Mosquita y Mari is a film about two sophomore girls who begin a friendship, and quickly develop intimate feelings for each other. Main character Yolanda is a straight A student who has the goal of going to college in the United States. Upon starting high school, Yolanda’s middle school friends drifted away, meeting new crowds and getting involved with drugs and alcohol. Unable to ask her parents for advice due to the growing tension in their marriage, Yolanda opts to start a friendship with a neighbor and classmate by the name of Mari. Mari is a rebel that does poorly in school, skips classes and sells shop flyers to help her mother pay bills after the death of her father. Like many second-generation Mexican immigrants to the United States, …show more content…
Yolanda and Mari experience different cultural identities on a day-to-day basis. A cultural identity is created when a person feels accepted by a group of people.
A majority of second-generation immigrants experience American cultural identities in public and Mexican cultural identities in the household. Many immigrants struggle to feel accepted by a new culture and strive to fit in by improving their socioeconomic status/income through getting an education, working for money, or marrying someone who will financially support you. This struggle to fit into the American culture can complicate how a person develops various aspects of their identity. One identity that is commonly affected by a new culture if one's sexual identity or orientation. A sexual identity is how a person views or labels themselves in relation to who they are attracted to. Common labels include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer. Second-generation immigrants fail to develop their sexual identity due to the pressures they experience to join the American culture by getting an education or by becoming financially stable through working and having …show more content…
children. Documented second generation immigrants fail to develop their sexual identity because the american culture pressures them to get an education by putting their school work before peers and by teaching LGB students that they need to suppress their sexuality to obtain the same educational experience as their heterosexual classmates. What being a documented immigrant means is that you are a citizen of the united states, and can take advantage of government assistance programs like social security and medical insurance. Documentation also allows a person to apply for college and receive tuition assistance. Yolanda is pressured to integrate with the American culture by spending her free time studying, rather than with her friends. We see Yolanda's parents enforcing this belief when Yolanda asks her mother about her parents first dance and her mother tells her that the only thing she needs to worry about is school. She also reminds Yolanda that she and her father are working hard to get her into college, not so she can throw away her education on ”boys”. By pressuring Yolanda to spend less time with her peers and more time studying, she damages the development of her sexuality by not exploring her attractions for either gender. Without exploring her attractions, Yolanda is influenced to behave with the straight sexuality that her parents and peers find acceptable. This makes it difficult for her to build the skills she needs to create and maintain a healthy relationship. (psychologytoday.com) In addition to Mosquita y Mari, documented second generation immigrants fail to develop their sexual identity because the american culture teaches LGB students that in order to get a fair educational experience, they must suppress their sexuality. We can see this lesson in the novel Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua. Gloria recalls teaching at a college where “the presence of a few lesbians through the more conservative heterosexual students and faculty into a panic” (42). These girls, like many other LGB individuals learn the only way to avoid discrimination at school is to suppress their sexuality and stay “in the closet.” The discrimination that LGB students experience at school can lead to higher stress levels that negatively affect an individual's mental health. Mental illnesses can cause milestones in sexual identity to be delayed or nonexistent, causing the individual to not accept their sexuality(Allison, 1998). Alongside documented second-generation immigrants failing to develop their sexuality due to the pressures getting an education in America, Undocumented immigrants fail to develop their sexual identity because they are taught that the only way to be accepted in america without an education is to earn money by becoming financially stable by working or having kids. Undocumented second-generation immigrants fail to develop their sexual identity because the american culture pressures them to become financially stable through working or having children.
For an undocumented immigrant, integrating into the american culture can be difficult because they do not have access to a college education. Instead, the american culture influences them to get jobs and have children so that they can make enough money to live a comfortable life in the U.S. Due to her family's demand for money, Mari began her first job, handing out flyers for a local store. She was later fired for throwing the flyers away and leaving work early to spend more time with Yolanda. It was at this time that Mari’s attraction for Yolanda grow, becoming first present when she changed in front of Yolanda, and developed into a desire to run away with her to Mexico. Mari is forced to suppress her attractions to Yolanda, in order for her to earn money prostituting herself to older men. Similarly, in the novel Locas by Yxta Maya Murray, main character Cecilia suppresses her same sex attraction to start a family with a local gang member by the name of Beto. She, like many other immigrants to america, believes that “Having a baby the only thing that would get me a better life” (60). This is because when a child is born in america, they automatically become citizens and are eligible for government assisted programs that offers mothers resources to raise their kids. In both instances, the
girl's damage the development of their sexual identity when the american culture pressures them to suppress their sexuality in order to get the money they need to live in the U.S. Suppressing your sexual identity in order to get a job or have children, can cause a person to stay in an abusive relationship, engage in unsafe sex and use drugs. (genderterror.com) These behaviors can damages a person's sexual identity by making them avoid intimacy and spending time with members of their own gender. In conclusion, documented and undocumented second generation immigrants to America struggle to develop their sexual identity because of the financial and educational pressures they experience to fit into the American culture. For documented immigrants, the pressure to integrate into the American culture through getting an education harms the development their sexual identity when they put their education before their relationships and fail to explore their attractions, robbing them of the valuable skills they need to develop healthy, long-lasting relationships. Educational pressures also damage a sexual identity when it forces LGB students to suppress their sexuality to avoid discrimination from teachers and other students, resulting in mental illnesses that delay or prohibit the progression of a sexual identity. Documented second-generation immigrants can harm the development of their sexual identity when they suppress their sexual identity to become financially stable; and develope behavior issues that causes them to avoid intimacy and spending time with members of their own gender.
