In Response to RaisinBran

Thank you Brandon for helping me understand the struggles of Latinos in America. After reading and researching the topic I have written my own blog post in response. Please feel free to check it out:


Friday - June 12th
Day 1


We woke up just as the sun was rising over the horizon line. My mind focused on the warm red sun, but I couldn’t ignore the pulsating pain in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed with much strain and could taste the morning breath still lingering on my tongue. Gazing out at the vast desert before me, all I could think about was how tiny I am in this world. It was a scary thought. But then as if I needed an extra push forward – like a newborn embarking into daunting new world – memories of my life in Mexico surged through my body all at once. This is my birthplace; it is my homeland. As much as I loved my country – the soil, the air, the people – I needed to push through for a better life for myself, and even more importantly, my family. I know the burden lies on my shoulders; I’m willing to accept that. With anything I could carry on my back, I glanced passed our pickup towards Juan Carlos. Hair matted, eyelids heavy, nose running. He’s too young to understand what’s going on now. Maybe in a few years this will be a faint memory. But Mexico is his blood. It’s who he is. No matter what happens at the border, I will never allow him to forget his homeland. I then soaked up every last bit of my prior life with a breath of the passing breeze. And we trudged on.


Monday – June 15th
Day 4


The midday sun beat down upon my face. The desert seemed endless. It was almost as if I were imaging the vast region of emptiness before me. The days had become a blur; all had been forgotten. All we had was our number one goal: survival. Juan Carlos would cry himself to sleep ever y night. His whimpering silenced the coyotes and made the wind howl. Worst of all, his sobs made the hair on my skin rise. The scorching sun consumed our days and the bitter cold of the night chilled the bones in our bodies. Last night there was a thunderstorm. All the animals went back to their homes. Safe and dry – a place to escape the rain. All we had were each other. No one else in this world could care if we live or die. Combined with the harsh climate conditions and our instincts to remain alive, the visceral feelings made us feel one with nature. This opportunity gave us time to reflect on our lives in Mexico. It will always be a part of me and I miss it everyday. I could taste America with every drop of sweat that trickled down my face. Each step, as hard as it was, got me one step closer to a new life.


Wednesday – June 17th
Day 6


America is my country of hope. As of now it is only a distant dream, but it is a dream shared by many. America has always been a haven for people in need. It is a country built on the immigrants looking for a new start, looking for a better life. People think that we are coming over to steal their land or to abuse their laws. If only they really knew the hardship we go through just to make it to America – the danger and the sacrifices. I do it to protect my children. Maybe one day, in America, they can be successful. At least there’s a chance and that’s all I’m asking for: a chance at the American Dream. I am in no place to judge, but have Americans forgotten what has built this country?
I am not the American Dream. No such dreams can ever be reached in my lifetime. These dreams will not even be imagined in my lifetime. We know that. All the other people like me. The fathers and mothers and grandparents. We come to America so our families will one day have a chance at the American Dream. I will work manual labor. Hands callused. Jeans ripped. I will do anything for that job, I promise you that. It’s not the most glorious job, and luckily for us, no one else will take these jobs. Although we start at the bottom of the ladder, at least my children will have an opportunity to climb it.


Friday – June 19th
Day 8


The moment of truth. As much as my feet throbbed from walking for days, I felt compelled with fear to turn back and forget about the whole idea. The physical pain was bearable. It was the rush of emotions that would kill me. Most people don’t even make it this far, and look at me now; I wanted to turn away. I am just a small nothing about to get lost in a big new world. Out of nerves, I vomited onto my shoes. I didn’t think twice about it because my mind was frozen out of fear of our future. John Carlos didn’t question it either. Of course he didn’t understand what we embarking on and he will never comprehend what we left behind. He just knew what I was feeling. It took me a while to realize that he clasped his tiny hand around my index finger. As soon as my brain registered the steady, but faint, beating of his pulse through my nerves, I felt safe. We were in this together.


Wednesday – August 19th
Living in America


America is not what it is made out to be. It is not the country that welcomes people in need of a better life. Yes I am thankful to be here in this country because I will do whatever it takes to give Juan Carlos a better life. But people cannot see passed my skin color. I am from Mexico. More importantly, I am a person too. I have made it passed the border. I don’t want to break any more laws. Why do people call me such terrible things? My clothing is ragged and my shelter is minimal. This doesn’t bother me because they are only material things. With time and with an opportunity I can acquire such things. With this opportunity I can do better things. As of now, I do the job that Americans don’t want, the jobs they can’t do. I cannot learn English over night but I am trying my hardest to fit in. As much as I try to assimilate, Mexico will always be a part of me. Will that ever be accepted here in America?

