Light In The Dark/Luz En Lo Oscuro: Chapter Analysis

Reading Response #2 Chapter Three
The third chapter is quite a different spin from what I read in the previous chapters from author's Gloria. E. Anzaldua's book entitled Light In The Dark/Luz En Lo Oscuro. Chapter three is quite interesting. In this particular chapter on page 48, she reveals her identity as a jotitita (queer Chicana). Anzaldua goes to further states that this "mexicatjena-to enter a museum and look at indigenous objects that were once used by my ancestors"(48 Anzaldua). What is interesting to me is the she ponders on whether or not she finds her historical Indian identity at the museum. In addition, she also questions whether her identity could be found along the ancient artifacts and their as she puts it their mestizaje. I really

love how she incorporates the Spanish language along with the English translations. It is something that I can definitely resonate with.
Since this is, an art/creative class and you have to find something relating to art and attach that to your analysis of the reading. I found the following quote to be quite relevant to the assignment:"Each artist locates her/himself in this border lugar, tearing apart and then rebuilding the place itself"(49 Anzaldua). This is particularly interesting to me as the reader. Taken myself as an example this not could be further from the truth. I tend to do this same exact thing when I am taking on a new task. I try to find the beauty and art in everything and if I tear it up and rebuild it, that is all part of the process of the art that I am creating. In the end, you will be able to enjoy the "fruits of your labor."
I wish I could say more, but I have to stick within the parameters of the assignment.

I am already over my word count. Sorry Professor :)
Reading Response #2 Chapter four
Chapter four is even more interesting, as a reader, I get the sense the Anzaldua is getting more and more comfortable with revealing her sexual identity to her audience. For example, she states that "her body is sexed; she can't avoid that reality, although it could change through transgendering or transexing"(65 Anzaldua). In interesting to note that, she feels her body is also race; that she cannot help the reality of how people will look at her or their perception of her.
Moreover, she feels that the "U.S society is gendered and racialized: it expects certain behavior from women, certain bearings from men, certain comportment from queer mujeres, certain demeanor from queer hombres, certain conduct from disabled, and so on"(65 Anzaldua).
I can personally resonate with Anzaldua is trying to convey to her audience. Although I identify as heterosexual Latino male Anzaldua sums it perfectly, in the following quote. "If you're a person of color, those expectations take on more pronounced nuances due to the traumas of racism and colonization"(65

Anzaldua).
Finally, I wish I more time to reflect on this chapter, but what I can tell you is that I have witnessed first hand as a Puerto Rican male from the South Bronx, New York City, this type of racism and to a certain extent a modern version of colonization. Certainly, nothing like what my ancestors had to endure in the island of Puerto Rico at the hand of their ancestors. The rest, of course as usual is subjective and open to interpretation.