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!
There is no doubt that culture creates a sense of unity among communities. However, many cultures impose traditions that oppress women. This concept is presented in chapter two of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua. According to Anzaldua, Mexican culture was created by men because many of its traditions encourage women to submit to them. Those who question the unquestionable are labeled as outcasts. Gloria questioned her family’s traditions because they prevented her from finding her intrinsic nature, which was buried under the personality that was imposed on her, and therefore believes that her people sold her out. But even before Gloria questioned her traditions, her traditions had questioned her because she was born transgender and was considered “una de las otras” (Anzaldua 41). According to Anzaldua, “the ultimate rebellion a woman can make against her culture is through her sexual behavior” (Anzaldua 41), and therefore considers that being lesbian is a path of knowledge because it balances the power that men have acquired through culture. Though her culture sold he out, Anzaldua still carries “lo mexicano in her system” (Anzaldua 43) because she knows about the sickness of her culture—machismo. Anzaldua closes the chapter by recalling the story of the malinche because it offers an explanation for why men oppress women. According to Gloria, since the malinche betrayed her own people, all of the Mexican women are cursed because they carry her Indian blood. Many women have opted to accept this role and therefore “police the Indian woman, brutalize and condemn her” (Anzaldua 44). However, this Indian blood that is present in all “indias y mestizas” has awakened and encourages women to “fight for her own skin and a piece of ground… from which to view the world” (Anzaldua 45). This is a concept that is frightening to men because once women realize how much power they posses, it will mark the end to the machismo present in Mexican culture and thus start “a new culture—una cultura mestiza—“(Anzaldua 44) where women are not sold out.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you started off by acknowledging the fact that “culture makes a sense of unity among communities”, and then presenting your argument and explaining the negative elements to a culture. It really balanced out your response when you were able to present your response that way (made it seem less biased). I also like how your response established purpose at the end by writing “once women realize how much power they possess, it will mark the end [of] machismo”. Good job!
DeleteI agree with Jasmine. The support you use and how fluid you present the information ties your response together very well.
DeleteI think this is a well written, concise blog entry. I enjoy how you discuss machismo as a sickness. You captured Anzaldua's message from this chapter very thoroughly.
DeleteJasmine Madrigal
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin American/Latin@ Literature, Period 2/6B
May 18, 2014
Forced Into Silence
In chapter two of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldúa, Anzaldúa claims her people “sold her out” because of their lack of acceptance in her as a woman, more specifically a lesbian. In the Mexican culture, women are taught from a very young age that they are to be submissive and, therefore, unquestioning of the roles they are to assume as women. Anzaldúa, however, made herself aware of revolutionary ideas from reading books, and “made the choice to be queer” because it is a “path of knowledge-one of knowing (and of learning) the history of oppression of [her] raza” (41). In choosing not to conform, Anzaldúa challenges her culture in an attempt to call for justice. The criticism that results creates a fear of “being abandoned by the mother, the culture, la Raza” that the writer dubs “homophobia…the fear of going home” (Anzaldúa 42). This sense of being sold out is present anytime the dominant structure attempts to inhibit its people, Anzaldúa specifically saying the “worst kind of betrayal” is the cultural perception that “the Indian woman in [Mexicans] is the betrayer” when the story of Malinche speaks of her assisting the Spanish in conquering Mexico (44). The story of Malinche silences women, and creates a false sense of justification that further perpetuates the disempowerment of women.
I find it interesting how the story of the Malinche is used to perpetuate and disempower women. The idea that being lesbian is a path of knowledge is fascinating because, by being lesbian, women are not only defying their culture but also taking control of their sexuality.
DeleteI really like how you concluded your statement with your last sentence, and I agree that Anzaldúa rebels against her culture in order to aid the Latina woman, not to betray them.
DeleteI like how you showed the transition Anzaldua went through, from oppressed to revolutionary through her own studying. It was one of the most interesting pieces in the chapter for me, but I couldn't really find a good way of articulating it. I think you did it very well, good response.
DeleteAnzaldua claims that she did not sell out her people but that she was sold out; because she was woman to challenge her culture she did not believe in the cultural traditions of machismo. Anzaldua’s cultural roots comes from those created by men for men, it is a culture that was intended to keep the social hierarchy of men in power and suppress that of woman. Because Anzaldua’s very own sexulalty goes against the cultural norms of her culture she was ostracized from her own culture. Anzaldua then tells of the story malinche,because the malinche a tale that justifies why women should be oppressed; this story just one of the many tools that Latino male culture employs to keep there dominate roles.
ReplyDeleteI agree when you say that culture is often used as a means to control people, as culture is a very structured device filled with rules and regulations for how a person should and should not live. When these are not followed, one often feels like a type of outcast, almost as a means to get that person to conform to their cultural standards. Except it is a little general to say the story of malinche is used to justify the oppression of women. Rather, the story is more specifically used to justify the oppression of Indian women, to make us “believe that the Indian woman in us is the betrayer” (Anzaldúa 44). Overall, I agree with your ideas.
DeleteI agree your main ideas but everything just seems very broad and unsupported. I agree with Elizabeth that you can't overgeneralize that story to just say it's used to oppress women. You make some very valid points but i just thought you should of used more textual support. I did really like the line where you said her cultural roots were created by men to keep men in power. I feel like that's a really good point to branch off from.
DeleteIn your response, you include several of the main points of the chapter, which is good, but what would make the arguments stronger is if you used quotes from the book. You have good ideas that I agree with, but, your response could be stronger with textual support. Other than that, it was good.
DeleteI like the way you synthesized her arguments, because you included the majority of the points she made. Elaborate more on how Anzaldua is forced to rely on this culture, and how they betray her. How is this betrayal inherent in the culture?
DeleteWith her claim, Gloria Anzaldúa attempts to explain that she did not betray her people, but her people were the ones to betray her. While she defends her race and culture, all her culture has ever done to her in return is attempt to silence her, and condemn her for living outside the cultural norms. Her people “sold” her by attempting to mold her into their ideal woman, covering up who she really was “under the personality that had been imposed on [her]” (Anzaldúa 38). Growing up she was taught beliefs used to control her, such as to strive to be a mother and unconditionally respect her husband. The story of malinche is used to exemplify how cultures are used to control ideas and beliefs about oneself. La Malinche’s story is another of betrayal lies, as it causes Mexican women to believe that “the Indian woman is us is the betrayer”, and to work to distance ourselves from her as much as possible (Anzaldúa 44). Anzaldúa argues that cultures do betray women, as they place women in “rigidly defined roles”, preventing them from ever speaking out or taking a stand for themselves. Culture often reflects the woman as a lowly being who must be shackled and silenced “in the name of protection” (Anzaldúa 42). For this reason, the only women who can truly be from themselves are those who break free of such restrictions, without regard for it they are accepted by their culture or not.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be a common theme in patriarchal societies, no? Women are just seen as people who should keep quiet and do what they are told. And it comes from generations of conditioning women to be in their certain roles. Just recently, (last 50 years or so) has the idea of women's suffrage come to several cultures. There are still countries out there that treat their women a certain way that is seen as wrong by people with different morals. With more women advocating revolution and protest, maybe everyone can eventually have the same views on how to treat their women right.
DeleteI agree with Mario. Anzaldua made an attempt to help her people and to make women realize that oppression should not be tolerated. I do not believe women that have been born and raised into a culture that forces them to fit into the "ideal woman" can change their views so quickly.However, the joining of forces and acknowledging the role of the woman by giving her a place of validation can make things happen.
DeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands Anzaldua talks about the rejection she faced while growing up by every form of authority that surrounded her. She didn’t fit the normal expectations that were set upon her and for this she was seen as an outsider. Her family viewed her as “lazy. Instead of ironing [her] younger brothers’ shirts or cleaning the cupboards, [she] would pass man hours studying, reading, painting, writing (Anzaldua 38). She wasn’t leaving her culture behind. She understood it and realized it had its flaws that destroyed her as an individual. Her culture was oppressing her instead of helping her. Her only option was to disobey this authority and make her own judgments on the outside world. She feels betrayed when the Indian inside of her is called out to be blamed in the betrayal of the people. “Male culture has done a good job on us. Son las costumbres que traicionan. La india en mí es la sombra: La Chingada, Tlazolteotl, Coatlicue. Son ellas que oyemos lamentando a sus hijas perdidas” (Anzaldua 44). Her culture destroys the Indian woman inside of her and makes s her feel worthless. Her culture has betrayed her through the lack of support of decisions that makes one feel self-fulfillment or just a feeling of self satisfaction. This being something I believe that everyone should be entitled to but that’s just not the case when you’re a woman in the Latina culture. In the Latina culture it’s something you’re ridiculed for and looked down upon when fighting for this basic need.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as this book was written in 1987, it is amazing how decades later the time difference of reading this in 2014 remains almost unnoticeable. I dont think that Anzaldua's individual was every destroyed though, she maintains that at a young age she knew who she was and preserved that even though the rejection.
DeleteI like how you provide some of your own insight paired with Anzaldua's. I feel like she had very strong points in Spanish too but I can't read it soo..
DeleteBorderlands Chapter 2 discusses gender roles and cultural expectations. She claims to have been "sold out" by her own people (Anzaldúa 44). She has been "betrayed" even. She compares herself to the victims of La Malinche's betrayal. But it's kind of backwards. In the Aztec history, Malintzín was the dark skinned woman that betrayed her people. But here, Anzaldúa is the dark skinned woman getting betrayed by her people.
