Intro to Latina/o Studies

1) Most of the materials we read that discuss similar topics are written like a novel or textbook, what made you decide to write it as a graphic novel? 2) Whenever an author wants to publish their work, there is a lot of thinking and doubt involved but there is one or a couple of reasons that make them publish it. What were the main reasons that made you decide to write your book? 3) You mentioned in the book that whenever your family made a joke about gay people you did not laugh. When your parents or family members noticed that, did they say anything to you? 4) Cartoons and music played a huge role in your like. Until this day does Green Day still have a huge role in your life? 5) When talking about relationships, was there ever a time where you believed that it was better to be alone instead of trying to put yourself out there? 6) After learning of your sexuality, does anyone in your family treat you differently or do they all accept it?

In the essay, the author mentions how female immigrant workers who take up jobs such as private household workers, nannies, caregivers, and maids showing how the Latina immigrant workers are placed in a structured hierarchy. Despite finding employment, they are put in a position that can be considered a second class or oppressed. Looking at this from a different perspective, I can see how these places in the workforce were once the place meant for the White People's subordinates. This demonstrates that there is still an unfair structure present in the industrial workforce. This domestic work which was once where Black women were unpaid under slavery shows how that position has evolved. Although the needs of the job are still the same, there is pay, but it can be minimal compared to the compensation given to others such as fluent English speakers. I noticed how the demographics of the position for domestic workers has been primarily held by minorities. This obviously refers back t...

Patricia Valoy Was it necessary for her to go through what she did? How was she able to handle the situation? Would it be considered body shaming what was done to her? Kassandra Pena  Would she consider the Trend of Thigh Gap a way of body shaming? Being part of a beauty pageant, where does she find the motivation to help others love their own bodies? Why does she think the story about Patricia is funny?

In the reading, the author discusses how she, being Chicana, has had many cultural and linguistic influences throughout her life. Starting in school when she mentions how the Anglo teachers would scold her and correct her when speaking with an accent or speaking in Spanish. This experience can be traumatizing for anyone because of the personal impact it has. The teachers are basically telling her to deny who she is and conform with the "American" society. The author mentions how she has various ways of speaking among different groups of people. Whether it be family/friends, other Chicanos, teachers, etc. Just as how we as people talk differently to everyone we know, there are levels of respect and comfortability that go into conversations with other individuals. This goes back to being exposed to different dialects and being Chicana, she was Mexican but didn't grow up in the home country and instead grew up in the states. Coming from this background, she became well reh...

Through the documentary, there is an in-depth dive into the Mexican-American culture and how the education system has failed them time and time again. However, some teachers strive to support these students and their ethnic background. The documentary touches upon various situations and scenarios where they as a people have been oppressed as a minority. The teachers help to give the students an understanding and a way to confront this oppression. Students have used their pop culture such as music and other methods of expression to be who they are, Mexican-Americans. The white chairmen continue to push oppression on the school because he believes that embracing one's ethnicity and culture is wrong, which is racist. He is ultimately contradicting himself especially when he mentions Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. The teachers use the concept of "planting the seed" to see that the next generation does not have to succumb to a disadvantageo...

In the reading, cultural expressions that are common among Latina/o people becomes more of a stereotype in the eyes of the US government and other US agencies. Rather than identifying as Cuban or Peruvian, the US promotes a sense of homogeneity or unity among Latina/o culture. Although there are many similarities between Latinas/os, each nationality's individuality based on history, society and culture are what makes them unique and different from each other. I can understand how that the US did this due to a large amount of Latina/o people coming into the country. However, I reconcile with the view that Latina/o people who want their identities to be expressed and individualized from the common term "Latina/o." As a Filipino-American, I was always associated with other Asian people such as Chinese and even Korean. Being that I was not from these places and more importantly I was born in America, the stereotypes and the group that I was closely associated with confused an...