Part Three of the book “Just Like Us” written by Helen Thorpe is comprised of illegal undocumented individuals residing in Denver Colorado. The individuals consist of a group of four Mexican young adults all with the dream of one day attending college and finally obtaining a legal status within the United States. In this portion of the readings, Yadira, Marisela, Clara, and Elissa are entering their senior year at their University and have defined the odds of successfully completing college while maintaining an illegal status. Helen Thorpe clearly demonstrates a passion in tracking individuals that are determined to become legal citizens within society; however, lack the proper advocacy and documentation to do so. Part Three of the book envelops the complexity of maintaining a legal status among society members through the lives of these four influential young ladies striving to achieve higher education in the
The book “The distance between us” is the story of immigration written by Reyna Grande. The book recounts her true personal story before and after entering the United States. The story shows how poverty and parenting impacts the family. Grande was 2years old when her dad left her, 4 years old when her mom (Juana) left her and her two siblings (Mago and Carlos) with her grandmother in the Mexico. Since, then she was seeking her parents either her dad or mom in the story. Her illegal and undocumented entry in the United States depicits the struggles and challenges she faced while crossing the border. After she arrived in the United States she found that living in the U.S was not that easy what she has dreamed for and “The man behind the glass” was not like that what she had met before. Her siblings were angry because of their not supportive mother and abusive father which weaken their intimacy in the family. Instead, Mago her elder
Sandra Cisneros “Never Marry a Mexican” and Junot Diaz’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao are stories that reflect on the cultures in which the characters grew up in. In Never Marry, Clemencia, the narrator, reflects on her past sexual relations as well as her childhood. She speaks of her parents’ marriage and then transitions into her relationship with college professor and his son. In Oscar Wao, Yunior, the narrator, gives a second-hand retelling of Oscar’s experiences in New Jersey growing up as well as in the Dominican Republic. A person’s identity is largely influenced by their culture, this is especially the case in Hispanic cultures. The social constraints that these cultures place on social class, sexuality, and gender norms can be very detrimental to a person’s self-esteem.
In the opening pages of the text, Mary, nineteen, is living alone in Albuquerque. Vulnerable to love, depressed and adrift, she longs for something meaningful to take her over. Just as she is “asking the universe whether or not there was more to life than just holding down boring jobs”, she takes on the job of helping an illegal (political) refugee, José Luis who had been smuggled from El Salvador to the United States, to adjust to his new life in Albuquerque. She instantly falls in love with him and hopes to start her life over with the new aim of “taking the war out of him.”(p. 4) Providing a refuge for him, Mary, as Fellner suggests, “imagines herself to be whole and complete in the experience of love”. (2001: 72) She willingly puts José Luis as the “center” of her life (p.5) with the hope that “love would free her from her dormant condition” (Fellner 2001: ...
When someone say’s “hispanic,” what definition comes to mind? Hispanics are not one nationality, nor one culture. Instead, Hispanics are greatly diverse people. Our language and cultural origins are Spanish and Latin American, regardless of race and color. Hispanics can be European, Indian, or of African descent, or any combination of the three. The culture could be linked to Mexico, the Caribbean countries, Central America, South America and Spain. Hispanics were once considered a rarity in the United States, now we are found throughout the country.
Upon initial research of the rich heritage of California the two minority groups that stood out as especially influential in historic California and today’s society are the Native Americans and Hispanic Americans. To better understand and identify with these minority groups we must identify the common themes within their day to day life. By researching each culture’s common family traditions, religious beliefs, arts & entertainment, and language one can gain a greater appreciation of many different kinds of people, and in turn have more effective relationships in a multicultural society.
The increase and changing demography in the United State today, with the disparities in the health status of people from different cultural backgrounds has been a challenge for health care professionals to consider cultural diversity as a priority. It is impossible for nurses and other healthcare professionals to learn and understand theses diversity in culture, but using other approaches like an interpreter is very helpful for both nurses and patients. In this paper of a culturally appropriate care planning, I will be discussing on the Hispanic American culture because, I had come across a lot of them in my career as a nurse. The Hispanic are very diverse in terms of communication and communities and include countries like Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, South and Central America, and some of them speak and write English very well, some speaks but can’t write while some can’t communicate in English at all but Spanish.