A Historic View of Racism

Racism will always be a dark spot on America’s history. From slavery to segregation, it is something to be ashamed of; it is something we can’t erase but we should learn from the past. With adversity also comes heroism. Many reformers have stood up to the abuse. In this blog post, I want to compare Pecola, from The Bluest Eye, and her community to previous civil-rights activists. The first two that come to mind, both very different in their styles of remonstration, are Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Washington emphasizes the importance to adapt to white culture. He believed that with time, after working hard to make money, African Americans would eventually be accepted within society. His ideologies are most comparable to those of Pecola. Morrison demonstrates that many of the characters would rather become white than fight for their rights to be black. W.E.B Du Bois rejected Washington’s teachings. He believed that African-Americans should demand equal rights rather than take a back seat and just hope for change. Unfortunately, after years of attempting different solutions to the problems of slavery, Du Bois gave up on hope in America and moved back to his native country: Ghana. The civil-rights movement was a turbulent time for all activists. It was hard enough for them to gain respect of their white peers. As for Pecola, respect can never be achieved. She does not even believe in herself, therefore no one else in her community will ever believe that she is worth something.

Love and Abuse

In The Bluest Eye, the reader follows along as Pecola, a sensitive and delicate girl, comes of age within her suffocating community. As seen in pop-culture today, sex is a monumental part of growing up; it is a symbol of adulthood. Sex is more than just a vessel for reproduction – it is a representation of love. A major reason that Pecola is damaged and ashamed of her identity is because love is hard for her to find. She has been exposed to traumatic sexual experiences, as well. Love is associated with white skin and sex is associated with violence. Pecola’s growth is inhibited because of her upbringing. Her parents are abusive and she has no other outlet for positive affection. Pecola is surrounded by abuse, and because of this, she thinks that racism and exploitation is normal.

Racism vs. Self-Acceptance

Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye, explores racism and its detrimental effects on a person's self-image. Pecola (the story's protagonist) is a confused and misguided African American 11 year-old girl growing up in a damaging environment. Within her close-minded community, she is surrounded by people who mistreat and abuse her. Even her own flesh and blood treats her like a piece of garbage. Without a positive role-model and a loving outlet, Pecola is suffocated by society's dismissive standards while her self-image rots into decay.
Everywhere Pecola turns, beauty is associated with white skin color. The racism that is so prevalent within her community influences Pecola's own self-image, leaving her with no self-worth. The idea of black=ugly becomes engrained into her head, and without an escape, Pecola blames her problems on something she can't control: her skin color. Instead of embracing her identity, Pecola wishes for blue eyes, as if it would solve all of her problems.


Much like Pecola, one cannot achieve success or happiness without self-acceptance. Both the media and society are very influential, and can also inhibit a person from developing a unique identity. Pecola feels trapped and ashamed of her skin color, race, and even her identity. Such low self-esteem can happen to people of all different backgrounds. Whether it is the media or a surrounding community, the environment always has a dominating impact on self-image. Are people growing up in the ghetto destined to be criminals? Can homosexuals involved in religious societies escape from the ridicule?


Use these sources and an open-mind to explore some tangible problems in today's society that are similar to those of Pecola.

For Questia article please follow these steps:
1. Log onto www.questia.com
2. Type USA: The Struggle for Freedom and Self-Respect. in the search panel. It is the first magazine article listed.
3. Click and read.

Podcast

Directions:
1) Become familiarized with the electronic sources to grasp a solid understanding of the issues faced within The Bluest Eye.
2) Trading Places: BLOG POST: Imagine you are removed from your current community and placed within one opposite of your present home (higher crime, poverty) and you are the minority. How would life be different if you lived there all your life and if you just began living there?
3) BLOG POST: Write a thank you letter to a person who influenced you when you were in a bad situation. Then write another letter and imagine you are in a bad environment. How has this (imaginary) person given you self-confidence?
4) Create a storyboard timeline of your life, with pictures, and imagine how it would unravel if you were to grow up in a negative community.

Insecurity

Society has created its own standards of what is beautiful and what is ugly. The pressure to be beautiful can be seen all over the media, school classrooms, and even at the work place. Whether through surgery or commercial products, people are willing to sacrifice their identities in order to transform themselves into something they are not. This has become a major problem. Low self-esteem can be caused by the pressure to look or act in a certain way: society’s standards of perfect. Around every corner, from celebrities to loved ones, people are demanded to be something that they are not – leading to a low self-worth, distorted views, and a lack of confidence. I have heard parents call their children “fat” and even force them on diets. My friend has told me stories of how her boss makes her go tanning to be more beautiful. Everyone has insecurities, but sometimes a lack of self-worth or self-esteem can be a large problem.

