Zaira Meza
Testimonios
1. There are many terms that are utilized, and bestowed by contemporary society to describe what in their eyes I am in terms of identity. For example, I have been labeled Mexicana, Chicana, Latina, and Hispanic. Honestly, I don't know what exactly I coincide with. Every one of these words tends to have some truth about me, but maybe not the whole truth. When I would describe myself in terms of identity to me it’s simply that both my parents originated from Mexico, but I was commenced in the United States. The word that is used to describe this in a somewhat correct fashion for my situation is a Chicana. In my perspective my actual history is Mexican history not American history. I noticed that society says that my history
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The identity of Chicanos and simply Mexican American comes with many labels and stereotypes that throughout the year’s society has placed us Chicanos. We see and live these stereotypes on a daily basis. It's shown through all of society every single day. An example is the sign Fresh Mexican Food in Mexican restaurants, because Mexican food has a stereotype being a street, unhealthy, and unfresh food that in order for a Mexican restaurant to be somewhat professional or valid it has to state the word fresh in front of Mexican. One never points out a sign saying Fresh Vietnamese food because society already predicts that their food is fresh. That’s just a simple stereotype think about the many others that once again are depicted every single day. For instance, in all the Mexican American telenovelas and movies they all showcase drugs, sex, and violence. This gives me the connotation that many in our society now have the stereotype of us Mexican being interested and involved in things depicted in the media like drugs, sex, and violence. Moreover, these aren’t all the stereotypes that are seen in our society. We see different houses, and signs depending where one lives. We consider somewhere that is called a barrio as a dangerous place where many killings and crimes take place only because it consists of many Chicanos. Many in our society have given the connotation that we Chicanos are uneducated, and a minority. Others might also thinks that Chicanos have money issues that for instance having trouble paying the bills. In other words that Chicanos are poor. In terms of the government and the workforce society might fear and stereotype us as trying to take over the jobs, and all of America. We also given the stereotype that we eat a lot of food, and are mean people that think we are superior to others. Others might say that Mexicans are short and fat. Funny thing many of these things aren't
In the article “State Violence, and the Social and Legal Construction of Latino Criminality: From El Bandido to Gang Member,” by Mary Romero suggests that American culture, specifically the media, has changed the Chicano culture and used it to help define the criminality in the United States. One way in which American culture has accomplished that is by using characters on television as criminals that have Latino characteristics. For example, Taco Bell used to use a heavily accented Chihuahua named “Dinky” to advertise their product. Dinky was a portrayal of Che Guevara, a revolutionary bandit. Fritos use the Frito Bandido to advertise their corn chips.
Prior to arriving in UC Davis, I understood the word “Chicana/o” purely by its true definition; Mexican American. I always found the term to just be another word to classify a large group of Mexican individuals. The term appeared generic to me similar to Latino or Hispanic. Growing up in a small town that is largely Latino enclave, I would assume that I have some comprehension, however it seemed truant. It appeared that Mexicans always pride themselves with the word Chicano, however I thought otherwise.
The stereotype being portrayed is one of the general aspect of what many Mexican Immigrants goes through and the challenges they have to interface whether it is financial, family, low status or racial issues as
Throughout “The Mexican in Fact, Fiction, and Folkore” examines the term “Mexican” as it is applied in Southwest literature and argues the Anglo society has made a conscious effort to misrepresent Mexicans (Rios 60). He states the people of Mexican descent are viewed as un-American because they are perceived as filthy, lazy, and dumb. Ricatelli adds to the conversation of Mexican stereotypes by examining the literary expressions of Chicanas and Mexicanas in the literature of both the United States and Mexico. In “The Sexual Stereotypes of The Chicana in Literature” Ricatelli explains how in Yankee literature, the Chicana is referred to as the “fat breeder, who is a baby factory” meanwhile the Mexican is described as an “amoral, lusty hot tamale” (Ricatelli 51). He makes note of these stereotypes in order to highlight the ethnocentric and nativist points of view that dominated Anglo literature.