ReplyDeleteI think for this response you have to explain why Anzadua feels that it was her people that sold her out and not the other way around. As well as what is the social significance that her people sold her out; what is she trying to shed light on by addressing the story of the Malinche? These are just some questions that I would say could be useful to guide you to find the deeper significance of the chapter.
DeleteI agree with your ideas that she has been betrayed and sold out by her people. I feel that it could be clearer if you show how the cultural standards are for women and how she didnt conform to them and that is why she feels sold out. But your interpretation of the Malinche's story is analyzed and compared very well to show how it is ironic how Anzadua flips the roles in the story and how that relates to her perdicament.
DeleteI agree with your ideas but it needs more context. I love your last few sentences talking about Malintzin and Anzaldua being contradictory to each other. I think your ideas need to be expanded on because you have good points you just need to take the time to explain them.
DeleteMany people seek refugee in their culture as it represents home, a set of rules and commonness that you can seek comfort in. However, as detailed in her experience with a students misunderstanding of what homophobia meant, Anzaldua realizes the how double edged this "home" can be. Anzaldua recognizes that while culture is home doesnt make it automatically accepting, in fact, culture is inherently restricting as it is formed by males causing many women to fear "being abondonded by the mother, the culture" (42) and to fear deviating from the servile standard man have set and idolized. For Anzaldua, although identifying as lesbian incites "Fear of going home" (42) she also pridefully rebels against her culture. Through rejection, marginalization, and her culture making her believe the "Indian woman in us is the betrayer", her culture has sold her. They have sold her right to be an individual and to have the truth about her roots, selling her "freedom to carve and chisel" (44) her own face. She references Malinche to show the false claims of betrayal her people have placed upon the women, and how its actually reversed.
ReplyDeleteI like how you began by stating that people find refuge in their cultures, because it is were they feel more comfortable in as it's all they know. Your response was clear and concise, and put some things in perspective for me.
Delete"double edged this 'home' can be" I love it! Your response brings highlight to not only Anzaldua's claim but to the issue of her culture false sanctuary and disempowering beliefs. Great use of quotes.
DeleteGloria Anzaldúa was rebellious very early on in her life and "tired constantly to mobilize [her] soul under [her] own regime , to live life on [her] own terms no matter how unsuitable to others they were…Instead of ironing [her] brothers shirts or cleaning the cupboards, [she] would pass many hours studying, reading, painting, writing" even though "nothing in [her] culture approved of [her] (Anzaldúa 38). To those of her culture it may seem as though she has betrayed her culture and is trying to get away from her roots, but Anzaldúa goes on to explain that "Not me sold out my people but they me" (Anzaldúa 44), that she has not betrayed her culture, but rather, her culture has betrayed her and other Latinas. She emphasizes this point by telling the story of Malinche. When Malinche became known as "la Chingada," she created a detrimental reputation far all Latinas, making them "believe that the Indian Woman in [them] the betrayer" (Anzaldúa 44) and because of the color of their skin, Latinas have not only been colonized by "the Spaniard [and] the Anglo, [but] by [their] own people" (Anzaldúa 44-45). Although the Latin@ culture betrays women, I also believe that it strengthens them, "the spirit of the fire spur[ring] her to fight for her own skin and a piece of ground to stand on" (Anzaldúa 45).
ReplyDeleteThe support you use and how you influence it with your analysis is very fluid and solid. Your ideas like culture betraying Latinas and giving it a different spin is admirable, and seeing it from another perspective does put things in a formidable setting. Your whole piece seems well thought out and with strong influence. Overall good job, just a bit more analysis would make it perfect.
DeleteBorderlands: Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteThroughout this chapter I was reminded of the saying "Winners write history". I thought of this saying because Anzaldua described the suffering of a woman trapped in a culture dictated by men. Many times privileged people will tell the oppressed that they are the cause of their own oppression and that if they work hard enough they can achieve success. Anzaldua shows this is not the case for women of color as their achievements are both measured and limited by their oppressors: Men. "Culture is made by those in power -- men. Males make the rules and laws; women transmit them. Anzaldua brings up the story of Malianli because it is a scapegoat used by her culture to continue the oppression of women; to blame women for the oppression of the Mexican culture as a whole.A s a Mexican Lesbian Anzaldua knows the oppression she and others receive from her culture. And she points out that those who are oppressed have a choice "to feel a victim where someone else is in control and therefore responsible and to blame... or to feel strong, and for the most part, in control". Anzaldua makes her choice clear, and it is a choice that serves as empowerment for many Chicanas and Lesbians like herself "If going home is denied me then I will have to stand and claim my space, making a new culture -- una cultura mestiza -- with my own lumber, my own bricks and mortar and my own feminist architecture.
I really like the way you incorporated the quotes to the response. I think that the argument is a valid one. It is relatable to more than just Anzaldua's piece and brings it out to a historical perspective where its particularly different here because of the strong culture that latinos have. I do like the connection back to Anzaldua's own personal life story, thought it brought back to the prompt without a clear and awkward transition.
DeleteYeah I really like how you used the winner write history and tied it all together. I feel like you went beyond what was asked which was good because it provided more analysis and interesting points.
DeleteIn chapter 2 of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua, the betrayal of Anzaldua's culture provokes her to say that she has become objectified and demeaned by all. She talks about how she does not have the opportunity to 'carve and chisel [her] own face'( Anzaldua 44). Her rebeldia is closely related to Ana Castillo's argument of la Macha. The chapter presented the educated woman as something that is taboo and unconventional because it does not follow the traditions set by her culture. Anzaldua is betrayed because of the power that man has and its created subgroups of religion that have maintained a conservative patriarchy that can not be questioned because of its divine label. Ana Castillo would argue that along with that, the woman's sexuality is forbidden and must be preserved to be considered 'good'. Azaldua exemplifies this with the examples of the lesbian students whom 'threw the more conservative heterosexual students and faculty into panic' ( Anzaldua 41). Such beliefs were considered against man/God and thus the reason for which the author described that most hid the 'beast' and tried to ignore it. The malinche story is brought up as an example of the deconstruction of women characters based on men's reaction to them. Women do not have principle freedom to develop an identity and so Gloria Anzaldua declares that there must be change or else it will not change.
ReplyDeleteRuben, i really liked how you described the fact that Anzaldua was not accepted by her own culture and also incorporated ideas from Ana Castillo to support your arguments. I also agree with your interpretation of the story of la malinche
DeleteAnzaldua claims that “Not me sold out my people but they me” because she challenged the system to put simply. Being lesbian and having to please both cultures made her break the regular mode imposed on her by society. Put into a sense of rejection and cast away. There was a "personality that had been imposed on" he, so when she did not accept it, is the moment she was cast away from society even though it was "[her] family, [her] tierra, [her] gente" (Anzaldua 38). Her people "sold" her because she was no longer accepted into their way of being as she rejected certain customs and brought to herself new ideas. For instance the idea of the "mujer mala" and being a "good woman" creates a two way spectrum where either the customs are followed or they are rejected (Anzaldua 39). Anzaldua brings up the story of the Malinche to emphasize her people selling her and the power held by the machismo. Demonstrating "la Chingada" and how "male culture has done a good job on [them]" showing the molds and prepositions placed upon them due to culture and society, and going against them sells them out (Anzaldua 44). Cultures can both strengthen and weaken cultures. In the case of the Latin culture the Latina is put into a mold, with the effects of Machismo and religion to be like the Virgin Mary it weakens them. There are cultures though that empower women more so than men making them the dominant force.
ReplyDeleteAzaldua attempts to defend her culture to an extent in which the harm and hurt is external, relations with race. But she explains that where the betrayal and harm is really done is when her own cultural does it onto herself. It is when her own culture creates a realm in which it silences its own women and implement a laws and social norms. She feels like her own culture has faulted because they don't provide space for women, as Anzaldua says, for "the freedom to carve and chisel my own face." Throughout history the Chicana has felt voiceless and scared of home. The story of la minche is used because Anzaldua believes that the worst betrayal by her culture is making chican@s believe that the Indian women is the betrayal. She states that the men have condemned the dark skin tried to distance their indemnity from Indian roots. Anzaldua states that malinche wasn't the betrayer because she kept her ground and voice strong through attempts to silence her. Malinche was betrayed by her own people not vice versa
ReplyDeleteNate, I like your interpretation of this chapter, especially the story of Malinche. I think you did a good job contextualizing this chapter. I didn't notice the part about how Malinche was betrayed because of her Indian roots, so you id good bringing that part to light. Overall, really well done.
DeleteNathan, I like how you ended the response with the idea that Malinche was betrayed by her own people and not vice versa because it adds to what you said about culture being faulted by not providing a space for women. I also really enjoyed the quote "the freedom to carve and chisel my own face", its such a strong quote that speaks for itself and leaves an impact. Good response
DeleteIn Chapter 2 of Borderlands, Anzaldua discusses the suffering of women in her culture. She talks about her maternal figures telling the young boys "beat your wives for not obeying, for being big mouths, for gossiping with neighbors and expecting their husbands to help with the kids" (Anzaldua 38). The culture forms the individuals beliefs and the culture stems from the religeon. "Women are subservient to men under the influence of religeon"(Anzaldua 38) . This creates what Anzaldua calls "Cultural Tyranny." Anzaldua claims that she was "sold out" because of her culuters lack of acceptance of her femininity and sexuality. Because of her catholic upbringing she felt scared in returning home to establish her sexuality as that being of an untraditional sexuality. She risked being labeled as a "Mujer mala" by her family and culture (Anzuldua 39). Passivist women do not get shown as being sold out as a women because they conform to the societal standards and obligations for them, but ones that are radical enough to go against the norm get persecuted for doing so.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your insight as to how "Because of her catholic upbringing she felt scared in returning home to establish her sexuality as that being of an untraditional sexuality." The ideas of Anzalduas sexuality when in a religious context is incredible important to the understanding of how not only her people sold her out but her savoir as well.
