Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Anzaldua: The Serpent
Gloria Anzaldúa claims that western culture “made ‘objects’ of things and people when it distanced itself from them thereby losing ‘touch’ with them. This dichotomy is the root of all violence.” Why would this dichotomy/split became the root of violence? How is the making of people into objects the root of violence? Explain.
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While the goal of anthropologists to 'objectively' view cultures is a noble one, it can quickly become a slippery slope toward the objectification of people themselves. This mindset lessens the individuals within said cultures, giving them a subhuman status. The subhuman are not worthy of human moral concern, and so violence toward them is not as great a crime as violence toward humans. When Europeans encountered Amerindians with this mindset, the obvious occurred--extreme violence.
ReplyDeleteI really like your response, but I think you did not fully address the question of how the objectification of people is the root of all violence. I agree with what you said, but I would've liked it if you expanded your answer and mentioned something about violence in a broader context, not just violence due to an "objective" view of cultures.
DeleteI agree with Katia that your response did not explain why violence came out of dichotomy Anzaldua explains in her chapter. I would suggest to think about why uncertainty and disconnection cause fear and how that relates with the dichotomy
DeleteI thought your response was effective in that your point, that violence occurred because objectification made people seem "subhuman", was made. If I could suggest anything, it would be to relate it more to the given context (the chapter).
DeleteHow does the separation fit into cultures themselves, as opposed to among different cultures? I agree with how you said the dichotomy creates violence, I think you should expound on the effects more. And quotes would strengthen your argument and add more context.
DeleteGloria Anzaldúa states that the making of people into objects is the root of all violence. By objectifying each other, people lose sight of their humanity and empathy. Violent psychopaths are said to have no empathy and thus, have no compassion for their victims. In a way, this is indeed the cause of all violence—a lack of compassion and empathy. In a rage, people become violent when their anger overtakes their humanity. People react violently towards unknown people (“aliens”) due to their lack of understanding and compassion for those people. While, seemingly, there are various causes for all types of violence, it does appear that all violence actually occurs when people stop relating to each other and treat each other as mere objects.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your explanation, particularly for when you said with objectifying comes losing empathy and humanity. Without associating any type of feelings towards that person, it becomes a lot easier for people to treat others with violence and disrespect. It seems that people tend to objectify the unknown, which is why violence is often cast towards the unknown. After all, many say that compassion is the one thing that separates humans from animals, so when we lose that compassion we are no better off at resolving our issues than them.
DeleteWhen trying to view things objectively, members of a group will disregard their own personal opinion or bias, and solely base their judgment on the facts presented to them. By looking solely at the facts, everything else within the thought process is lost, including the ability to understand another’s perspective or to empathize with them. In terms of looking at a person from an outside group objectively, the outsiders are viewed upon without this type of empathy, which is why it ultimately leads to being distanced from them. With time, the members of the out-group become so alienated from the viewers that they are no longer seen as human beings. As time progresses and they begin “losing ‘touch’ with them” more, the differences between the two groups become more extreme than they actually are, leading to prejudice and overall hatred (Anzaldúa 59). This dichotomy is “the root of all violence” as it causes the viewers to feel hatred and alienated towards the outside group (Anzaldúa 59). For this reason, the objective viewers begin to develop a type of reasoning and logic without regard for others. As a result of this, in times of conflict from such a dichotomy human beings will be more willing if not eager to jump to violence, as killing of what they do not know or have any type of feeling for will appear to be the easiest solution at the time.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you identified the different stages that lead towards violence as a result of objectivity. It's interesting how something so simple as being objective can lead to violence because the main purpose of being objective is to eliminate the bias.
DeleteI like how you analyzed the acts of violence and their symbolism. It is a very well worded and clear response that answers the question fully.
DeleteThe western civilization primarily Europe made objects of people through its disconnection and misunderstanding of other cultures and people. Disconnection and ignorance brings fear to the human mind, humanity is afraid of what it does not know, because the western culture did not understand the native culture they feared it; in response to fear they dehumanized and made objects of the native people in order to justify the oppression and tyranny they emplaced on the natives. Anzaldua refers to this dichotomy as the root of violence, fear and dehumanization become the ingredients that allow people to attack and engage in violent affairs, for example a wolf in the wild attacks for two reasons in response to hunger and fear, because the wolf is an animal lives off instinctual behavior it possesses no self awareness; a wolf cannot be aware of other living things. In a perspective of a wolf any other living thing is regarded as an object that could either feed it or hurt it. A similar rule governs humanity with the difference that humanity possesses self awareness and so can distinguish an object form a living thing, but in the face of fear it becomes almost instinctual to lose the ability of self awareness and people become much like a wolf ready to engage in violent actions in defence, simply due to lack of understanding.
ReplyDeletei really like how you gave examples of the western world fearing and objectifying the natives because of their ignorance and how you say it is because of this ignorance of people that this division occurs
DeleteJasmine Madrigal
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin American/Latin@ Literature, 2/6B
May 21, 2014
Justifying Exploitation
In chapter three of Gloria Anzaldúa’s Borderlands, Anzaldúa argues that one when culture distances itself from another, objectification occurs that ultimately justifies acts of exploitation. To objectify an individual is to distance oneself from a person to the point where they are no longer seen as human beings with comparable experiences, and are regarded as inferior. When Western anthropologists examine Amerindian culture, they see their religious beliefs as indicating a “world of the imagination” that is a result of the “‘savage’ mind”, something to be noted though never considered (Anzaldúa 59). When those people are put on a level where they can be learned about, though never learned from, objectification has occurred. “Losing ‘touch’ with them” allows for a split, or dichotomy, to occur that becomes “the root of all violence” (Anzaldúa 59). This perception of inferiority provides the justification necessary for acts of exploitation to occur. Once individuals and their culture are able to be seen as inferior, it soon becomes acceptable to call them “non-human” and even “evil”, making violence seem reasonable (Anzaldúa 60). It was this objectification that enabled the Europeans to murder the Amerindians, and, unless people are taught otherwise, will allow for millions more to die as well.
This response gave me a another view on the prompt. I had thought that the violence referred to those oppressed but I like the way you explained the violence from the oppressors. This response is completely relevant in explaining the source of hatred in any racial context, that leads to things like genocide and continued successful oppression. Awesome job.
DeleteI really like the way you connected the idea of treating humans as objects as a justification to exploitation. Your response clearly explains how this dichotonomy is a root to violence and the murders of Amerindians by Europeans supports your argument.
DeleteI never thought about the prompt in this aspect before reading your response. When reading chapter three, there were mostly religious aspects that intrigued me. However, after reading your response I can see how you incorporated the oppressors' beliefs of their superiority. I really enjoyed your view point, it is a nice idea that differs from my thoughts.
DeleteLiving in a consumerist society can be very stressful. There is always something to do such as going to work or having to take care of the children. This type of life style lacks the time for imagination and spirituality to flourish. This concept is presented in chapter 3 of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua. According to Anzaldua this “Western culture made objects of things and people” (Anzaldua 59) which reflects the idea that life in western culture follows a pattern and a system rather than just being natural. By creating a system, this western society has established the norms of what is accepted and what is not. In this system there is no space for spirituality because it is governed by “reality of the rational, reasoning mode which is connected with external reality” (Anzaldua 59). Therefore those cultures who value spirituality are forced to conform to the norms otherwise they’re labeled as inferior. This is the case with the Mexican/Chicano culture where spirituality plays an important role in forming an identity. Once norms are established, violence arises because not everyone has the same beliefs. Most of the time, the options created by these norms are limited. For instance one can choose to conform but that would result in the loss of culture and possibly violence from those family members who do not conform. Another option is to ignore the norms but that would not change anything and could still lead to oppression and possibly violence from those who believe they are superior. The last option is to defy the norms, but that would definitely lead to violence because as it has been observed in history most revolutions are bloody. Therefore norms are restrictions that oppress those who have different beliefs which prevent the oppressed from living comfortably ultimately resulting in violence, and thus “this dichotomy is the root of all violence” (Anzaldua 59).