Being Comfortable In Your Own Skin

If the past dictates the present and influences the future, then heritage is the foundation of a person’s identity. These roots can extend deep into ancestry or grow from different cultures. Either way, one certainty is that heritage is impossible to escape. The struggle with identity is a prevalent theme in the media, literature, and is accessible to people of all races. Jack E. White, a contributing writer for TIME magazine, is one of many looking to connect with his ancestry. In the article “In African-American Eyes”, White discovers how kinship and individuality are so closely intertwined. Before leaving for his anticipated journey back to his native land, White asked himself, “What does Africa mean to me?” To many, Africa may not be any more familiar than the distant tales of “the coups, the starving refugees, the monumentally mismanaged governments, the ugly dictatorships” (White Par. 5). These stories are hard for Westerners to imagine and can explain why the genetic link sometimes seems distant. As White traveled from country to country on his journey through his native land, feelings of belonging and empathy overcame him. He felt the pain of “all that was lost when our unwilling ancestors made their transatlantic voyage” (White Par. 8). After visiting Africa, the place he considers to be his “motherland”, White not only had a greater appreciation for his people but also felt more complete as an individual. White was able to fill the void in his core by embracing a defining characteristic of his individuality: his ancestry.
Being comfortable, or not being comfortable, in your own skin is a universal feeling. Race, religion, sexual orientation all are defining characteristics in a person, but should not be restrictive or bounding. In Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, Pecola feels ugly because of her skin color. She has trouble fitting in with her peers and is ostracized from her community, but even more tragically, feels uncomfortable in her own skin. A lot can be accredited to Pecola’s insecurity: a lack of love at home, racism, naivety. Unlike Jack E. White, Pecola refuses to accept her inherited skin color as beauty. Her heritage is seen as inadequate and the lack of appreciation from the people surrounding her makes Pecola confused. In chapter 1 of The Bluest Eye, Pecola asks, “How do you get someone to love you?” This is reoccurring theme in the novel. Claudia, who is also confused, takes apart a doll to its core to see why it is so “lovable”. Because Pecola has no one in her life with a loving or embracing spirit, she cannot even love herself and does not embrace her inner beauty. Pecola feels incomplete and blemished and would rather be white with blue eyes. She is very fragile and the void in her heart is love. She cannot accept her heritage and this damages her. Pecola looks in all the wrong places for beauty. Instead of ignoring his heritage like Pecola, White sought answers. His trip back to Africa provided “greater knowledge and a powerful awareness” (White Par. 9). Hopefully as Pecola comes of age she discovers that out of all that defines her, no one or nothing can destroy her individuality.
Self-worth is the most important aspect of appreciating individuality and understanding the lineage of our ancestry. Although society has always influenced people, literature has tried to express that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In both Jack E. White’s article and Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, beauty is not skin deep. Whether the answers are planted with the roots, or deep within the soul, ancestry cannot be ignored. Pecola’s naivety makes her question the existence of beauty. She has been convinced she flawed by being black. Fortunately for White, he has realized that skin color does not define him, but that his heritage is a defining part of identity. Both characters have struggled as a people throughout history but prove that an internal struggle can be more detrimental.


White, Jack E. "In African-American Eyes." Time Magazine 7 Sept. 1992. 25 Mar.
2009 0,9171,976426-1,00.html>.

Questions to Consider:

Similar to the questions in The Twilight Zone episode, who, realistically, is responsible for determining what is wrong or right, ugly or beautiful?

Why is there sometimes animosity towards homosexuality? Historically, religiously, culturally.

Will gay marriage ever be legal across the entire United States?

Relating to variables such as attraction, behavior, fantasies, emotional and social preferences, self-identification, and lifestyle, can bisexuality exist?

Are people pansexual? Pansexuality is the idea that gender and sex are insignificant or irrelevant in determining whether they will be sexually attracted to others.

What is the hardest or scariest part of "coming out" to something or being truthful and honest?

How does sexual orientation affect someone's reputation or image? Does it have the influence to change someone's image? Can sexual orientation ever be ignored when judging a person?

Who benefits from the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy? Is that a good way to handle sexual orientation?