Throughout history Mexican and Mexican-American identity underwent trials and tribulations of political and social stature. One of the ways best to display and communicate identity is by art because murals are a powerful tool when it comes to developing and shaping a voice for people to be heard or remembered. Murals are important in that they are monumental, public and pedagogical (notes). One example of how powerful and important murals can be, are the murals of Chicano Park and stories behind them that gives us a visual understanding of how social and political ideals were dealt with. There has been a history of institutionalized racism and sanctioned violence were border towns have Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans living; who seek
I believe the term, hispanic, itself does not define who I am. I define who I am and who I want to become. However, I do come from a Mexican heritage. Coming from a Mexican heritage has influenced and deeply impacted my life. My heritage has taught me a lot.
This is because the movement itself began as a search for identity in a nation where Chicanos where once classified as White, but never received any of the rights associated with it and where later reclassified as Hispanic. It is also because what was once considered Mexican culture is no more as it has been taken, manipulated, and killed by the Anglos in their conquest. In “I am Joaquin” we see this concept throughout the work in a variety of forms that range from what Mexicans are to the concept of being Chicano. One major example of the search for Identity in the work is shown in the beginning with the paradox question where many young Chicanos are forced to choose between cultural life in poverty or stability at the price of their culture. Basically it states that they must choose between embracing their heritage at the cost of stability or to reject it and conform to the Anglo world and have a chance to be successful.
People tend to only claim that I 'm black but never Hispanic. But I 'm a Black/African American Hispanic/Latin American women. I’m proud and happy to have curly puffy hair, I love the features in my face, my height, skin and eye color, and I love the person who I am inside. I am still growing and there
If you were to be asked “what do you picture when I say the word Mariachi?” Most likely the first thing that pops into your mind is entertaining music, intense dancing, emotional screaming, delightful food and tequila we cannot forget the tequila. As a Hispanic I have also been affected by some of the stereotype set by the media, I have been asked if I play soccer, eat tacos, and even if I am a drug dealer, of course, I don’t take this insults seriously but when they ask me if I listen to mariachi music I proudly answer “Yes, yes I do!” I am from Jalisco, Mexico, the home of the mariachi genre and I take pride in some of the stereotypes set by today’s society and
I grew up in a two-parent household with my parents being married before they had children. My father has always been the one that provides finically, while my mother was the one who took care of my siblings and I throughout my childhood. Being that both of my parents were born in Mexico, I consider myself Mexican American. I am proud to be Mexican American. Culture plays a huge role in shaping your identity.
Choosing to be a Mexican over American Today I feel more like a Mexican than anything else even though I was born in the united states. I may have papers and be American but hearing other ethnicities call my people immigrants and illegal makes me feel more like an immigrant myself. I feel this way because although I am considered an American I would much rather stand by my people and my culture. I would label myself as a Mexican-American, Latina, person of color, and as a minority. I describe myself as a Mexican-American because I was born and raised in Chicago and from Mexican descent.
Every individual has their own perspective in a Latino due to how they are viewed by others. Most stereotypes come from social media and largely by the famous latinos which has a big impact on how various mistake the overall view of Latinos. Plenty of Latinos are American citizens who actually become successful. All Latinos are different in many ways for example, not all look alike, some do not even speak spanish, many are accused of selling drugs, and Latinos do not always party every weekend.
societies in the world. These sub-cultures include Whites, African Americans, Asians, Irish, Latino, and European among others. Chicano refers to the identity of Mexican-American descendant in the United State. The term is also used to refer to the Mexicans or Latinos in general. Chicanos are descendants of different races such as Central American Indians, Spanish, Africans, Native Americans, and Europeans.
They are stupid people who are lost and got here by mistake" (Cisneros 21). Due this disturbances, the Chicanos will be frowned upon and will have difficulty finding jobs or being well received by another group of
I personally describe myself, race and ethnicityas the following: My ethnicity is considered Black, Spanish, and Indian, since Iwas born in Puerto Rico I am considered as Caribbean. I believe thatI consider myself more using the word race. I see the concept of race as a word to describe myself as who I am and what I am not only as a Caribbean but also asa Spanish speaker who not only knows Spanish but also English. Race is more used for one purpose and one meaning.