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you really showed the contradiction between western society and spirituality. I feel like when you were listing the options of what someone has in these situations towards the end you should of tried incorporating another quote to really tie it all together.
DeleteWhen one people objectifies another group of people they themselves strip away any empathy they may have for them in order to lose bias and disregard the humanity of the others. In this objectivity, one distances oneself, allowing for the people to be seen as as below you or sub-human. Once this happens it is seen as less of an atrocity to physically hurt the group as any compassion is retained/denied or something that seems below you. Also, when signs of humanity are taken away, often one imposes their own ideas/beliefs since none exists, as when Anzaldúa stated allowed "white reality to destroy the 'other world' " (58) in a sort of cultural violence.
ReplyDeleteChristian, interesting idea of how people are stripped from their humanity when they become objects and how they are seen as a blank canvas in order to impose ideas on. I agree that by making them object they are seen as less. I think you did a good job in answering the question.
DeleteI agree that empathy is taken away when people objectify another group but why would they objectify them in order to lose bias? I thought it was interesting the sort of example you gave pf cultural violence. I agree with it and definitely see where Anzaldua comes from when she made that comment.
DeleteWestern culture is based upon one important thing, ambition. The culture focused more on expanding and conquering thus taking control, than valuing their people. As a result the distance between people and culture leads to violence as Anzaldua stated. She explains that the Indian people believed in gods and were rooted deep in their beliefs. They never felt the need to revolt against the gods because they respected them and felt valued. Sacrifices were made in order to receive what was desired from the gods. In this case western government acted as the gods of the people and made them objects in order to control them. In western society anything other than what seem rational was thought to be the mindset and imagination of a savage. With no respect for their people the culture led to wars causing violence.
ReplyDeleteCompared to the other responses I've read I think you took a different approach to the question, talking more about the culture and religious tradition. Ultimately I think it is the same concept as others that I also agree with however it's more specific, which is helpful in understanding your point. I would suggest using some textual support though.
DeleteYour response was vague. You started your response talking about imperialism, but immediately switched to religion without a transition. Also, use textual support.
DeleteIn chapter three, Anzaldua explains how trying to be 'objective' can lead to the objectification of things and people and therefore "losing 'touch' with them" (Anzaldua 59). In order to be objective one must distance themselves from the other to clear their biases, however often the distance becomes too large and people become apathetic towards the subject (thing or person) they were trying to relate to. This dehumanizes the "other" and makes them unknown, therefore feared. Although curiosity of what is known as "the 'magical' mind, the 'savage' mind" arises it is still something feared of being real (Anzaldua 59). Fear causes a person to become defensive and on edge when approached, easily turning into violent acts. However this dichotomy is not only the root of physical violence but also hurtful and violent to the psyche of those being objectified. They are pushed into living in "the interface between the two, forced to become to adept at switching modes," causing a split in their identity.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you're coming from but I think you need to expand on your points more. Explain how trying to be objective leads to the objectification of things, and what "the objectification of things" implies. Also, I think the "split in their identity" needs a bit more explaining. I feel like it was thrown in and rushed.
DeleteFabian Ramos
ReplyDeleteMr. Saldivar
Latin American Literature-4th Period
May 21, 2014
In the third chapter of “Borderlands/ La Frontera”, author Gloria Anzaldúa declares the dichotomous objectification of the non-western people as the true root of all violence. In an attempt to become objective, the western culture omitted its own characteristics in its dealings with the non-western cultures, thus inhibiting the establishment of intercultural connections. This anthropological lens in which the western culture viewed the non-western people resulted in the cultures “losing touch”, ultimately sustaining the western fear of the unknown (Anzaldúa 59). In denouncing the non-western spirituality, the western culture stripped the non-western people of the very elements they perceived to characterize a human: the spirit and soul. While this objectification of the non-western people inevitably led to violence, the true violence between the opposing spiritualities existed among the non-western people themselves. Unable to “reconcile the two”, the non-western people spiritually fought to either honor their native practices or kneel to the conqueror's bible (Anzaldúa 60).
Good job Fabian, you truly explained everything well. You say the violence existed among the non-western people, one would think it primarily exists between western and non-western people versus within one group.
DeleteGloria Anzaldúa's idea that the root of violence is the distancing of culture from people and things. This statement can best be explained by our need to be around others "like us". When in a situation, we feel most comfortable surrounded by others who have similar reactions to stimuli as we do. When we distance ourselves from something or someone, we start to dehumanize them. By doing this, we no longer feel a connection to them and become uneasy in their presence. This weary feeling puts us on edge to what this person says or does and if a problem arises we no longer see them as human, they're only perceived as a "thing". This dehumanizing eliminates any empathy and allows us to be violent towards them with out feeling guilt. Some of the most violent serial killers such as John Christie, Carlton Gary, and Caleb McGillvary feel no guilt when they hurt others. This shows that by distancing ourselves from other people and things we become ignorant to the impact we have on others. When others become dehumanized, our violent actions towards them feel justified.
ReplyDeleteI really like your response. I like how you stressed how easy it is for we, as a people, to cause harm (physical/mentally/emotionally) to those who we share no emotional attachment with. I think that is a very interesting discovery, i never really thought about how easy we can talk down on those we do not know or just don't have a relationship, and how in doing that we are in a sense dehumanizing them while doing the same to ourselves.
DeleteI liked how you described how different situations and different relationships or simply perceiving people to be "like" us, it is easier to be around them. However, from your response I don't fully understand how the dichotomy of objectifying and losing touch is represented and how they relate to each other.
DeleteAnzaldua discusses how people are objectified as a result of a disconnect from dual consciousness. The "consciousness of duality" is the existence of a spiritual connection to our environment and the people around through the acknowledgement that spirituality is not something that exists "outside of our bodies or above our heads" (Anzaldua 59) but as an inner consciousness. The Western world has discouraged spiritual connectivity by labeling it as savage or superstition. Spirituality or religious practices that are considered "eccentric" have been stigmatized by society as seen in the Salem Witch Trials. What was once a society of blurred lines and borders united by spiritual connectivity, indifferent to color, sex, religion etc., evolved into a society dominated by Western disconnectedness. Instinctively, society replaced their inner spiritual connectivity with fear and felt the need to protect themselves against the unknown. The gap or lack of connectivity, abridged by fear, led to the objectification of people which results in a cycle of oppression and retaliation; a fight between the oppressors and those who are invisible or objectified.
ReplyDeleteDaryl Cordova
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter three of Borderlands Anzaldua argues that western culture split apart from certain objects and people and this inevitably led to violence. When you make something seem less valuable or valid you confront the conflict of strong feelings of dominance. One begins to believe its is greater than the other and simply puts them in a vulnerable position. "The male-dominated Azteca-Mexica culture drove the powerful female deities underground by giving them monstrous attributes and by substituting male deities in their place, thus splitting the female self and the female deities" (Anzaldua 49). In this patriarchal society men have established themselves on the top. This has led to plenty of rebellion against female oppression because of the injustice that has been placed on them. Splitting a culture eventually just leads to an unbalanced scale where one side believes they are better for an unjustifiable reason and they take advantage by manipulating social norms. This eventually leads us to a fight of moral rights against social norms.
Western culture and their institutionalized religion have dehumanized Amerindian by labeling them as being " ... 'primitive' ... and cannot think in the higher mode of consciousness-rationality" or in other words " 'savage[s]' " (Anzaldua 59). Being ignorant as they are they are unable to recognize or accept the fact that Amerindian religion focuses more on the soul rather than the physical or spiritual. " The Catholic and Protestant religions encourage... a split between body and the spirit and totally ignore the soul..." ( Anzaldua 59). These institutionalized religions have "... strict taboos against this kind of inner knowledge." (Anzaldua 59) because they see these practices as being un civil instead of seeing the beauty of how one is expressing their soul. By dehumanizing individuals and labeling them as savages, there will obviously be encounters of violence amongst the critics and the criticized.