DeleteAlthough women are often the foundation that keeps a culture stable and functioning, the patriarchy within social institutions continue to perpetuate the cycle of oppression that women are burdened with. There are high expectations for women of color within their respective cultures and they are expected to accomplish all of those things, but if they fail, then, they are cast aside as incompetent or inferior. As a lesbian, Anzaldua is shunned by the catholic church because homosexuality is perceived to be a sin and she states that "woman does not feel safe when her own culture, and white culture, are critical of her: where the males of all races hunt her as prey" (Anzaldua 42). Latinos say that they are constantly being oppressed, but they overlook the fact that the women of their culture are being oppressed by members of the same culture and because of this, Anzaldua claims that she has been sold out by her own people, not that her people were sold out by her. This claim is valid because instead of adjusting to the needs and conflicts that Chicana women face, the patriarchy present in Latino culture and Catholicism simply tells them that they are breaking rules and should change their ways to fit societal norms. Anzaldua includes the story of Malinche in order to explain that "the worst kind of betrayal lies in the making us believe that the Indian woman in us is the betrayer" (Anzaldua 44). Anzaldua explains that women of color have been oppressed for hundreds of years and that their own cultures have participated in the abuse. Anzaldua's culture does not show flexibility in its rules and norms. Rather, it waits for Anzaldua to adapt to the demands of the culture.
ReplyDeleteI really like how clear and organized your response was. Also your point at the end was very insightful about flexibility vs. rigidness which explains why Anzaldua and feminist writings like hers are so controversial; women are not expected to counteract but conform to the structures of their culture.
DeleteAnzaldua proves that the cultural tyranny is responsible for oppressing women whether they are within or without the cultural boundaries. Historically, woman have been "colonized by the Spaniard, the Anglo"(44) and now by her own culture. It is culture that establishes the "unchallengeable, unquestionable" concepts created by men, that force women to fall in certain fates. In order to be seen as a successful women who has lived up to societal expectations, she could turn only in four directions. "...to the Church as a nun, to the streets as a prostitute...to the home as a mother" or by "entering the word by way of education and career"(39). If women chose to pave their own path by way of their sexuality or defiance towards men, they were shunned once and for-all from their culture. Anzaldúa brings up the story of Malinche, because she represents the "mujer mala". Even when accepted by the mother culture, women are still reminded of the Malinche that lives inside then. The men use the story of Malinche to scare women into conforming to their culture. Women are truly betrayed by their culture because with their culture they remain "faceless and voiceless"(45) but without it they are cultureless, "alienated from their mother culture" and everything they know and they thought belonged to them.
ReplyDeleteBaele,
DeleteI really like how you connected your first point about men creating a dominant culture to your second point about Malinche. The way you tied them together makes your initial point much stronger. I also like your incorporation of the quotes. They helped everything flow together much smoother. I love the ending because you show how women are forced to choose between conforming and being a nobody or rebelling and being alienated. It embodies the ideas of the chapter really effectively.
Chapter 2 of Borderlands offers an in depth view on Anzaldua's experience as a Lesbian Chicana within Mexican culture. She touches upon certain truths that are present within a Mexican culture, one of which being that Selfishness is condemned (Anzaldua 40). What that means is that one is expected to act like everyone else or else be labeled as "que te crees grande" (Anzaldua 40) even when your intentions were good. For Anzaldua, her experience as a lesbian chicanca has labeled her as different in the eyes of others. In that sense, it is not her own choices that do not follow social norms that is selling out her people, but rather the refusal of acceptance of those differences by her people that have "sold" her. It is admirable and impressionable when Anzaldua writes, "I want the freedom to carve and chiesel my own face,"(Anzaldua 44) because it is her proposition to the problems and contradictions that her culture has imposed. Anzaldua brings up the story of Malinche because it further brings out the idea that women have to always be held to the regards of men to be validated or worth anything in this culture, that going against societal norms condemns one to a life of criticism and ridicule.
ReplyDeleteGloria Anzaldua's claim "[n]ot me sold out my people but they me" refers to her upbringing in a culture that makes women subservient to men, a culture full of contradictions. Take for example how a woman who remains a virgen until marriage is considered a "good woman" but on the other hand if she "doesn't renounce herself in favor of the male, she is selfish" (Anzaldua 39). Her people have betrayed her because they have labeled her as weak, as in need of protection, even before given the chance to say otherwise. Anzaldua tells the story of malinche so to give a perspective of how woman have had this label of "the bretayer" (Anzaldua 44). But really it's her culture that has betrayed her, she was made "invisible, she was not heard" (Anzaldua 45).
ReplyDeleteYou were very clear with your evidence and the way you used it to support your point of Anzaldua feeling betrayed. I like how you included the fact that she was silenced, which is what really is the cause for the cycle of oppression of women.
DeleteIris, you did a good job using quotes to support your argument and connect it to the concept of betrayal. I like the way everything flows. I agree that there are a lot of contradictions when it comes to the mexican culture and how it raises women. Do you think religion plays a big part of their culture?
DeleteAs Anzaldua discusses her concepts of cultures identity she goes on to explain how through our cultural beliefs comes oppression. Anzaldua says culture is "... made by those in power-man." Religion plays a role on how women have been forcefully handed their social positions and how "... those in power-man." shall enforce the roles. Her ancestors who were unaware of their actions or lack of actions would cause tension between male and female rolls. As before modern times women who displayed any rejection of social rolls were cast out of society or labeled as an incapable wife. For example women who do not full fill "motherly" duties are represented by the public as "total failures ".
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, cultures do bring oppression especially to women and anyone that doesn't go along with what is considered normal. Time are not the same and a woman that's not "motherly" is not a "total failure" but a success. She has the will to become whoever she wants without any sort of men empowered by culture restricting her.
DeleteI agree with what you've stated and think you made excellent points. You used the quotes nicely, you just need to remember to site them. Also you didn't mention the story of Malinche.
Delete"Culture forms our beliefs" and creates our own perception of reality (Anzaldúa 38). Culture has always been a way for one to identify themselves. She explains that she didn't betray her culture rather she explains the problems that exist within it, but it is that her culture betrayed her because it does not allow for women to be anything other than a nun, a prostitute, or a housewife. Her culture also betrayed when it came to her sexuality as in her culture being lesbian "goes against two moral prohibitions: sexuality and homoseuality" (Anzaldúa 41). That's why whenever a woman steps out of the boundaries of what is stated as normal they are labeled as a "mujer mala" or a bad woman whom has no room within this culture (Anzaldúa 39). This is where cultures betray woman because Anzaldúa states that all these moral standards and rules are placed by men whom want to be in control with justifications that they are protecting women. She brings up the stroy of the Malinche as another way people male culture dominates women as they blame the indian blood within the Chicanas for their temptation to betray their own people, but in doing this you are alienating anyone who just has a different perception of the same culture.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand what you mean by the last sentence. I can see how viewing a culture in a different way can be seen as treachery by that culture but I don't see what is inherently wrong with that. It seems like common practice by any culture that a deviation from there beliefs will be frowned upon. La Malinche doesn't view culture in a different way. She was mother to a new race- mestizaje. That would be an example of a different perspective but I don't see how La Malinche herself holds a different perspective.
Delete“Borderlands La Frontera” Chapter 2
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua feels betrayed by her own people yet she does not feel guilty for “betraying” them. She proved to be an outsider in her culture by her rebellious spirit and her sexuality. Culture betrays women like Anzaldua by forcing them to accept the inferior position they are given. The ones in power are the men and they are the ones who decide if a woman is worthy or not. In most cases, though, the mother is the one who instills those beliefs on the daughter therefore the daughter grows up with the same mindset of being less. Women in the Mexican culture are diminished and limited to be a certain way to satisfy the beliefs of the community that raised them. According to Anzaldua , women are to be protected with “la gorra” or “el rebozo” in order to hide their body from dangerous men. In fact the “protection” that they are given is a warning given to them so that they are not seen as selfish and later condemned. Malinche is the type of woman that women shouldn’t be, “la chingada” is the mirror that women don’t want to look at or identify with. Religion defines culture therefore it betrays women by making them belief that god had a right to condemn women and homosexuals to a point where they were seen as non-human.
I like how you presented Anzaldua's beliefs in the chapter. It is interesting to think that cultures force their beliefs onto their followers; I would never have thought of it that way but in a sense, it's true. However, I think that you're first sentence, at least the way it is worded, implies that Gloria has something to feel guilty about even if she doesn't actively feel that way. I don't think that's what you meant; that's just how it read to me.
Deletei agree that cultures force beliefs onto people and when they don't comply with these customs they are seen as outcasts. i thought your response was well thought out and well supported.
DeleteWomen have constantly been the source of social persecution for many a millennia. Anzaldua claims that “Not me sold out my people but they me,” explaining how women were sold out by the very people they represent and support. Anzaldua states that “My Chicana identity is grounded in the Indian woman’s history of resistance,” (Anzaldua 43) directly correlating to how the Chicana has a lack of identity to her ancestry and often can sell themselves out by allowing for their identity to be shaped by people other than them. This dilution of cultural heritage allows for the males in a system to tell women what they are and in turn have men and women both sell out/betray women.