The contrast between the Mexican world versus the Anglo world has led Anzaldua to a new form of self and consciousness in which she calls the “New Mestiza” (one that recognizes and understands her duality of race). Anzaldua lives in a constant place of duality where she is on the opposite end of a border that is home to those that are considered “the queer, the troublesome, the mongrel and the mulato” (25). It is the inevitable and grueling clash of two very distinct cultures that produces the fear of the “unknown”; ultimately resulting in alienation and social hierarchy. Anzaldua, as an undocumented woman, is at the bottom of the hierarchy. Not only is she a woman that is openly queer, she is also carrying the burden of being “undocumented”. Women of the borderlands are forced to carry two degrading labels: their gender that makes them seem nothing more than a body and their “legal” status in this world. Many of these women only have two options due to their lack of English speaking abilities: either leave their homeland – or submit themselves to the constant objectification and oppression. According to Anzaldua, Mestizo culture was created by men because many of its traditions encourage women to become “subservient to males” (39). Although Coatlicue is a powerful Aztec figure, in a male-dominated society, she was still seen
Child rearing and family structure within the Hispanic culture is noticeably different than what is present in the mainstream Western culture of today. One apparent difference is in gender roles. There exists a vastly different expectation in Hispanic culture for males and females. The male is considered to be the independent breadwinner, and the head of the household. Accordingly, the female role is one of submission and provider of childcare. In contrast, it is more than acceptable in Western culture for a female to maintain a non-traditional role. Hispanic culture additionally differs from Western culture in the traditional makeup of the family. Within Hispanic culture the extended family plays a huge role
Folklore is a collection of stories passed down from generation to generation that includes Legends, Myths and Fairy tales. Legends are a semi-true story, which has been passed on from a person to another person that has an important meaning. Myths are a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon. A Fairytale is a children's story about magical which they have imaginary beings and lands. Hispanic Folklore is the traditional is mostly about beliefs, legends, customs and stories of the community of the hispanic culture. Hispanic or latino culture encompasses the traditions, language, religious beliefs and practices, legends, music and history.
The rich warm smells of Mexican spices permeate our house during every season. Family and our Mexican culture is an issue that is important to my family and me. I was born and raised in the United States; however I am still deeply rooted in my Mexican culture.
The struggle to find a place inside an un-welcoming America has forced the Latino to recreate one. The Latino feels out of place, torn from the womb inside of America's reality because she would rather use it than know it (Paz 226-227). In response, the Mexican women planted the seeds of home inside the corral*. These tended and potted plants became her burrow of solace and place of acceptance. In the comfort of the suns slices and underneath the orange scents, the women were free. Still the questions pounded in the rhythm of street side whispers. The outside stare thundered in pulses, you are different it said. Instead of listening she tried to instill within her children the pride of language, song, and culture. Her roots weave soul into the stubborn soil and strength grew with each blossom of the fig tree (Goldsmith).
These immigrants were taken advantage of and only hoped for a better life elsewhere. On the other hand, Quade’s story focuses on two people from different classes. Margaret moves to Santa Fe for a new beginning and meets Carmen, who she hires to be her housekeeper. Margaret has some preconceived notions about Carmen. For example, she sees the scar, a “pink ragged line across [her] brown throat” and immediately thinks a boyfriend or husband may have done it to her (Quade 225). She gives some of her belongings to Carmen, thinking it was “probably nicer than the things Carmen bought for herself” (Quade 234). Even though the two become close friends, their different class standings is a barrier between them. Later, when Ruben threatens them, Margaret just wants him out and offers he “takes whatever he wants” (Quade 250). She just wants all of them out of her perfect home. Margaret does not understand the “terror and fury and love” between Carmen, Ruben and August and Carmen sees how apathetic she is (Quade
To help me understand and analyze a different culture, I watched the film Selena. The film tells the life story of the famous singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Not only does it just tell personal stories from her life, it also gives insight to the Mexican-American culture. Her whole life she lived in the United States, specifically in Texas, but was Hispanic and because of that both her and her family faced more struggles than white singers on the climb to her success. Even though the film is a story about a specific person, it brought understanding into the culture in which she lived. Keeping in mind that these ideas that I drew about the Mexican-American culture is very broad and do not apply to every single person in the culture, there were very obvious differences in their culture and the one that I belong. Mexican-American culture identifies with their family rather than individualized or spiritual identities and the culture has gone through significant changes because of discrimination and the changing demographics of the United States.
Global identity politics rest heavily on notions of ethnicity and authenticity, especially in contexts where indigenous identity becomes a basis for claims of social and economic justice. In contemporary Latin America there is a resurgence of indigenous claims for cultural and political autonomy and for the benefits of economic development. Yet these identities have often been taken for granted.