ReplyDeleteThis response was well though out. I like how you focused on the religious aspect, because she elaborates on this matter throughout the entire chapter. Your last sentence was strong and made me think of this in a different lens, and justifies their actions.
DeleteIn chapter 3, Gloria Anzaldua argues that objectification causes cultures to become distant. For example, when the Western society did not understand the native’s culture they feared "the 'magical' mind, the 'savage' mind” (Anazaldua 59). Therefore, when “losing ‘touch’ with them” Westerners objectified the unknown triggering violence (Anzaldua 59). There was a loss of respect for each other’s culture due to the lack of effort to sympathize of one another. Each cultures people were willing to fight to find out which culture would come out superior.
ReplyDeleteI think your ideas are there but the argument is still very raw. I think this can spread out more to being not just the lack of sympathy but because they honestly never wanted such a thing to happen. This is explained by Anzaldua's reference that she must switch back and forth between these two worlds because ultimately they preferred clash than moderation.
DeleteI think your statement of objectification causing distances between cultures was well supported and presented. However I agree with Ruben in that your connections and analysis are at an incomplete stage in that you could add and elaborate more. (but the "bone"/foundation is there and great!)
DeleteThrough distancing oneself from something or someone, you are allowing your self to commit acts of violence towards them. You don't view them as equals, but as something below you, deeming them unworthy of your compassion. That's why so many people feel so comfortable stepping on things like bugs: they only view them as nuisances and not as actual life forms. When someone commits acts of violence towards someone, yet respects them, a form of cognitive dissonance is produced. To alliviete themselves of this discomfort, many alter their thoughts. This happens all the time around us. How does one get rid of the guilt that comes from hurting others? By dehumanizing them, reducing them to objects.
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis I liked the analogy you made a lot
DeleteI like your response. Very concise. You should use the text to support your claim. Also, really enjoy the analogy.
DeleteAs is true for most dichotomies and splits there are two sides to this one. The side that has perceived a person as an object and the object. The oppressor and the oppressed. Turning a person into an object is not a violent act. It is a very passive act. The subtle degradation of one's perception of another human being until they are no longer human. The violence comes after the objectification. Violence can happen on both sides in this split. The oppressor might see the oppressed as an obstacle or challenge or threat or resource and feel the need to control it, unburdened by the moral shackles of committing acts of cruelty on another human. On the other side the oppressed can become resentful of being treated like an object and may lash out at their oppressor or those around them. These two sides are the root of all violence.
ReplyDeleteI like your response. It is really unbiased as opposed to the author's points of view. Of course she's trying to send a message, but she is probably thrown in the same category as any other "whiny" Mexican (as Ana Castillo put it in her piece).
DeleteIn Chapter Three, Entering Into the Serpent, Anzaldua explains how Western culture, "made 'objects' of things and people" (Anzaldua 59) beginning with the Spaniards and Catholicism in the New World; These constructs forced the Amerindians and their religious practices into the roles of 'heathen' and 'primitive'. This effort in turn allowed the Western culture to, "distance itself from them thereby losing 'touch' with them" (Anzaldua 59) , since Christianity and new social hierarchies left no room for the indigenous. Instead, the natives were expected to conform to these inflexible institutions, "ignore, forget, kill those fleeting images of the soul's presence and of the spirit's presence" (Anzaldua 59) , which had previously constituted as their sacred beliefs. "This dichotomy is the root of all violence" ( Anzaldua 59) because it separates people from both others and themselves. Those forced into the shapes and forms created for them by dominant Western Society fight a constant internal battle of rational religion vs. spiritual consciousness. This in itself is a great violence against the oppressed; it kills them over and over again. Meanwhile, those confined in this system perpetuate the cycle of denial pressed against them ,and manifest these desires to sometimes physical extents. Therefore, isolation and continued repression of the individual's own type of spirituality develop into the violent and marginalized reality many Chicanos ( females, homosexuals, dark skinned, outcast, persecuted, and foreign as a well) face today. La facultad on the other hand is the only way to combat these circumstances that, "impoverish all life, beauty and pleasure" (Anzaldua 59), as it allows, "a shift in perception", which carries, "into awareness-an experiencing of soul, of Self" (Anzaldua 61).
ReplyDeleteI like how you went back and showed the growth of culture in Mexico to specify on the differences in cultures. I also find the concept of "rational religion vs. spiritual consciousness" because of the assumed connections Catholicism in the U.S as with spirituality yet attacks any different views on the spirit and soul.
DeleteAnzaldua points out that the root of all violence was when" western culture made objects of things and people," this then hinder the individual from reconnecting to itself (Anzaldua 59).The split forces the individual to switch between the two creating confusion and hinders the process to connect with the spirituality within. The institutions such as religion play a role in this as well. Azaldua goes to explain that Catholic and Protestant religions ignore the soul causing to have a disconnect.
ReplyDeleteSonia, I think you did a good job at explaining how the disconnect created by objectification causes confusion in an individual, but I think you need to further explain how this disconnect causes violence among others.
DeleteSonia- I think you did a good job in explaining how the violence is created by the disconnect. But i think you should explain more about the religion and what aspects of religion hinder women specifically. But overall, short,sweet and to the point!
Deletegood job
Gloria Anzaldua's argument that the root of all evil comes from this dichotomy is explained because of the fact that with this belief, people become less humane in theory. When you consider something as an object rather than a being, it develops the characteristics that it is dispensable and does not need to be acknowledged because it loses validity. Even with such symbols like La Virgen de Guadalupe, La Llorona and La Malinche, because they have become objectified by an imperialist order they were manipulated to represent only what the higher classes want to be heard. All sense of folkloric connection is lost but is not recognized. Thus, the 'true identity of all three has been subverted' (Anzaldua 53) to create these ideas of enduring oppression, avoiding our past, and accepting the rule of others.
ReplyDeleteI thought your response concerning the religious mothers and their objectification was very well done and provided good context. However, I thought the beginning of your response needed textual evidence as it seemed quite broad and made a lot of sentences that I don't see confirmed in the text.
DeleteThe most valuable thing on Earth is supposedly human life, the opposite of the living are the non-living, or objects. Often times dead bodies are misplaced, dumped, because they do not posses the value of breath. Even calling a body a dead body can distance the respect that is required of the living. However, the living are often times subjected to this same treatment, especially if those people deviate from the declared "higher mode of consciousness" (59) the Western world claims to have. By creating this higher and therefore only existing reality, the Western world puts anyone who deviates from the established reality into a primitive category. Those put in the primitive category are usually found to be entertainment, objectified, and once one is objectified they lose every right owed to them. These people become either invisible or targeted with violence because they have now become objects.
ReplyDeleteThe points you grasped from Anzaldua's work were good although the wording of your response made it sound a little repetitive. Thinking of an object as any non- breathing being was an interesting point. Human life being superior shows a depreciation for other living creatures.
DeleteIn the society we live in, the "unknown" poses as a threat to the mainstreamed status quot that holds people to a certain standard in order to be perceived as "normal". In a reaction to this "unknown" "threat", people who are just unique and different, are objectified. Their humanity is stripped from them and they become everything that it is NOT okay to be. This then can stir up violence because it is human nature that one's defense mechanisms takes over in attempt to protect one's pride, integrity and rights.
ReplyDeleteThe western world has become a materialistic culture, depending on objects in order to distance themselves from the unknown and the “primitive” (Anzaldua 59). They become knowingly ignorant due to the fear of the unknown. Amerindians are then other because they are able to see beyond the physical interpretation and create a “magical mind” (Anzaldua 59). Therefore, the western world “made ‘objects’ of things and people” (Anzaldua 59) in order to shelter themselves from imagination, from the unseen and unheard. While the intent was to protection their actions resulted in violence. Becoming “objective” takes away compassion, humility and feelings someone may have of an object or person. The connection between the individual and the objects or person is lost therefore, increasing the chances of violence. When humanity is taken away, there is no connection left between individuals or the unknown erasing any empathy towards them.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of the Western culture creating these objects out of things and people in attempt to protect themselves from what they dont understand. Sort of like an ignorant bliss.