ReplyDeleteRamon Herrera
DeleteQuick and to the point; I like that. Great use of quotes to further explain your points in an efficient manner. Not sure if it fully explains all her thoughts in the chapter, but I dont mind. Good job.
I like how you described how the men in the system use the culture to control the women, but what about specifically Anzaldua? Why is she "sold" by her own culture?
DeletePatriarchy is a common social system in which women have little say in what goes on and men are the primary authority figures. Patriarchy has been imposed in the basis of society for so long that it has resulted in a constant cycle of oppression of women. In Chapter 2 of Borderlands, Anzaldua speaks on her rebellion against any sort of patriarchy, and how it was a present cycle in her life. Anzaldua explains that culture is the basis for the beliefs that are carried on by people, specifically, her culture supports the grand role of males and their dominance in the family. Anzaldua says that, "The culuture expects women to show greater acceptance of, and commitment to, the value system than men" (Anzaldua 39). This "Cultural Tyranny" is allowed because women are not allowed to question it as they are silenced or else their value system will, in there eyes, become degraded. When males are given dominance in a culture it is implied that males are part of a family with a woman as his partner. Therefore culturally, not only are women expected to foresee themselves as less than males, but they are also expected to turn out heterosexual. Anzaldua being a lesbian woman she saw this acceptance of only heterosexuals as being shut down as a person, women allow for this loss of identity by remaining silent. Anzaldua states, “Not me sold out my people but they me” (Anzaldua 44), she feels as though she has been let down by her people for allowing this oppression to occur for so long.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you began by explaining the Patriarchy that is presented in the culture and is what allows for the cultural tyranny that Anzaldúa presents. The silencing of women to allow this cultural tyranny to be prolonged is a point that struck me as very true and interesting. This fourth option of becoming educated that Anzaldúa presents offers some kind of solution to the silencing of women. Only thing missing is why she incorporated the malinche in this chapter.
DeleteIn Chapter 2, Gloria Anzaldúa says, “not me sold out my people but they me. Because of the color of my skin they betrayed me” (Anzaldúa 44). The brown women are subjugated because of the color of their skin and are given limited options for their future. “Only three directions she could turn: to the Church as a nun, to the streets as a prostitute, or to the home as a mother” (Anzaldúa 39), these choices come set to what each requires and the women is supervised by the males who are dominant in the culture. The term “hociconas” and “callejeras” are only used to furthermore demise woman. In Anzaldúa case she is not only sold because of her skin color but because of her sexuality, a colored lesbian going against her religious upbringings as well as her cultures homophobia. To her culture she is the “ultimate rebellion” because she “made the choice to be queer”. She becomes a traitor to her culture but continues to “defend [her] race and culture when they are attacked” (Anzaldúa 43). She brings up the story of “La Malinche” because she is considered to have betrayed her people because she helped Cortez in conquering the Aztec Empire. She states the story also for the purposes of expressing how the women is silenced and negatively portrayed. La Malinche, “La Chingada” but also the mother of one of the first me mestizo is controlled and negatively portrayed because of the betrayal of her people.
ReplyDeleteEffective use of textual support. You elaborated on your quotes very well and were able to give a concise response to the prompt. I like how you said that she was like the "ultimate rebellion" because she went against her religious upbringing and tied it together to the malinche story.
DeleteIn Chapter Two of The Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldua analyzes the strong effects that culture has on the formation of individuals’ personalities, perceptions, and acceptance into society. People only see the “version of reality that it [culture] communicates” (Anzaldua 38). Because cultures are “made by those in power- men,” Anzaldua’s “Shadow-Beast” that rebelled against any form of outside authority meant that, according to her culture, “something was ‘wrong’ with her” (Anzaldua 38). Anzaldua changes the culturally defined protection of women to say that women are limited because they are feared. Women must be protected not only from outside forces but from themselves because they are more in tune with the undivine animal impulses. However, this protection creates mixed messages on what the ideal women should be: “strong, or submissive, rebellious or conforming” (Anzaldua 40). Any deviance seen in a society based on cultural norms would be met with defiance, violence, and fear. The discussion of half and halfs led creates the distinction that they are not suffering because of who they are; they are suffering from what everyone else wants them to be. The duality of society only allows anybody to be one or the other; no one is allowed to identify as both. The story of Malinche is brought up as an example of how society has looked down upon, and continues to demonize, the Indian element that is inherently present in Latinas. Latinas are only allowed to embrace one aspect of themselves; they must shy away from the contradictory elements of their personalities once a side is chosen. Anzaldua’s people had sold her out in the sense that there was never an acceptance of all parts of herself; at any given point in her life, some part of her was fought against and she herself continued to fight for her complete self in her culture and society.
ReplyDeleteI like how you expressed the importance of culture and then transitioned to how it affects women and Anzaldúa.
DeleteAnzaldua believes that her people (those who embrace and those who resist white dominant culture) sell her out by continuing to perpetuate the oppression of women. Those who have assimilated assume the patriarchal role that whites have over their women. Those who resist only glorify their culture's attributes, even those which repress women. Her people have sold her out because they refuse to accept her as a lesbian and a voice; she has taken charge of her sexually and demands to be heard when she speaks. Anzaldua brings up the story of Malinche as an example of how taboo it is in cultures for a woman to choose her own path. Because Malinche used her skills of interpretation which in turn helped the Spanish conquer the Aztecs, she is viewed as a traitor. The civilization fell from her wickedness as woman are supposed have only,"humility and selflessness" (Anzaldua 40). As with the story of Eve and the apple tree, women are constantly reminded of their mistakes and how important it is for them to be submissive to the structure men have made. Of course then, Malinche would experience "homophobia", having fear of returning to the structures she had disobeyed to seek and create her own destiny; "The worst kind of betrayal lies in making us believe that the Indian woman in us is the betrayer" (Anzaldua 44). In this way cultures do betray women, as they enforce a dual sexism which stifles the feminine's sexuality in addition to racial discrimination: "Because of the color of my skin they betrayed me" (Anzaldua 44). When thinking of how American society functions, there is the white man at the top and beneath him the white woman, beneath her "colored" males and at the bottom "colored" females. Both patriarchy and religion reinforce this system and leave "colored" women to suffocate as everyone's ultimate scape goat as the bitter and resentment all trickle down to drown them. In turn, it also can be stated that these "colored" women carry everyone," battered and bruised she waits, her bruises throwing her back upon herself and the rhythmic pulse of the feminine" (Anzaldua 45). Women are the true keepers of culture seeking to re-establish what has been stomped, the feminine, and Anzaldua feels that she herself has been sold out by the people's resistance to it.
ReplyDeleteI love the way this flows. Your use of vocabulary is exceptional! Very well said. The themes of sexuality and Race are tied in well.
DeleteRamon Herrera
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldúa, Anzaldúa claims her people “sold her out” because of their lack of acceptance in her as a woman especially as a lesbian. Anzaldúa, however, read books with revolutionary ideas and “made the choice to be queer” because it is a “path of knowledge-one of knowing (and of learning) the history of oppression of [her] raza” (41). In choosing not to conform, Anzaldúa challenges her culture in an attempt to call for justice. This life altering decision results in creating a fear of “being abandoned by the mother, the culture, la Raza” that the writer dubs “homophobia…the fear of going home” (Anzaldúa 42).
The Malinche’s story is another of betrayal and lies, as it causes Mexican women to believe that “the Indian woman in us is the betrayer”, and to work to distance ourselves from her as much as possible (Anzaldúa 44). Anzaldua claims that culture betrays women as it belittles them in comparison to how women see/ take pride in culture. With her claim, Gloria Anzaldúa attempts to explain that she did not betray her people, but her people were the ones that betray her. While she defends her race and culture, all her culture has ever done to her in return is attempt to banish her for living outside the cultural norms.
I really liked how you explained why the story of Malinche was placed in this chapter. You did a well job explaining everything else as well.
DeleteI really like your response and how you were able to incorporate the writers own lifestyle into your answer. However, I feel it would be more effective if you would have been able to find similarities between the way Mexican and Anglo culture depict lesbians and people of the sort and relate it to how they look at the malinche, besides the fact that both are not really embraced and looked upon negatively due to being different, we are overlooking that both have women that chose to do what they felt was right for them but the men didn't condone.Overall however, very good points and effective use of the book.
DeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua, Anzaldua illustrates how women in the Latin@ community have been marginalized due to the patriarchy in society. Anzaldua talks about how in her culture women are expected to value the system that has been created by men. Any woman who speaks out is a "mujer mala" and to be a "good woman" she must stay a virgin until she is married (Anzaldua 39). Anzaldua breaks the norms set by the "culture" (men) and for that reason is "sold", or not accepted. La Malinche serves as an example of how women have been portrayed poorly in order to maintain a patriarchal power system. Cultures betray women because cultures are created by men. Cultures are social expectations and norms that are instituted in order to maintain a certain hierarchy, and in most cases that hierarchy keeps the men above the women. Culture keeps women in defined, rigid roles and dictates how a woman is allowed to act. (Anzaldua 39).
ReplyDeleteVery well written but i think it's also important to note some of Gloria Anzaldúa's reasons for needing to condemn women, such as their seemingly mystical abilities to create life, how they bleed once a month but do not die from it,etc, as the cultural restrains seem to be created from fear as we can see that even now, women are the ones taking the lead in Latin@ studies and their social and economic conditions, thus threatening the social positions of men again.
