible – see this Indian face – yet I am invisible” (Anzaldua 108). The dualistic nature of gender creates another hierarchy that places women beneath men, but because of the hierarchy of race, the Chicano’s “ ‘machismo’ is an adaptation to oppression and poverty and low self-esteem. It is the result of hierarchical male dominance” (Anzaldua 105). This hierarchical male dominance does not even include women because women are beneath everyone; “ ‘you’re nothing but a woman’ means you are defective” (Anzaldua 105). This dualism must be overthrown in order for Chicanos to overcome “the dominant white culture [that] is slowly with its ignorance” (Anzaldua 108). Chicanos must look beyond the current structure of society. Anzaldua concludes the novel with “This land was Mexican once/ was Indian always/ and is./ And will be again” (Anzaldua 109).
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