DeleteIn chapter three, Gloria Anzaldúa explains that "people are forced to live in the interface between the two" (Anzaldúa 59) by being stuck in between the two functions of reality one becomes objectified. Anzaldúa gives an example of the "objectification" she experienced "I allowed rationality to tell me that the existence of the "other world" was mere...superstition...I accepted the "official" reality" (Anzaldúa 58). She explains how the Western culture led her to believe that their reality was correct, thus creating an object of her existence. The dichotomy of the spirit and the physical reality is the root of all violence. When those of a non - western culture try to stand up for their spiritual beliefs there is violence. They fight to honor their beliefs and not those of the western-culture, trying to escape the sudden change of becoming an "object" and leaving all spiritual beliefs behind. When one tries to remain in touch with beliefs, values, and ideas that they are raised with, they will not let a different culture take over with out having omitted violence and having put up a fight. Therefore, when ones beliefs become insignificant and are over powered by a dominant culture this is "the root of all violence" (Anzaldúa 59), since all psychic experiences will be defended.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you incorporated Anzaldúa's own experience into how she feels as though her reality was turned into an object by western culture, and I definitely agree that this violence is a result of fighting for the honor of their beliefs.
DeleteAnzaldua, in chapter 3, discusses the way that Amerindians were dehumanized by the undermining of their culture and religion. Westerners were able to write off the gods and religion of the natives as creations made by "the 'savage' mind". Because of them not understanding westerners found it easier to write off the validity of the Amerindians by deeming them savage. For all intensive purposes Amerindians were no better than animals, not HUMANS! That then allowed it to progress further to the lack of conscience about what they have. Religion historically has been a hot bed for war, and when people were again able to say that a religion is invalid it became "God's work" to convert them. From then it was as simple as convert and conform or die.
ReplyDeleteI agree that religion has commonly been a cause for problems in the past. I think your explanation answers the question clearly, as undermining of any culture will ultimately lead to violence.
DeleteGloria Anzaldúa refers to the Western idea of striving towards objectiveness. Being objective requires a group to distance themselves from any setting, culture, or situation, and contrasting it with the facts they hold true. Gloria Anzaldua notes this through the idea of the human soul and spirit, " i allowed white rationality to tell me that the existence of the 'other world' was mere pagan superstition," (Andalzúa 58). This idea separated Anzaldúa from her own culture and altered her views on other Mexicans as "I scoffed at these Mexican superstitions as i was taught in Anglo school"(Anzaldúa 48). People thus begin to view another culture as having "'primitive' and therefore deficient minds", thus justifying separation and assimilation of people within a culture can be seen as granting them an education(Anzaldúa 59). Violence can be justified as simply the liberation of a superstitious and primitive group. Objectification only perpetuates such views as cultural differences in beliefs cannot be accounted for.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 3 of Borderlands/ La Frontera, Anzaldúa explains how religious beliefs deem humankind with the responsibility of preserving the human race. Specific to the Azteca-Mexica, Anzaldúa refers to Huitzilopchtil, the God who gave the Azteca-Mexica "the task of keeping the human race alive" (Anzaldúa, 54). The preservation of mankind includes unifying all into one social and religious organ. The preservation of the human race is dependent on the preservation of a culture and a religion. As "Western culture" has made "'objects' of things as it distanced itself from them" (Anzaldúa, 59), a critical element to one's culture and religion, and therefore race, is jeopardized. What is the foundation of one's lifestyle are now "called cults and their beliefs are called mythologies" (Anzaldúa, 59). Anzaldúa details the instrument of the Azteca-Mexica in the preservation of their humankind, the use of "war to gain and exercise power" (Anzaldúa, 54). This instrument's fundamental, violence, manifests itself in the struggle to preserve one's objectified humankind.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 3, Gloria Anzaldua argues that trying to become "objective" can lead to the objectificaion of people and things therefore producing violence between cultures. Anzaldua describes how the western culture denies the beliefs of the indians and Mexicans making their own norms and an "official reality of the rational"(Anzaldua 58). Anzaldua says that she herself allowed that rationality to make her deny the mexican rationality. In order to be objective and remove all bias, one must distance itself from the other culture. Because the western culture does not understand the "magical mind or savage mind"(Anzaldua 59), a fear of the unknown begins to develop. This fear is what causes the Western Culture to make objects of people and things and therefore create oppression. Once objectification and oppression has taken place, boh cultures begin to loose respect for each other creating violence between both cultures.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a really good point in how western Culture will objectify and discrieted things they do not understand and that they fear.
DeleteYou presented the information really well and how you tied that information with your own thoughts really shows that you understood the information. Good job!
ReplyDeleteIt is often innate in western culture to be, or become, xenophobic; having the fear of new and unknown things, and this can be applied to people of other cultures. This is what usually causes it " to distance itself from [other cultures], thereby loosing "touch" with them…[splitting] the brain…into two functions, [along with] reality" (Anzaldúa 59). When the western culture creates this dichotomy "in trying to become "objective," [it makes an] "object" of…people" (Anzaldúa 59). This makes those other cultures feel as though they are inferior, while the western culture feels as though it has to maintain superiority, causing a dissonance between itself and other cultures which ultimately turns into a fight for equality.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter Three, Entering Into The Serpent, Gloria Anzaldua mainly discusses the appropriation of Mexican and Indian religion. Anzaldua talks in depth about how the sexuality of the snake woman and other Indian goddesses has been dismantled and demonized to make room for passive and weak goddesses that have "been used by the Church to mete our institutionalized oppression: to placate the Indians and mexicanos and Chicanos". (53) Anzaldua sees this appropriation of Mexican religion as similar to the objectification the Western world imposes. Anzaldua argues that the white western world defines only their tangible thoughts as rational and any creations of the soul or imagination as "fiction" and "make believe". Although Anzaldua does not make a direct correlation between this objectification and the root of violence, it can be inferred from her statements on the spirit that without an inner soul there is no lens to view the physical world, and chaos, as a result, would ensue.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter three, Anzaldua argues that objectifying people is the root of all violence. By objectifying people all sense of their humanity is stripped away. When this happens, people impose predetermined ideas about the objectified persons and fail to ever see beyond these wrongly assumed ideals. This causes the two groups to have an Us vs. Them attitude towards each other and continue to “loose touch” from one another. Over time these ideals become the norms of the two cultures and the differences turn to hatred of each other. This split of culture “the root of all violence” because it causes the people to feel hatred and alienated towards the other group. (Anzaldua 59).
ReplyDeleteThe objective view that is taken by many WASPs and people similar towards indigenous beliefs creates a subjective spiritual hierarchy. The idea that a sense of consciousness is created by more than just the mind and contains both the mind and the soul is one considered "primitive" and "fiction" by many protestants and Christians (Anzaldua 59). This devalues the non anglo-centric religions and thus makes them into 'objects', minor things to be studied. Even though they are considered lesser, the mere presence of the indigenous religions threatens institutions such as Protestantism and Christianity. These threats lead to violence in how they are dejected and devalued (see: 'primitive') and create the WASP imposed hierarchy keeping white on top and brown on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your view on the question and how you turned it into a matter of objectification not of the people themselves, but their beliefs. You also managed to tie in the fear the WASP communities have felt of differences in "their" nation since the beginning of time and were able to answer all the points of the question without using the questions posted as an outline to your answer. Very good job mate.
DeleteRamon Herrera
ReplyDeleteIn chapter three of Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands, Anzaldua argues that western culture objectifies other cultures and therefore becomes the root of all violence. When Western anthropologists examine Amerindian culture, they see the other culture’s religious beliefs as indicating a “world of the imagination” that is a result of the “‘savage’ mind”, something to be noted though never considered (Anzaldúa 59). When the other culture is shown only for display and amusement is when objectification has occurred. As time progresses and they begin “losing ‘touch’ with them” allows for a split, or dichotomy, to occur that becomes “the root of all violence” (Anzaldúa 59). Lack of respect and feelings of superiority over other cultures is what causes the violence to become the answer.