DeleteAnzaldúa claims that “Not me sold out my people but they me” because she is not that accepted by her Mexican culture one reason being that she “made the choice to be queer” (41). She decided to go against her culture and take her own route in life. the story of malinche is brought up because Malinche was used as an interpreter and aided the Spanish in the conquest of Mexico. She was playing the submissive role of the woman that is accepted rather than what Anzaldúa did. Culture in a way do betray women because they can take advantage of them .
ReplyDeleteYou bring up interesting points however you should try to make your ideas flow as you answer the questions instead of simply answering the blog.
DeleteI agree with the fact the Anzaldua feels like she has been "sold out" because of her lifestyle choices, however I do not agree that Malinche is mentioned simply because she helped aid in Spanish conquests. There is no doubt that that is true, but I believe that she is mentioned because she is considered disloyal and a betrayer because she was also a spanish conquistadors mistress.
I do not think that she is trying to say that she is being sold out solely because she is queer. I do not think this chapter is about the struggle of queer woman in Mexican culture. I think Anzaldua is saying women aren't allowed to do anything that hasn't been predetermined for them. They can only be a nun, a prostitute, or a mother. Those are the "only three directions she could turn" (39). I think the larger issue is that she was sold out for being a woman that got an education and became independent, which in her culture was an act of rebellion.
DeleteI like your arguments, but I disagree that Anzaldua "decided to go against her culture." I think her culture went against her, because she was a strong, independent woman.
DeleteAnzaldua did not sell her people because she went against her own culture and what it defined as “normal”. While she stands up for her people from non-mexicanos and questions her own values in order to protect her people, especially the women that should stand behind her she ends up being rejected. Her home is no longer her home the moment she realized she was lesbian. She became homeless for sole reason that her sexuality did not go with what culture states as normal. While the culture gives mixed signals, “no voy a dejar que ningun pelado desgraciado maltrate a mis hijos” (Anzaldua 40), it also states that the role of the woman is to be submissive to her husband. The fourth option of “entering the world by way of education and career” should not be limited to a few. A culture should serve as the backbone of an individual and community. Due to its massive power it is now used as a weapon of limitations and control. The story of Malinche serves as a constant reminder of the consequences that result from women having any sort of power. The issue arises when women believe this tale and silence their uprising.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2, Gloria Anzaldúa claims that her people sold her out because they conformed to, and therefore perpetrated, a culture that traps women into being “faceless and voiceless” (Anzaldúa 45). The culture that men created puts women in a place where they either have to obey and serve men or rebel and be ostracized. There is no room for women to embrace their differences and explore the world. Anzaldúa acknowledges the oppressive nature of her own culture through the story of Malinche. The story is used to remind Chicanas that the Indian blood in them makes them betrayers. They are made to “police the Indian in us, brutalize and condemn her,” (Anzaldúa 44). Through forming a culture like this that makes women oppress themselves, men maintain the dominant position. “Culture (read males)” (Anzaldúa 39) betrays its women by depriving them of a way to make a life for themselves and instead making them live for a man. The only place rebellion will get a women is a life of solitude: “aquí en la soledad prospera su rebeldía. En la soledad Ella prospera,” (Alzaldúa 45).
ReplyDeleteYour response is very well said. It is easy to understand your answers and well explained. You connect Anzaldua's personal experience with the story of Malinche very well. You use the quote in your last sentence very effectively to prove your points.
DeleteIn Chaper 2 of the Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldua focuses on women, the sex that is considered to have no power and expected to be submissive to men. Towards the end of the chapter, Anzaldua states that her people sold her out, despite being a "turtle" and carrying them on her back (Anzaldua 43). Being a brown Latina and a homosexual woman, Anzaldua feels that despite having always defended her culture and home when attacked, she is an outcast and has been sold into slavery by her own people for being colored and shunned amongst her own people for being a gay catholic. Anzaldua states that she is scared to go home because womens' strengths are "used against" them while men are praised for simply being macho, when in fact, women can been macho as well (Anzaldua 43). That is supported when Anzaldua tells the story of Malinche who is regarded as a hoe/prostitute because she was the mistress and "baby mama" of Hernan Cortes (a spanish conquistador) even though she also aided in the conquest of the Azteca Empire. The phrase "malinchista" which refers to a disloyal person derives from Malinche. Anzaldua faults her culture for the lack of loyalty to lifting up women which is leading them to believe that they are not valuable, questioning their self worth.
ReplyDeleteAzalia Martinez
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 2 of "Borderlands/ La Frontera: the New Mestiza", Gloria Anzaldua uses culture as an oppressor of women, in which she is sold out by her people for being a lesbian women. She did not sell out her people because if she had she would have become different to stray from her people but she emphasized her difference to embrace herself. Her "choice of being queer" was a act of revolution to change the perception of not only her culture but most importantly women (Anzaldua 41). Women are the ones that raise the children which would be the most logical way of ending the cycle of submisive women. Instead women themselves reiterate this when her mother says "se tienes que hacer lo que diga el hombre" (Anzaldua 40). These contradictions in Chicana culture are due to the Malinche which women tend to fear labeled as. La Malinche betrayed her tribe by helping the Europeans end with her tribe. la Malinche keeps women quiet.
I really like your point about how " La Malinche keeps women quiet" I had never really thought about it that way. You also supported your argument well as to why Anzaldua feels like her people sold her out and not the other way around.
DeleteI like how you brought up that even they be the traitor, women are still main ones raising children and maintaining the household. They are the ones basically maintaining order to the human race and yet they are still being treated wrongfully in not just their culture but in society as a whole.
DeleteIn chapter 2 of Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldua claims that her people sold her out. Her people sold her out in that the way women are supposed to behave within her chicana/ mestiza culture. Anzaldua's identity is "grounded in the Indian woman's history of resistance" (Anzaldua 43). Naturally, she was one to challenge and question social and cultural norms. Though Anzaldua was completely immersed in her culture, there were practices within her cultura that she abhored. She hated that "it cripples its women" (43). Women in her culture are expected to be submissive to men and have a gentle and quiet spirit, and she was against this standard that was held by her people. She also did not like that the culture she ws raised in was not acceptable towards homosexuals and those who do not conform to a sexual identity or gender, those who are "mita y mita, a deviation of nature that horrified"(41). Anzaldua understands that this is a part of her cultural identity, but she wants "an accounting with all three cultures- white, Mexican, Indian" (44). She wants to not be restricted in the way in which she culturally identifies because she is a border woman.
ReplyDeleteThe argument is really strong and the text you used supported your augment really well with ought making it overly cluttered.
DeleteYazmin Caballero
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin@ Literature 2/6B
The Latin@ culture contains "dominant paradigms, predefined concepts" (38), that when challenged by a woman subjugate her to shame which leads Anzaldua to claim that "not me sold out my people but they me" (44), when defining her rights and role as a woman. She recalls her childhood teachings of how a woman was to remain a virgin until marriage, and as a wife care for her husband and children. A woman had three routes, "to the church as a nun, to the streets as a prostitute, or to the home as a mother" (Anzaldua 39). Yet the son, the man, is taught to speak his mind, to "beat their wives for not obeying," to "make the rules" (Anzaldua 38). Anzaldua address this standard of men making rules and women following them as unjust, as the source of her felt betrayal, as "it cripples women [and] make macho caricatures of its men" (43). This is seen in the story of Malinche and how her affairs in Cortez's conquest were altered in deeming her a traitor instead of a savior and creator of the metizaje and the true betrayal belonging to her culture's influence on her story. In her claim, Anzaldua makes note that it is not she who has betrayed her culture with her beliefs and outspoken justice, as her"'home' [still] permeates every sinew and cartilage in [her] body" and she will "defend [it] when they are attacked" (43).
I like how you stated the reasons behind Anzaldúa's feelings of betrayal. Also, the quotes you used really supported your claims of the standards imposed on both men and women by the mainstream culture.
DeleteAnzaldúa claims that “Not me sold out my people but they me” because the way her culture acts it praises women for being submissive and giving up their own lives and liberty to serve their man. She states that “ill defend my race and culture...” [despite that] “..I abhor some of my cultures ways” (Anzaldua 43). She has not given up on her culture but her culture seemingly has given up on her as they paint her as the terrible person for trying to be herself and that is why she brings up the story of the malinche. It proves as an example that her culture breeds a negative example of the women and particularly of the dark-skinned indian woman that she is. Teaching the new generations to hate that type of woman, the type that took it upon herself to try to help cortes, who did not stay submissive to society and the males in it. In the mexican culture with being submissive and the anglo culture as well (37) coupled with religious teachings of submission, it becomes clear that structured cultures and the beliefs they hold usually have women under the imagined power of men and as such betray women.
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspective on the text, I agree with what you said and I feel like you explained and supported your claim well.
Deletethis is Brittany Lieber btw
DeleteBrittany Lieber 2/6B
ReplyDeleteIn Gloria Anzaldua's chapter one of Borderlands, she describes the borderland as a "vague and undetermined place created by the emotional residue of an unnatural boundary" (Anzaldua 25). This undetermined place is cause by the fact that the inhabitants of the area feel that they do not belong to either side of the border. The inhabitants face struggles everyday such as the subject of language. For example, the residents of the borderland by speaking English, are resented for assimilating to American culture and are seen as "sell-outs" by the Mexican culture. At the same time, because of the Borderland inhabitants ability to speak Spanish they are seen as lowly immigrants to American society by Americans. Since just on simple matters such as language the people of the Borderlands are unable to identify with either culture, considering they are a hybrid of both, and are forced to become their own population, and therefore struggle for their sense of identity, self, and belonging as time goes on.