Yazmin Caballero:
ReplyDeleteViolence is an act of intended brutality or actions that cause pain and suffering. However- despite as awful the definition may seem- too often does the root of violence come from fear. Fear of personal damage, fear of the suffering that may come from the unknown. Anzaldua explains that the Western culture "distanced themselves from them"- "them" being the indigenous and unknown people- and this "split" "is the root of all violence" (59). Although this created "distance" was being caused by fear, "imagination" and false "rationality" on the white man's part (Anzaldua 58, 59), the mindset of "us and them," of objectification, had already taken root, expanded and poured into their culture, religion and people.
I really like how you define violence
DeleteRamon Herrera
DeleteThe concept of "us and them" already being rooted was very interesting and agree with it, but the idea of fear causing the division could be explained a little more.
La Virgen Maria became the object for the Mestizo to identify to their indigenous roots and at the same time assimilate to the roman catholic church.However the western society transformed the way that Aztec gods were view to validate their own culture ,changing the behavior of the indigenous and mestizos around.By transforming Coatlalopeuh in to la Virgen de Guadalupe it changed the way that perception of the Aztec women.As the western society devaluated the serpent and the sexuality that the Coatlalopeuh represented, Coatlalopeuh lost its value to the emerging mestiza population.Changing the perspective in which women viewed them selves , expected to follow the example of chastity posed by the virgin Mary.This also impacted the maleswihich as consequence adopted the western lens of a woman in order for the image of the idealized woman "la virgen" the chaste to match the woman around them ,they began to treat the women as the weaker sex.Erasing completely all the power that women in the Aztec dynasty had once possed sparking social violence over the controversy of gender equality over the past decades and instilling the machismo.
ReplyDeleteI like how you were able to include Anzalduas explanation of the dichotomy within la Virgen de Guadalupe and able to use it to explain the dichotomy with the idea of becoming objective.
DeleteIn Chapter 3 Anzaldua, discusses the dichotomy that is firmly embedded within the western belief of trying to become objective. It is justified by making one's ability to objective a component of thinking rationally. That in thinking rationally "the "magical" mind, the "savage mind" do not fit within this construct (Anzaldua 59). That in one seperating oneself from these aspects of the mind one loses "parts of [them]selves" (Anzaldua 59). This leads to violence as many institutionalized religions that approve of the killing of these supernatural aspects of the mind justify the killing of people that worship blasphemous religions that nurture the importance of the supernatural and one's soul.
ReplyDeleteVincent,
DeleteI like your response to this question. It is short and to the point. I like the lines you chose for textual support and the explanation of how the objectification and violence is justified. I wouldn't change anything about your response.
In Chapter three of Borderlands, Anzaldua claims that Western culture objectified things and people when it began to thrust its culture onto the native religion where "every cell in our bodies, every bone and bird and worm has spirit in it" (58). The objectification arose when Western culture labeled the coexistence of subjective spirituality and objective reality in native religion/culture "the 'magical' mind, the 'savage' mind, the participation mystique of the mind that says the world of the imagination - the world of the soul - and of the spirit is just as real as physical reality" (59). Western culture teaches that it is primitive and immature to include "imagination" (spiritualism) in daily life and therefore diminishes the value in things and people related to "trafficking with the spirit world...stigmatiz[ing] it as witchcraft" (59). The spiritualism is not perceived as realistic and is thus objectified. This has instilled violence between native people who reject splitting the objective and subjective and people who call native religion "mythologies"; not only physical violence through the hanging and stoning of those believed to practice this "witchcraft", but also indirectly and non-physically by othering the worshipers of spirits. By othering people, they are not looked at in the same way other people see themselves; there are no similarities, the "others" are dehumanized and it is easier to communicate with violent words and actions. This also creates violence within the self among those who actually experienced the shift of what was acceptable to believe (shortly after the instillment of institutionalized religion) and those who want to keep in touch with both side of Mestiza or Chicana culture and "are forced to live in the interface between the two, forced to become adept at switching modes." (59).
ReplyDeleteI liked how you incorporated the quotes, meaning they liked finished the sentence for you. I like how you make it clear how objectifying things ismaking it seem real and concrete.
DeleteIn chapter three, “Entering into the Serpent,” Gloria Anzaldua claims that in their efforts to become “objective,’ Western culture made “objects” of things and people when it distanced itself from them thereby losing ‘touch’ with them” (Anzaldua 59). This creates a separation of reality; the people who “inhabit both realities are forced to live in the interface between the two, forced to become adept to switching modes” (Anzaldua 59). There is a split between the ‘real world’ and the ‘spirit world’, one which claims the other does not exist but Anzaldua fully believes it does as she can “sense the presence of [her] ancestors”—a sense which she calls La facultad. This dichotomy becomes the root of violence because it separates the communities and individuals, forcing them to choose one side over the other. When people are made into objects it strips them of their humanity and devaluates them.
ReplyDeleteObjectification occurs when another person gets stripped of their dignity and is no longer considered who or what they are. In Chapter 3 of Borderlands, Anzaldua speaks on how, "Western culture made 'objects' of things and people when it distanced itself from them" (Anzaldua 59). The way Western culture has treated any difference brought upon it whether it is culturally or religiously, has ultimately lead them to objectify and display it as inferior to Western culture. Anzaldua feels as though this objectification results in the Western culture to, "...thereby [lose] 'touch' with them" (Anzaldua 59). This is certain as the inferiority put on by the Western culture, puts other cultures in a position to move away from it as well as exclude these cultures from becoming accepted in their culture. The way Western culture demeans other cultures ultimately becomes, "the root of violence" (Anzaldua 59). When a person or thing representing as certain culture or group becomes objectified and disregarded, this implies that they are not good enough, therefore will insinuate violence as people will fight for their dignity.
ReplyDeleteYour interpretation of the Western culture and how it changes people into a place of inferiority is well supported and analysed from the perspective of Anzaldua. I like how you defined objectification and used it as the main point throughout your answer. Your analysis and representation of the change brought from Western culture really is brought out and strengthened.
DeleteMario Torres
ReplyDeleteThe author mentions a "white reality" (Anzaldúa 58). It seems "to destroy the other world." When powered people dehumanise the lesser, no one bats an eye. But when the lesser try to fight the powerful, they are shunned until enough lesser powers get together to start a revolution. Disregard for one's existence will result in violence because violence is a cry for attention. It is used to call people to action, to send a message, and ultimately to gain the upper hand.
Anzaldua explains how Western culture, "made 'objects' of things and people",in distancing themselves from them, separating people from themselves within their culture as well as from others. Western culture encourages distance between themselves and Indian culture, shown through their oppression of the culture. "...they encourage us to kill off parts of ourselves"(59). This quote shows that American culture supported the separation of Indians from their cultural beliefs. In trying to create distance, Western culture objectified Indians and their culture by calling it "primitive" and "savage" like(59). This split between Indian culture and Western culture became violent, in that their lack of understanding enabled a greater amount of oppression. This dichotomy occurred within the Indian culture as well. Being a male dominated culture, the Azteca-Mexica culture "drove the powerful female deities underground by giving them monstrous attributes and by substituting male deities in their place"(49). In doing this "the female Self and the female deities" became split, preventing women from identifying with their culture in a positive way. This within it self becomes "the root of all violence" because women began to hate these deities because of their monstrous attributes and possible will start to view themselves as evil or monstrous as well. Therefore the lack of exposure that women have with their female deities and that America has with Indian culture become violent through objectification of the unknown.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter three, Entering Into the Serpent, Anzaldua sates that Western culture has, "made 'objects' of things and people when it distanced itself from them" (59) causing Western culture to become disconnected from indigenous civilizations. This objectification causes the dehumanization of indigenous people because it portrays their beliefs as "primitive" and "savage" (Anzaldua 59). Objectification becomes the root of all violence because it justifies the violence. For example, the genocide of Amerindians is justified because humans were not being murdered, Europeans were ridding the country of the "savages".
ReplyDeleteI liked how you stated that objectification becomes the justification of the violence. I also liked your connections to the indigenous civilizations and the portrayal of their beliefs in connection to Western culture.
DeleteIn chapter three, Anzaldua speaks about the idea that culture encourages people to "fear and distrust life and the body." (Anzaldua 59) Individuals are forced to "split" themselves. People who inhabit both realities are forced to live between the two, which may be the preface to a war within oneself. Anzaldua continues to explain the pressures of the Church and their encouragement to split the body and spirit, totally ignoring the soul. The culture completely objectifies the body and spirit, forcing people to "kill off parts of themselves," eventually causing them to lose touch with those parts. (Anzaldua 59) Similarly in "La facultad," individuals are pushed out the the tribe for being different. Instinctually, humans feel rage and fury toward those who objectify them due to their differences, which, in many cases, leads to violence.
ReplyDeleteWestern culture's dichotomy of their own reality splits the real world into an "us vs. them" mentality. The western fear of the "different from us" allows violence to thrive. From the fear of the different, western culture tries to distance them selves from the others, hiding behind their own ignorant reality. Their belief of reality, blinds even the most clearest of eyes to a point in which the real world is an illusion. It is the western cultures own selfishness that they lose the connection and comprehension of what is happening. Violence occurs because of Westerners ironical rationalization of the world. They get caught up believing everyone else is a lie that must become truth when in reality westerns culture's truth is a lie. Murder, rape, theft, physically and mental is hidden behind their own self and seen as OK.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your response. I completely agree with all of your points and liked the way you phrased everything. It was very clear and concise.
DeleteI agree with your response and think it is relevent to the "us vs. them" "this and that" concepts that we have discusses in class. I like your idea of the distancing from reality to a point where the real world is an illusion in order to rationalize the world.
DeleteThe dichotomy becomes the root of violence because when the thing or person has been objectified the cultural separation occurs. The sympathy toward the “object” is not as powerful as it would be to a person because this “object” is no longer the same as us. Objects can be replaced and the removal of them creates no sense of shame or empathy toward those removed. When the cultural disconnection occurs, it becomes competition to view which believes or groups are the superior one. The competitive aspect becomes this race to beat each other out and leads to violent attempts. The violence is produced by a lack of care for the victims and a sense of empowerment in being the top of the society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your idea that once the person is changing into an object there is a lose in value toward that individual because of their replacability. I like how you lead the race toward value and acceptance and how it relates to the violence. You keep the same point that the seperation, dichotomy, causes all these things as if it were a set of dominos.
DeleteThe split would be the root of all violence because when one group splits into the two, they are no longer the same people, but now competitors. The split creates systems and classes of people to put themselves above the others and feel dominant "those who are pushed out of the tribe for being different are likely to become more sensitized" (Anzaldua 60). People have the innate feeling to strive and become better than others and be above others. Having one group of people creates an equilibrium of ideas and perspectives in which all feel equal and competition is extinct. The split is created due to a difference of ideas and perspectives which results in the formation of the need for an alpha and an omega. The difference in groups and rising of competition derives from the "principle of balanced opposition" in which the innate need of people to be better is brought out and oppression used upon the other group (Anzaldua 53).
ReplyDeleteI agree with your interpretation of this section of the chapter. It is true that these two groups are pitted against each other and this allows these groups to begin to dehumanize one another. Until these groups can come to an agreement, this cycle of violence will continue because it is a struggle for power within society.
DeleteThe division created by this dichotomy is what Anzaldua claims causes the violence. The western culture seperates them from the rest of society and objectifies them, strippping them of their humanity and their sense of worth (Anzaldua 59). Objects carry a connotation that they can be replased and desposed of when they do not perform to a certain task. Supressing them to less that human is the violence that Anzaldua discusses. Some of the major religeous symbols have been imperialized in western culture into objectifying the characters in doing so "undermined the true identities of the characters" (Anzadua 53).
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying about why objectifying strips people of their humanity. very well worded.
DeleteIn Chapter 3 of Borderlands : La Frontera, Anzaldua speaks about objectification of people through distance. Only after distancing oneself can we view eachother objectively which allows us to commit acts of violence to eachother without remorse. Only sociopaths can hurt another human being without feeling empathy or sympathy but by objectifying people, we are able to circumvent this barrier and can cause as much harm. In today's society this is achieved through referring to eachother as “Aliens”. Calling people of different cultures or races “Aliens” strips them of their humanity and leads to us not only ostracisizing them but being able to inflict harm without feeling anything as they are no longer human but less and different then us.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you brought in the idea of the title of "aliens". It makes a really good connection from the book to modern terminology and it strongly supports your point about distance causing violence. It's interesting that you focused on the mental barriers between cultures and how they are self-constructed. Really strong ideas overall.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGloria states that the Western culture promotes thinking objectively. In order to achieve this it is essential to completely separate the examined from the examiners. This constructed distance results in a warped perspective that makes the examined nearly unrecognizable. When this happens losing "touch" with them is inevitable because it becomes much easier to discover differences rather than similarities. This distance also results in a desensitization of other types of people. Making it the root of all violence because it the Western culture is so afraid of being able to relate to something that seems so different. In Entering into the Serpent, Gloria Anzaldua states that she let the white rationality lead her to believe that the "other" more spiritual world was no more than superstition (68). This is because the "primitive" way of thinking the Indians had was too far of a stretch for the "more progressive" rational Westerners.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how you brought up how the differences of others are emphasized when one group distances itself from another. However, I disagree with the desensitization of the other group. If anything I feel that Western culture has throughout history tried to implement and instill deindividuation into the "other" group in order to try to make them stem away from their indigenous practices and traditions.
DeleteThe thought of perceiving any human as an object is dehumanizing and it allows morality to be thrown out. Western cultures have taken superiority over indigenous civilizations and they have begun to distance themselves from these civilizations in order to oppress them. Anzaldua states that she "allowed white rationality to tell me that the existence of the 'other world' was mere pagan superstition" (Anzaldua 59). Institutionalized religion forces individuals to distance themselves from their roots because it does not want resistance from any of its members. When an individual begins to question why indigenous beliefs are evil, the violence begins. These institutions want to silence all people who challenge their power and their solution to this is belittling the native traditions of ancient civilizations. This becomes the root of all violence because the split between cultures creates a mentality of "Us vs. Them" and one group must win this battle, so the goal is to eliminate the other. The violence will continue until one group prevails. Ultimately, this mentality allows individuals to distance themselves so far from humanity that they begin to view others as objects and that is when the real violence and oppression occurs.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this chapter, Anzaldua relates to the serpent as her "animal soul" (48) in order to fully emerge herself in her identity of "la vibora." The spanish (western culture) deconstructed the essence of the Aztec virgin mother Coataleopeub, into their own definition of Guadalupe, to construct symbol that was no longer threatening to their ways. They made all goddess,gods, and reference to other indio practices, as demonic, in order to gain control thus separating the indios from the mestizos and creating an objectification of the symbols that could be worshiped. With this, the western culture was able to further penetrate what would become of the mestizo and indio race. The people then used the new symbol of hope and faith as a dual object. The people and their symbol were broken apart, yet they used their spirit of violence to become a creation of "rebellion against their...subjugation of the poor and the indio" (52). Thus the violence is not a concrete matter, but more of an abstract dichotomy as the people where created into separation/objects that were stripped of their roots, their ancient Indian beliefs, and spiritual beings to become distant from its origins, and used the tearing, as a repercussion against the violence of the westerners.
ReplyDeleteYou established the context western religion really well. The deconstruction of these mesoamerican deities is important in understanding the groups of people that the new religion subjugates.