Brittany Lieber 2/6B
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two of Gloria Anzaldua's Borderlands, she rejects the social norms that her culture and society tries to cast upon her. The mexican culture of which her society followed, is a patriarchal society of which the women are oppressed and forced into submission to the males of society. Anzaldua challenges these norms by not only being a lesbian, but by simply being a woman with a voice. “Under the personality that had been imposed on [her]” (Anzaldúa 38) Anzaldua explores the fact that she becomes "sold" by her people because she did not fit the imposed personality, instead she fought it. This made her culture leave her alone and ostracize her from the society she fought and defended as she grew up, thus she felt betrayed and hurt when they she was sold. La Malinche on the other hand was the woman that betrayed her culture to the Europeans, which if the Malinche story was applied to Anzaldua here, Anzaldua's society would be Malinche becuase they betrayed her and tried to suppress Anzaldua and keep her ideas and beliefs hushed.
In chapter 2 of Gloria Anzaldua's "Borderlands" she reflects on her culture has "sold" her out as it expects woman to be complacent and and value a system that gives men power to create rules and expects woman to happy comply with them. This is shown when it comes to religion as Anzaldua state that the church oppress woman as it teaches that "woman are subservient to males" (Anzaldua 39). Anzulda also points out that in her culture woman are given three career choices: be a nun "sell" yourself God, a prostitute and sell yourself to many men or be a mother and "sell" yourself to your husband. While the act of selling could be physical or metaphorical all three of theses causes force woman to give up their power they have over their sexuality to men. This kind of culture betrays woman as it deams woman who take controls of their sexuality as selfishness and condemns it. This is why being a lesbian of color is considered to be " the ultimate rebellion"(41) becuse this is seen as a threat to the patricalc e system created by the culter that has gained its power through the oppression of women sexuality. If men have no influence over a woman sexuality, they lose the power over women which is why homosexuality is condemned as a sin. Men cannot understand that a woman can be sexual without a man being their to validate her sexuality. This reflects how the cuture has sold out woman to men by oppressing then and condemning anything that empowers woman, calming it is selfish , sinful and unnatural. Men believe woman are "carnal, animal" (39) and a evil danger to humanity that must be controlled, as they hypociticaly condem woman for being selfish and power hungery. It begs th question who is truly the selfish ones?
ReplyDeleteThe Culture Anzaldua describes has betrayed women, "Males make the rules and laws; women transmit them." (Anzaldua 38) In Anzaldua's Mexican Tejano community women are the police the enforcers of culture, but it is not a police state. Men are the legislators that make rules to be enforced by the women. When a woman transgresses these rules she is beaten by her husband and also cast out of collective female favor. The women hate the outcast for not following the rules the rest of the police-force follow. These mother-police tell their sons to "beat their wives for not obeying them" and never question whether its right or wrong. Morality is a question for the male power structure.
ReplyDeleteWomen as enforcers are taught to "police the Indian in us, brutalize and condemn her." (Anzaldua 44) La Malinche (or Malintzin) is dishonored for betrayal of her race. Her story is used and passed down as another way to ensure male dominance of culture. Anzaldua no longer wants to think in this constrained view point. Anzaldua "was totally immersed in mine [culture]" and for that reason she can breakaway without any sense of guilt. She will not glorify what has oppressed her, and if she finds no freedom on any side she will make her own space, that's what the borderland is for. La Malinche made a new race and was abhorred for it, this reflects Anzaldua's rebellion.
Matt, I likes the part where you takes about how she will not glorify the oppressive parts of her culture. I really appreciate her frank view on Mexican culture and her not just accepting things for what they are. This is something I haven't seen in many Mexicans, as many I have personally encountered ignore our patriarchal structures in the name of pride.
DeleteMatthew, I like the evidence you found to support the claim that women have been betrayed by their culture. La Malinche is a good example of how culture is the one who betrayed, not the female figure. I like that you point out Anzaldua's mentality that she can break away from her betraying culture and not feel guilty because she is reconstructing where she comes from, not throwing it away. This is something that I myself didn't quite grasp completely when I was reading chapter 2.
DeleteFabian Ramos
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin American Literature-4th Period
May 19, 2014
In the second chapter of “Borderlands/ La Frontera”, author Gloria Anzaldúa claims that it was not she who sold out her culture, but her culture who sold out her. In being a homosexual woman, Anzaldúa was “othered” from her culture founded on catholicism. This mainstream culture raised women to submission and attempted to erase the “indian woman’s history of resistance” and Anzaldúa herself when she refused to abide by her “cultures ways” (Anzaldúa 43). In her deviance from the mainstream culture, Anzaldúa feared the break from the “mother culture, La Raza” (Anzaldúa 42). This fear of Anzaldúa’s is a parallel to the story of La Malinche, the “woman who sold out her people to the Spaniards” (Anzaldúa 44). Similar to Anzaldúa’s identity as a border woman, La Malinche was trapped between cultures, which through her divergence resulted in her being the mother to a new race and culture. La Malinche nor Anzaldúa betrayed their respective cultures, because in order to exist as a traitor they would need to have initially existed as an integral part of that culture.
While she feels very in touch with her Mexican culture, Anzaldua still acknowledges the oppression and mal treatment of women within this culture, and feels betrayed. "Women are at the bottom of the ladder one rung above deviants". (Anzaldua 40) She brings up the story of la Malinche, or Malinali, because she is seen a a traitor to her people. She was a princess from an opposing tribe (opposed to the Aztecs) who learned Castellano, married Hernan Cortes and sold out the Aztecs. She is the beginning of a long line of women who have been demonized by her own people. I do have to agree with Anzaldua. Latino cultures, especially Mexican, "sells out" their women. The Latina woman is often times marginalized and looked down upon, taking both hits for her gender and race.
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua claims that she was "sold out" because of her culuter’s lack of acceptance of her femininity and sexuality. Because of her catholic upbringing she felt scared in returning home to establish her sexuality as that being of an untraditional sexuality. She feared being outlasted and labeled as a “mujer mala” (anzaldua 39). She brings up the story of the machine to further emphasize the worst type of betrayal by her culture onto that of the Indian woman. These ideas stem from the male dominated culture which causes Mexican women to believe that “the Indian woman in us is the betrayer”, and to work to distance ourselves from her as much as possible (Anzaldúa 44).
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldua discusses how her people “sold” her and even “betrayed” her because she suffers within her own culture. She is an outsider in her culture because of her sexuality. Culture rejects women like Anzaldua because of her need to rebel instead of accepting the position they want her to take as a women. However, Anzaldua claims, “My Chicana identity is grounded in the Indian woman’s history of resistance,” (Anzaldua 43). Compared to most Latina women’s silence, Anzaldua has the ability to rebel brought about in her roots. In the story of Malinche, Malinche contributes to the creation of mestizaje because of her relationships to Europeans that come and conquer her people’s land. Therefore she betrays her own culture for another. Latina women are often looked down on and silenced; therefore, they do not have the ability to create an identity.
ReplyDeleteJuan Capilla 2/6B
ReplyDeleteGloria Anzaldúa, as a woman and as a lesbian is seen as a rebel within the Mexican community. Gloria's culture condemns her for pursuing a life of more freedom rather than sticking to the traditional roles of a woman, "to the Church as a nun, to the streets as a prostitute, or to the home as a mother"(Anzaldúa 39). The men in her society attempt to restrain her since she is a threat, as a woman who she can give men their power and respect through sex, she is a mystical force which "bleeds every month but does not die", and as the one who with the ability to perpetuate this restraint.Thus, she is sold out by her people, despite always attempting to keep her culture, while also attempting to push away the aspects that disempower her as a chicana "Yet in leaving home i did not lose touch with my origins because lo mexicano is in my system,"(Anzaldúa 43). La Malinche becomes a justification for the condemnation of women within the Mexican community as a woman and a traitor "Whore, prostitute, the woman who sold out her people to the Spaniards are epithets Chicanos spit out with contempt"(Anzaldúa 44), similar to Eve's consumption of the apple from the Garden of Eden. Women are forced to view themselves as inevitably traitorous in a historical and religious context, so that they must be the ones to carry on the culture rather than attempt to change or attack it. The Mexican culture, as well as many others use such warnings to restrain the power of women, who can populate the earth, which they fear.
In chapter two, Anzaldua states "Not me who sold out my people but they me" because she was othered by her culture for being a lesbian (Anzaldua 45). Her culture is very deeply rooted in the Catholic religion, so her lesbianism was viewed as a form of rebellion. However, it was not only her sexuality that caused her culture to "sell her" but also her refusal to be submissive to the male population. Cultures do betray women, because of the mixed signals they send, are women to be "strong, or submissive, rebellious or conforming?", and then get mad when women cannot be all at once. (Anzaldua 40). Anzaldua did not betray her culture by leaving because "lo mexicano" is in her system and it goes wherever she goes. She brings up the story of Malinche because like herself, she was a border woman caught between two cultures and forced to make a choice. Anzaldua's culture betrayed her by making her believe the "Indian woman in us is the betrayer" when her identity is deeply rooted in her Indian ancestry (Anzaldua 44).
ReplyDeleteI don't think Anzaldua's culture betrayed her. I believe that no culture intentionally tries to betray a single individual. I feel that Anzaldua's people are simply doing what they know to be best for the reason that this cultural way of life is also traditional and it has been impounded in them and instilled in them for so many generations.
DeleteI liked how you pointed out the characteristics of women that cultures demand. This shows how easy women get pressured and soon become oppressed if they do not comply with those demands. I also enjoyed your contextualization of Anzaldua's lesbianism and how she was a depiction of Malinche in the eyes of her culture.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your response. Before reading your response, I didn't think about how her lesbianism affected the way that her culture viewed/interacted with her. Also you did a great job incorporating the quotes into your response!