DeleteIn the chapter, Entering into the Serpent, Anzaldua describes her experience in discovering her "tono" or animal counterpart, "In the morning I saw through the snake eyes, felt snake blood course through my body." (Anzaldua 48) It is a spiritual connection that she has and uses that to go further into the symbols and people critical in Azteca-Mexica culture. Anzaldua discusses the great importance of La Virgen de Guadalupe as being "the single most potent religious, political, and cultural image of the Chicano/mexicano." (Anzaldua 52) Western culture objectifies these symbols and in the process loses its touch with them. Anzaldua calls this dichotomy the root of all violence because "the people who inhabit both realities are forced to live in the interface between the two, forced to become adept at switching modes."(Anzaldua 59) Such is the case for the Virgen de Guadalupe and trying to mediate between the india and the mestiza components of the Virgen. This disconnect and having to become adept to switching modes creates conflicts within people's lives through the contradictions that the switching presents. It is this failure of mediation that creates violence because it does not allow for beliefs outside of ones own and in turn causes a lot of groups to be pushed out for being different, "confronting anything that tears the fabric of our everyday mode of consciousness... increases awareness of la facultad." (Anzaldua 61) La facultad makes people more sensitive and "excruciatingly alive to the world" which in turn allows for violence to exist due to a cycle of avoidance and self preservation in those who are oppressed.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter three of Borderlands, Anzaldua writes, "they encourage a split between the body and the spirit and totally ignore the soul; they encourage us to kill off parts of ourselves. We are taught that the body is an ignorant animal" (Anzaldua 59). She says that religion creates a dichotomy which divides people who are in most aspects the same, the only difference being the god they believe in. Anzaldua explains how western society has replaced female deity with male deity, how "the spaniards and their church continued to split tonantsi/guadalupe" (Anzaldua 49) they continued to take her sexuality and her serpent away until she eventually became the work of the devil, the image of violence. the objectified picture of the uknown.
ReplyDeleteThe western world has objectified both people and culture, by fragmenting them to remove their power and shape them into tools. It is appent that by distorting the deities the Catholic church gained power over the Amerindians, is appernt in Anzaldua's states that the curch uses "Guadalupe to make us doclile...la Chingada to make us ashamed of our indian sice and la Llorona to make us log suffering people"(Anzaldua 53) to objectify the culetre to exploit and inhumise people.
ReplyDeleteObjectifying people allows a person to seen them as an object, not a breathing human. Since they see them in them in this way the have no sympathy for said person and mistreat them how they want. Objectifying a person takes away any and all sympathy.
ReplyDeleteI agree and enjoy reading what you wrote, Gloria, but I would like to have seen some support behind your statements.
DeleteIn Chapter 3 of Borderlands/La Frontera Anzaldua explained how the western culture"distanced itself from then, thereby losing"touch" with them. (Anzaldua 59) The western culture whether intentionally or unintentionally distanced themselves from the native peyote in order to preserve their own beliefs.they felt isolated from any other group therefore felt threatened by them as well. This dichotomy became the root of violence because of all the hatred that was created. By the western culture viewing the people as objects, it forced them to hate and act upon it through violence. If they would have viewed them as people instead of objects then that hatred would not have existed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response, I would try to use more support, maybe give an example of how this is the root of violence.
DeleteBrittany Lieber 2/6B
ReplyDeleteGloria Anzaldua explores the idea western cultures practice of turning people to objects and distancing themselves to the point of losing touch completely is the root of violence. This can be exemplified throughout western culture's histories, specifically America's. When the Europeans came to America and "found" the land, they felt threatened by the natives that were already inhabiting the land, because the natives looked different and had a different way of life. Instead of seeking unification to create a new, better life, the Europeans were afraid of the unknown and refused to integrate themselves with the natives, and thus they began distancing themselves to the point where the Europeans no longer saw the natives as a member of the human race, but as something lower and not worth as much as an animal. Soon, the Europeans saw nothing wrong with murdering those who were simply trying to live their lives peacefully, on basis that they were different from the Europeans. From here, not only was the root of violence born, but also the root of racism against all but whites in America.
In chapter 3 of Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldúa claims that Western culture has put the “object” in “objectivity” through the dehumanization of culture and religion. To be objective is to distance oneself from the situation and see it from a more logical perspective. But, when being objective with religions, all one does is take away the human aspect of it. “The mind that says the world of the imagination – the world of the soul – and of the spirit is just as real as physical reality” (Anzaldúa 59) is lost through objectivity. Culture is fantastical and illogical, not a cut-and-dry concept. There are many aspects of culture that cannot be seen through an objective lens. The missing links prohibit a true understanding of a culture and therefore prohibit a true understanding between two opposing cultures. Without understanding, there can never be peace and, therefore, misunderstanding becomes the root of all violence.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter three of Borderlands La Frontera, Anzaldúa argues that trying to apply an objective point of view allows for the objectification of people and their respective religions, which serves as the root of all violence. Throughout the chapter, Anzaldúa describes how La Virgen de Guadalupe became the prominent and well respected entity that she is today. While explaining her importance, Anzaldúa proclaims, "institutionalized religion fears trafficking with the spirit world and stigmatizes it as witchcraft" (Anzaldúa 59). Due to the fact that communicating with spirits is seen as taboo, the Catholic and Protestant religions deem these "practices [as] the work of the devil" (Anzaldúa 50). Objectifying the religion of different individuals removes the humanity out of their customs and practices, allowing for their oppression. Applying this "objective" point of view perpetuates the cycle of utilizing violence as a means of oppression, just as the witch hunters used in the Salem witch trials of 1692.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your reasoning behind the dehumanization of people through violence. You have a strong thesis statement and it ties with the last thought very well. I like how you related the stigma of witchcraft to the Salem witch trials.
DeleteIn chapter three of Borderlands, Gloria Anzaldua claims the root of all evil to be the western culture making "'objects' of things and people" distancing itself from them, "thereby losing 'touch' with them" (Anzaldua 59). The Western culture, being the dominant culture, has nullified the validity and capacity of Indians, claiming "that Indians have 'primitive' and therefore deficient minds" (59). The western culture has basically put itself on a pedestal, where only a western lens is used to perceive, where only western values are the standard, where only western ideas are valid. Western culture disregards for any other culture and by doing so creates a separation of people.
ReplyDeleteI agree. By devalidating mysticism, Western culture has devalued the Amerindian way of everything. Spirituality was intertwined with every aspect of life. Anzaldua says she and the oppressed are open to a higher level of consciousness; this reopens the question of what is to be valued and shown as truth.
DeleteIn Chapter Three of Borderlands, Anzaldua explains how modern religion separates spirituality and the inner goddess of people. She claims that western religion intentionally moved away from the idea that "every cell in our bodies, every bone and bird and worm has spirit in it." (Anzaldua 58) and that "the spirit is outside our bodies or above our heads somewhere up in the sky with God" (58). By making this important distinction, Catholics can view native religions and its followers as these objects Anzaldua speaks of. By creating this "us and them complex" Catholics can more easily commit violence against someone different than them. It is easier to fight for your own well being and that is what the catholic church has convinced Catholics of.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your idea of how "Catholics can view native religions and its followers as these objects." It was insightful into my understanding of Anzalduas background and cultural understanding as a whole.
DeleteBy emphasizing the differences of "others" it inevitably incites room for marginalization and oppression of those who differ from the "dominant culture". Separation of people allows for multiple interpretations, which ultimately result in ambiguity, and "ambiguity surrounds the symbols of these three [mothers] " (Anzaldua 53) who have been used by the dominant culture "to mete out institutionalized oppression: to placate the Indians and mexicanos and chicanos" (53). By objectifying things as sacred as "la virgen" the dominant, Western culture is disrespecting another culture of people and this institutionalized racism and oppression inevitably leads to violence and anger. This anger stems from the ambiguity that is used to alter people's cultures and traditions and also to justify the inferiority of the indigenous people.
ReplyDeleteIn academia institutions continue to view Amerindians as frozen in time. Study is focused around static culture, history, and religion. Institutions ignore that these have continued to change because Amerindians are still alive today throughout the Americas. This removal of time my scholars is "trying to become objective" (Anzaldua 59) but in doing so Western culture has reduced living people to romanticism of the past. Objectification is dehumanizing by definition, a human is not an object to be possessed. This trend to dehumanize coupled with the US's acquire-ist culture has led to imperialism in the modern day.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with what you have stated, you have failed to comment on how this causes violence to ensue. Why does dehumanization lead to violence?