DeleteIn Chapter 2, Gloria Anzaldua claims "Not me sold out my people but they me" meaning that she defends her culture "when it is attacked by non mexicanos"(Anzaldua 43) and keeps her mexican culture however she does not agree with the way her culture treats women including herself. Anzaldua describes her culture as a male dominated culture in which men set up the rules and women must be submissive to the rules set up by men. She describes the oppresion she faces because her lesbianism is not accepted in the cultural norms and because she refuses to follow the roles a woman is supposed to take such as marrying and having children. Anzaldua then mentions the story of La Malinche, the indian woman who betrayed her culture to aid the spanish in their conquest. This story is supposed to be a justification for why their is oppression towards women and the empowerment of men.
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua claims that "Not me sold out my people but they me" for the reason that she constantly remained true to who she was and her identity. Anzaldua herself states that "At a very young age I had a strong sense of who I was and what I was about and what was fair" (38). Anzaldua claims that her people sold her out for the reason that she embodies everything that her people try so hard to stray away from. Anzaldua is a lesbian and a feminist, therefore she inevitably refutes all the ideologies of Catholicism and traditional Mexicano culture. She said it herself, that "Nothing in my culture approved of me" (38) according to Anzaldua's culture something was "wrong" with her for the reason that she has an innate sense of rebellion. In reality, all cultures that adhere to the "dominant culture" shun women like Anzaldua and Malinche, for the reason that these women are feared for being so powerful. A whole race of people was created from Malinche's so called "betrayal" and Gloria Anzaldua changed history in her short period of life. When women remain true to who they are and live up to their full potential it evokes fear in men. Hence the reason why society and all cultures who adhere to the "dominant culture" oppress women through the use of Catholicism and the "Dominant culture".
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua claims that “Not me sold out my people but they me” (43) because she feels sort of contradicted in defending culture so fervently that has also both shunned her and oppressed her. As an educated, lesbian, unwed Latina she has gone against several cultural norms and as a result as much as she loves her culture she realizes that her culture does not lover back- “ So yes, though ‘home’ permeates every sinew and cartilage in my body, I too am afraid of going home” (43). So it is her culture so stuck on old, conservative views that has sold her out- she who has fought so much for it and not the other way around. Anzaldua also makes a point to point out that she recognizes that her culture is not without flaws as it too is guilty of the same kind of oppression put upon it by Anglos. Anzaldua states- “conozco el malestar de mi cultura.. How its cripples its women, como burras” (43). She brings up the story of Malinche because of how prevalent her story of betrayal is in the Mexican culture- she is used constantly as an example by machista men as to why women are not to be trusted so much blame is put on her for selling out the Aztecs to the Spanish, but people forget that she was betrayed herself.
ReplyDeleteI really love your argument and your overall response. I would just suggest to proofread a little bit and cut out some bits that break up the flow, like when you say "make a point to point out," maybe use a different word instead of point the second time.
DeleteI liked the way you worded the beginning of your argument. It was similar to the point I was trying to get across. I agree that Anzaldua feels betrayed by her people even though the Latino culture would consider her the person betraying the culture. It's interesting how she sets aside all feeling of betrayal as she defends her Latino culture.
DeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands Anzalua states that "not me sold out my people but they me" (43) because she continues to defend her race and culture especially when it is attacked by non-mexicanos despite how her culture "cripples its women, como burras, [their] strengths used against [them] (43). Her culture is set up by men and enforced by women inhibiting her from progressing. Anzaldua brings up the story of malinche to strengthen her argument of culture betrayal against women. As a child Anzaldua would "pass hours studying, reading, painting, writing...and took a daily beating" (38) for not complying to her culture's expectations to clean up after the men in her family. In this way culture betrays women, only making it acceptable for men to freely explore and become knowledgable while "la mujer tiene que hacer lo que le diga el hombre" (40) and being labeled as "malinche" if she acts otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThis quote stuck out to me when I was reading the chapter. I really like your explanation of how it relates to why she is sold out by her culture.
DeleteGloria Anzaldúa claims, “not me sold out my people but they me,” (Anzaldúa 43) meaning that, as a woman who has deviated from her culture’s expectations, she is seen as betraying her culture when, in actuality, her culture has betrayed her by giving her limited options in her life. “The dark-skinned woman has been silenced, gagged, caged, and bound into servitude” (44) and given the options of being a nun, prostitute, or mother (39). Anzaldúa chose a fourth option, that of education and independence. By not being a “good woman” (39) by her culture’s standards, Anzaldúa has betrayed her culture. However, she argues that by oppressing women, her culture has actually betrayed her. Malinche, or Malinali, was also seen as betraying her culture by essentially joining a different culture. Anzaldúa argues that denying women the freedom to do such things is itself, a betrayal. Not all cultures betray women by creating unreasonable standards to live by; however, for the most part, widespread cultures have done this.
ReplyDeleteKatia, I admire the fluidity in your response and how you eloquently related Anzaldúa's deviance to Malinche's. Your textual references supported your argument and overall it was very well constructed.
DeleteThe Malinche represents the tyranny and betrayal of a woman towards the indigenous people, often used to exemplify a the bad woman. However it was the power of understanding that helped Malinche accomplish to communicate among both the Spanish at the Native and allowing her functioning in any level she choose.The power of Malinche became the element of which men feed of too construct the character of evil in order validate themselves.Similar to the way that Azaldua feels like she has been sold out by her own people. Failing to fit the status quot her sexuality being complete with out the need of a male, has made her the villain of the story and the tyrant of the people.As Malinche in the time of conquest helping anew generation form Gloria Anzaldua achieves to form with in her self a new mestiza.
ReplyDeleteI like how you related the story of malinche to Anzaldua and the oppression caused by males. This shows that man has oppressed woman even if she stands aside him and helps him achieve his own goals.
DeleteGloria Anzaldua says "Not me sold out my people but they me" (43) because from the traditional point of view her people would think that she sold them out. She did not become a nun, a prostitute, or a mother (which "for a woman of her culture" (Anzaldua 39) are the "only three directions she could turn (39)) instead she became a well educated working woman. This, in the eyes of her culture is an act of rebellion and "If a woman rebels she is a mujer mala" (Anzaldua 39) because "If a woman doesn't renounce herself in favor of the male, she is selfish" (Anzaldua 39). So, according to cultural beliefs she has abandoned and sold out her culture, but what Anzaldua is trying to say is that she never sold out her culture, and this act of labeling her a sell out and a "Mujer Mala" (39) is selling her out. It is trying to make her feel ashamed for being a woman. That is why she needs to make the clear distinction that she did not sell out her people but her people sold out her.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting point of view, one that I understand but did not notice as I was reading. Very well written, I was able to clearly follow what you were trying to say.
DeletePatriarchal cutlures (including both the Anglo and the Chicano cultures) often label women who attempt to liberate or explore themselves as traitors. This is because female self-liberation threatens the established, male-dominated society. "[My culture] keeps women in rigidly defined roles." (Anzaldua 39). However, Anzaldua argues that she did not betray her people by questioning this unfair hierarchy, but her culture betrayed her by creating the hierarchy in the first place. "Deviance is whatever is condemned by the community." (Anzaldua 40).
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua describes women in her culture as the victims of a patriacrhcal system designed to keep women at bay while extending the men's power and dominance. She does not have the freedom she wants in her culture to be who she wants to be. "What I want is an accounting with all three cultures -- white, Mexican, Indian. I want the freedom to carve and chisel my own face, to staunch the bleeding with ashes, to fashion my own gods out of my entrails. (Anzaldua, 44)"
ReplyDeleteShe brings up the story of Malinche because due to her betrayal to her people during the spanish conquest, that term, malinche, has been used to call others whores and prostitutes. It is also a part of Anzaldua's Indian identity and she and other chicanas, must carry that stigma around with them and make the best with it.
In chapter two, Anzaldua reiterates the concept of culture and what cultures expect from women, expectations brought on by men. She describes this throughout the chapter as her depiction of how women are oppressed and victims of patriarchal cultures. "The culture and the Church insist that women be subservient to males." (Anzaldua 39) Anzaldua does not present herself to her culture through this concept, instead she rebels from the concept overall. Through her rebellion, her culture refused to accept a woman who deviated from their customs. Not only did she refuse to marry a man, but she revealed her sexuality. "For a woman of color, the ultimate rebellion she can make against her native culture is through her sexual behavior." (Anzaldua 41) Homosexuality goes against the morals of her culture, which is why they "sold" her. In the chapter, Anzaldua brings up the term, la malinche. The term is used to oppress women through the "virgin whore" concept. Terms such as these betray women when used in cultures, for they depict women as traitors from their own people.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldua states that, "Not me sold out my people but they me" (43). She writes this because throughout her life, Anzaldua is completely immersed in her culture. Her culture is something she is very proud of, "I did not lose touch with my origins because lo mexicano is in my system" (43), it is an integral part of her. However, her culture betrays her because it reinforces patriarchy. "It cripples its women, como burras, our strengths used against us..." (43). Anzaldua's people have "sold" her because Anzaldua states, "I'll defend my race and culture when they are attacked.." (43) but her culture does not value her or her opinions, and they would not fight for her. Anzaldua includes the story of Malinche because it is an example of the ultimate betrayal. This is due to Mexican culture condemning the India in all women. The Malinche is portrayed as a whore, a prostitute, making women believe that the Indian in them is the betrayer.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the way you showed how torn Anzaldua is by her culture. While she loves her origins she also recognizes the ugly truth that women have been oppressed for far too long.
DeleteAnzaldua feels sold out, because although she has grown up in her culture with a deep sense of her Mexican identity, she is ultimately ostracized. Her value is degraded as her emphasis on scholarly work is looked down upon because she strays from three connotations placed upon women: mother, nun, or prostitute. She defies all of these contradictions, and is viewed as a "loqueria" (41) since her culture refuses to accept or create another space for what she is. Her reference to Malinche is due to the negative connotation of the woman, as soon as a woman also rebels, she is seen as a traitor, and thus a sell out. Cultures to betray women. Certain predispositions are placed upon them as they always seen as the "evil" and the "Shadow-Beast" because they are what are recognized as the bad in men. Her whole position is compromised because she does not fit any of the traditional views, thoughts, or ideas of her culture, thus making her an outsider.
ReplyDeleteAnzaldúa’s culture is led by men who use her strength against her. These men attempt to coerce her into believing her only virtue is the ability to serve men. Anzaldúa voices her cultures betrayal against women, “Not me sold out my people but they me” (43). Anzaldúa refutes the gender roles that are placed on her by male supremacists, and embraces her sexuality by self-identifying as “hieros gamos”: the coming together of opposite qualities within” (41). Anzaldúa states, “I will not glorify those aspects of my culture which have injured me and which have injured me in the name of protecting me” (44). Malinche’s deviance to her culture provides hope for women who hide their truths and wish to stoke their inner flame.
ReplyDeleteLatinos, as is the case with most minority cultures, are victims of cultural and social oppression in the United States. This forces each Latino individual in our society to embrace their culture, because otherwise they would have no support group to rely on. When Latinas are forced to remain a part of their culture as a means of security, they are forced to accept the oppression their culture imposes upon them. "The culture expects women to show greater acceptance of, and commitment to, the value system than men." (Anzaldua 39). However, Anzaldua states that Latino culture is inherently sexist. "The culture and the Church insist that women are subservient to males." (Anzaldua 39). Because Anzaldua is expected to adhere to her Latin culture, she considers the sexism, homophobia, and general female/queer oppression of that culture to be a betrayal. She has not betrayed her culture because she has been forced to embrace it. Her culture has betrayed her by not responding to her embrace with acceptance or security.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas but I feel that you forgot to mention Malinche which has a lot to do with the differences of how women and men are seen within the Latino culture. However everything was well said and supported.
DeleteIn chapter 2 of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua she says her people have sold her put by not embracing the fact that she is a lesbian. Her people have rejected her because of her resistance to conform to the cultural norms. Mexican culture requires woman to submit themselves to men amd to the roles that are assumed by woman. Malinche, which in Mexican tongue means "twisted grass", is used as a reason to why woman are oppressed. The Malinche silences women, she hides the womens ability to defy males empowerment.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two of Borderlands, Anzaldúa claims that "not me sold out my people but they me" (Anzaldúa 44). When Anzaldúa says that her people sold her out, I believe that she is basing her argument off of gender roles amongst Latinos. Anzaldúa states "at a very early age I had a strong sense of who I was and what I was about and what was fair" (Anzaldúa 38). The author proceeds by stating, "I was "lazy" [as a child]. Instead of ironing...or cleaning..., I would pass my hours by studying" (Anzaldúa 38). Due to the fact that Latinas are expected to be completely submissive to the men in their life, it was not expected for Anzaldúa to excel academically. Anzaldúa alludes to the fact that in past generations Latina women had three life paths, becoming a nun, prostitute, and mother. This again proves that the Latino culture continuously betrays women, and the many talents that they are forced to oppress.
ReplyDeleteWhile Gloria says she'll "defend her race and culture when attacked by non mexicanos", she recognizes the oprresion present in her Mexican culture and believes her people have sold her out by insisting woman are subservient to men and rejecting her true sexuality. (Anzaldua 43) The mother, prostitute, nun complex is common practice in her culture and Gloria felt like this was a major betrayal to women so she chose a fourth option; to become educated and get a career. She mentions how Malinche has become the bad word for the whore that sold out her people to the Spaniards but contradicts that common belief and says the worst kind of betrayal is "making us believe that the Indian woman in us is the betrayer." (Anzaldua 44) The spirit of this Indian woman wishes to "fight for her own skin and a piece of ground to stand on." (Anzaldua 45) Gloria Anzaldua wants action against the oppressive ways of the culture that she so very loves.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, Anzaldua draws attention to the example of Malinche as an object of near-universal cultural revulsion by the descendants of the Mexicans she betrayed. She postulates that while attacks on her race/culture by "non mexicanos" are both devastating and inevitable, her own people have "sold" themselves, becoming complicit in their own oppression by culturally integrating misogynistic ideals such as the lack of a voice for women in government, and a nigh-instutionalized version of the Whore-Madonna Complex.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2, Anzaldua claims her people "sold her out" because the lack an understanding of her lifestyle. Aside from being a woman,whom automatically lacks power in the social hierarchy, she is also a lesbian. The Latino culture expects women to be submissive in general, but to men in particular. This is enforced it from an early age as evident in the Malinche story which scares women into silence. Anzaldua recognizes this part of her culture but also realizes that this fear is what makes women weak. She challenges this by accepting herself aside from what her people may think. With Anzaldua being content she is now able to embrace parts of her culture without any bitter feelings. She may have been disowned by her culture but she has not disowned it.
ReplyDeleteIsabella Aimone
ReplyDeleteSaldivar
Latin@ Lit period 4
Culture, no matter what culture, always has a way of betraying its women. Women are often seen as lesser because they need to stay home to take care of house hold chores and children. Because of this, they are often not given the same opportunities as men. Because Anzaldua is also a lesbian, she gets less power than if she was only a woman. The hierarchy that society has in place allows no room for women to hold a position of respect and power. Even though she still feels like she is part of her culture, she will never feel like she is accepted by it. Growing up surrounded by this identity it is hard for her to stray from it. But as soon as she declared herself a lesbian her culture wanted nothing more to do with her. Already holding a low point of power because she was a woman, she dug her whole even deeper and left no room for her to express herself with out being thoroughly oppressed.
Anzaldua is a powerful woman. She is confident, rebellious, and ground breaking. She carries this persona in her writing very well with the strength and boldness of her statements. The power in her statements make her opinions feel like facts, and really get her readers to understand what she is saying. When she discusses how her culture has sold her out through its age-old sexist traditions, she writes it with such a level of importance and confidence that I don't believe anyone with reason can argue against it. "How many times have I heard mothers and mothers-in-law tell their sons to beat their wives for not obeying them, for being [big mouths], for [going to visit and gossip with neighbors], for expecting their husbands to help with the rearing of children and the housework, for wanting to be something other than housewives?" (Anzaldua, 38). This style of writing ineffective because it shows how Anzaldua truly feels, and it seems as if she has been waiting a long time to say these things.
ReplyDeleteWhy 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!
ReplyDeleteAnzaldua's main focus in Chapter 2 is women. Women are perceived as humans with little to no power and expected to cater to men. She states she is like a "turtle" (Anzaldua 43) that carried her people on her back when she talks about how her people sold her out. She feels that her people have betrayed her because despite of her always defending them and her culture, she is shunned because she is a catholic lesbian. In the Latino culture being homosexual in a catholic household is unacceptable. There will always be harsh judgement and rejection within your own people and most hurtful, family. She states how she fears to go home because the strengths of a women are"used against" them because men are perceived superior next to women (Anzaldua 43). Women are suppose to cater for the men they are put before any woman in a household regardless of the situation. She uses the story of Malinche to discuss how men and women are judged differently when it comes to loyalty. A man can get away with unfaithfulness to their wife but a woman is seen as a whore/prostitute if she were to eve cheat on her husband. Anzaldua blames her culture for degrading women and not giving them the place in they deserve.
One of the focuses of chapter 2 is cultural tyranny, more specifically the treatment of women. The culture implemented a hierarchy that "protects" women by putting women at the bottom of the totem pole. In order to be protected, women have to become completely submissive to the idea male dominance. Malinche, an Aztec woman, is a figure within the culture who became know because of males need to protect women. Because of that she is now a controversial figure within the culture. The women's role is that of contradiction, passed on by the mother of the family. The mothers tell the females to not trust men and tell the men to beat their wives. The original mind set constructed by males have brainwashed the females into believing the gender roles are appropriate. The women's internalization of the ideology involving gender roles creates a lack of respect from men and themselves.
ReplyDeleteAnzaldúa, in chapter two of Borderlands, has been betrayed by her culture because she refuses to submit to a patriarchal society by taking control of her sexuality. Anzaldúa says that culture is "made by those in power-men"( Anzaldúa, 38), and because of this her culture expects women to submit to the will of men. As Anzaldúa mentions, women who do not obey the norms established by men are labeled as mujeres malas, such as a women who do not remain virgins until marriage. By identifying herself as a lesbian, Anzaldúa becomes the woman who "doesn't denounce herself in favor of the male"( Anzaldúa, 25) and is "selfish" for doing so. The story of La Malinche creates an image of the Indian in Mexicanas as a betrayer, a mujer mala. Anzaldúa, on page 44, identifies the three cultures that make her up: White, Mexican, and Indian. Just as she is denied her sexuality by her culture, Anzaldúa is denied the Indian inside her by her culture, and by embracing the Indian, La Malinche, Anzaldúa becomes the "betrayer", when she is the one being betrayed.
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