DeleteIn Entering Into the Serpent, Gloria Anzaldua states that objectifying people causes them to become violent. In other words, to "degrade the status" of a person, dehumanizing them, will make them prone to violent acts. This is evident through the story she tells about the Aztecs before they became "militaristic". The roles of women and men in the Aztecs states, once upon a time, were "balanced" and the people lived in harmony, until the males became considered the dominant sex (Anzaldua 53). Objectifying their women led to the Aztecs realizing that they could be dominant and own other states, urging them to demand power. However, no one ruler would willingly give up their power, so the Aztecs had to violently force the other states to submit to them. Thus, the violence and conquering of other non- Aztecan states ensued, the success caused the Aztec people to see themselves as leaders of "all earthly matters" (Anzaldua 54) and everyone else as no more than pawns. As the equal plane field diminished and the respect towards other cultures dwindled, the harmony that was once caused by a unified people ended.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter three, Anzaldua discusses the Western ideals of rationality and "developed consciousness- the consciousness of duality," (Anzaldua 59). Whites denounce any spiritual connections to objects, plants, even other animals and humans. According to them, one cannot feel other beings, they can solely view and sense them. However, Anzaldua references the pagan concepts of spirits and interconnection, and how these connections create an empathy within each human that allows us to feel and experience one another, When the dichotomy is introduced, however, this empathetic connection is severed, creating an "objectification" of other humans. When we see each other as objects, violence becomes second nature, and this can only be cured by mending the duality.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Malinche is used to convey the sexism in Latino culture, because Malinche was forced into the role of the whore by her culture, and then ostracized because of it. This is similar to Anzaldua's being forced into the culture, while simultaneously being oppressed by its ideals.
DeleteIn Entering Into the Serpent, Anzaldúa discusses how the act of objectifying people creates an institutionalized dichotomy. This dichotomy is “the root of all violence” and forces those who identify as two cultures to “become adept at switching modes” (59). The Western culture is rooted in a logical mindset, which excludes spirituality and the “consciousness of duality” (59). When a person is objectified, their humanity is denied, thus granting the dominant culture the permission to take advantage of them. When ones spirituality is denied, and religion is forced, sense of self is lost. Denying someone’s humanity is the essence of violence.
ReplyDeleteI especially enjoyed your mention of how denied spirituality leads to a loss in sense of self. I totally agree that objectifying someone allows for that person to be taken advantage of because they no longer have a name or a face, they are merely a statistic.
DeleteGloria Anzaldua speaks of the ways white anthropologists discredit the mind of the mestizo which in turn creates a distance from their own minds. This dichotomy is the root of all violence because the unity humans share is broken by claiming one group of people ( the mestizo) are lesser than another (western culture). Without unity, people are no longer working for a common goal but battling against each other. Objectifying people allows harsh mistreatment to occur without any feeling of remorse or compassion. Gloria herself admits to allowing this way of thinking to affect her in her past saying," I allowed white rationality to tell me that the existence of the other world was mere pagan superstition." (Anzaldua 58) However, she now recognizes that neither "reality" is greater than the other and advocates a dual consciousness that combines her western and mestizo heritage.
ReplyDeleteThe distancing of two cultures often occurs when the dominant culture attempts to understand and empathize with the dominated culture. The dominant culture will objectifies the people and their struggle in an attempt to understand what they have done to them. Anzaldua states that "white reality to destroy the other world' " (pg. 58) ums up how when “white” culture attempts to empathize with “brown” or “black” culture that they inevitable disempower the non-whites further by objectifying their struggles threw white opportunity. As western culture created distance between cultures it objectified others, and as it attempted to relate to the struggles it imposed on those others it objectified their emotions.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, Anzaldua draws attention to how, in any situation where one culture is dominated by another, the dominating culture will objectify the oppressed culture in an effort to further obliterate or obscure the oppressed culture. She also draws attention to how the opposite intention on the part of the dominators-to empathize with a culture they had a hand in degrading- often produces the same effect, with the dominator attempting to define a completely different culture by it's own standards and inevitably devaluing it.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 3, Anzaldua revisits the differentiation of "us and them" (Anzaldua 25) that is mentioned in chapter 1. One way this occurs is through the Western cultures's tendency to make "objects out of things and people" therefore separating itself from the others and "loosing touch with them". This provides a the Catholic society with a scapegoat as to who they can label as the "others" making it easier to create violence between them.
ReplyDeleteViviana,
DeleteI think you have the foundation for a good response here and seem to have developed a good understanding of the purpose for this chapter, however you need to expand on these ideas further.
Chapter 3 of Borderlands is focused on how the two aspects of Mexican culture- the indigenous and the Spanish- European became split. Anzaldua notes that at one points all the elements of the culture were on an even playing field. At one point, however the idea that the European part of Mexican culture was superior emerged. She illustrated this point by looking into the origins of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Anzaldua notes that originally the indigenous goddess Coatlalopeuh and the Virgin of Guadalupe were seemingly the same deity although Coatlalopeuh was associated with the serpent and had some darker connotations. After a while, Anzaldua notes the Spaniards split the two apart- “They desexed Guadalupe taking Coatlalopeuh, the serpent, sexuality, out of her” (49). From then onward the indigenous began to be associated with the bad, the European with the good. This dichotomy is the root of all violence as it supports the ideas that any one culture can be superior to another and that any one culture can be inherently evil or savage. This type of misguided thinking is what has led to senseless genocides throughout the ages. The making of people into objects does the same thing because as soon as we dehumanize someone we begin to lose our humanity and turn to senseless violence.
ReplyDeleteThe separation being discussed by Anzaldua in this chapter is created by the distancing of oneself from something else through value or quality. Oppressive separation. I call it oppressive separation because we are discussing how the split between people, specifically thinking that some people are objects and some are not, is the root of all evil. Oppression is created by both the oppressors the oppressed, and the un-involved. This is because it is just as easy to habituate that someone is better than you as it is to habituate that someone is worse than you. Oppression is created by the un-involved because it is just as easy to think that someone else is better than someone else. These ideas are presented in relation to race and gender on the borderlands in the text. Anzaldua, being a woman, is oppressed, though not contributing to oppression because she realizes this. "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 shows how the oppressed contribute to the oppression. This separation between people is "the root of all violence" because of its relation to oppression, and in most all cases, oppression and ending oppression is violent.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your ideas. I think that this was very well said however I just feel that you needed to elaborate more on how people are seen as objects and some are not.
DeleteIn chapter 3, Anzaldua states that the cause of violence is when someone is objectified, this means that when one is belittled they tend to react aggressively if not violently when they are dehumanized. She then talks about how the lives of the Aztecs were completely different from today. Everyone then, lived in harmony, they were "balanced" (Anzaldua 53). Then the men began to objectify the women and made themselves the dominant sex this made women react and have the need for their power too. This ended their beautiful harmony they once had.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting that you see the cause of the violence in relation to objectification as the oppressed fighting off the oppressor. In reality, I think it is more likely the violence stems from the oppressors asserting their dominance over the oppressed. However, you're viewpoint is valid and an interesting shift in perception.
DeleteIn the third chapter, “Entering Into the Serpent”, Anzaldua discusses the making of objects from people when white anthropologists and scholars worked to become objective in their fields and studies. The making of people into objects became the root of all violence because these people were no longer seen as human beings on the same level of consciousness as the white scholars. Instead of working to understand the other cultures who had a deep connection with both spirituality and external reality, white scholars deemed the Indians were “ ‘primitive’ and therefore deficient minds” (Anzaldua 59). Once Indians were seen as lesser beings to the white race, violence towards them no longer seemed taboo in society. If the people being terrorized are considered, at the very least, to be less than the superior white race, then how is anyone expected to speak out against the violence. There would be no reason to protest the violence because many would see no reason to save the lesser beings. The split between rationality and spirituality caused the objectification of a people which led to the violence towards those considered less than human.
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