Homosexuality in the Media

In a day and age when everything has to be politically correct, the media and pop culture have to be very careful. Gender, sexual orientation, race, can be touchy subjects but America tends to ignore the issues all together. By disregarding anything that is different from the norm or exploring stereotypes no further than skin deep, we are only feeding into the heterosexual privilege. When it comes to discretion, Will and Grace exceeds all boundaries. Instead of shying away from the idea that society is eclectic with both heterosexuals and homosexuals, this sitcom makes light of something that many people refuse to discuss: homosexuality. Sometimes it is hard to ignore the stereotypes that society has jammed into our brains but in Will and Grace such a stereotype is not neglected. Between the four main characters, no Gaydar is needed to figure out that two of them are gay. After watching an episode I realized that the show is not about the characters and their sexual orientation but rather that it’s just a part of who they are as people. Will and Grace is a similar to many other sitcoms aired on television. Every episode begins with a conflict and concludes with a resolution. This is something that every person can relate to; it is human nature. Will and Grace complements the two gay protagonists with other characters who have even bigger “problems”. Karen, another main character is a rich drunk, and her character pros and flaws evolved from stereotypes. It is hard to ignore stereotypes because sometimes there is truth behind them. Will and Grace illustrates that whether straight or gay, that is not something that should define a person. In many other shows that I have watched, the topic of homosexuality is comparable to a 600-pound gorilla everyone notices but will not acknowledge. Will and Grace explores deeper than just the stereotypes and shows that all characters are human.

Gender Confusion

Does God have the ability to determine a person’s gender at birth? Reverend Drew Phoenix of Maryland has split the Church in his recent sex change and amounted much discussion. History has shown that from birth a person is judged by his or her physical traits – something that usually does not deceive the naked eye. However, there are exceptions to the norm. Although social equality has evolved with time, there are many people still living in the past. As one of the most influential texts on this Earth, the one thing that is inhibiting a majority of the population from having a more accepting attitude, the Bible has damned anything unusual, especially gender confusion. According to Darrell of Dow Blog’s Post-Modern Gender Confusion post, “it isn't science that determines gender. Historic Christianity links physicality and gender. God creates man and woman and assigns distinctive biological traits and gender roles” (Darrell Para. 4). This has become a controversial topic in ecclesiastical news recently because of Reverend Drew Phoenix, previously known as Ann Gordon, of the St. John's United Methodist Church in Charles Village, Maryland. Science and religion have had their battles throughout time and this is just another dispute. Reverend Phoenix is a strong believer in faith but at the same time battles all the naysayers for “young people in particular who are struggling with their gender identity” (Phoenix Para. 1). But Darrell, the creator of Dow Blog and a devout Christian, does not drink this Kool-Aid. Darrell rejects any possibility that a person’s true identity may just be trapped inside a shell of physical restrictions. These internal struggles are experienced around the world everyday but Darrell still refuses to consider life in someone else’s shoes. Darrell, as many Christians believe, “such gender confusion is an abomination” (Darrell Para. 4).
Darrell of Dow’s Blog is right that this point of discussion has become more prevalent in recent times. Along with the Woman’s Rights Movement and push for racial equality, people have maintained the courage and freedom to pursue their own means of living. Freedom for all in the form of self-expression is something that America prides itself on. There have been black marks on our country’s history but all in all we have a very open-minded society. This is not something I can say about Darrell. Faith is not something that should be denounced until it takes away a person’s self-expression and freedom. Who is Darrell to judge a person’s true identity? Unfortunately for him, worries such as this have distracted him from more meaningful agendas that affect his life. It is neither Darrell nor anyone else’s place to judge other people. Instead of focusing concerns on violence or something else that affects many people, Darrell considers “sexual confusion” as an abomination. Contrary to common beliefs, science has much to do with gender. Dow Blog says that it is “we who turn this inside-out with our misguided and sinful conceptions of the alleged fluid and subjective nature of sexual identity” (Darrell Para. 5). For many, such emotions cannot be bottled up and ignored. In an ideal world, all people would be treated equally and sexual barriers could be abandoned. A religious fanatic such as a follower of Dow’s Blog should consider different viewpoints with value. It is difficult for such minorities to gain respect and this is unfortunate.
In a world where anything that is considered different is wrong, society refuses to accept that gender confusion affects many different people. I pity Darrell, a major contributor to Dow’s Blog, because he is trapped in the rules and expectations of a Christian society and is blind to any differing opinions. Respect may be too much to ask for at this instance, but with today’s cultural advancements people should at least be able to accept differences and acknowledge gender confusion for what it is. Whether gay, transgender, or heterosexual, we should all have the freedom of self-expression. If there is a situation in which a person’s physical body does not align with his or her true gender, people like Darrell should accept it and move on. While Darrell refers to “the doctrines of equality” as “heresy” (Darrell Para. 12), it is individualism that he is afraid of in his obstinate state of mind.

Expectations...

So I'm a first-time blogger and this is my opening post. This post is about diverse viewpoints and how "rules" and stereotypes can be confining. My english class is studying Jamaica Kincaid's poem, Girl, and in response, I have written my own poem. Unlike Kincaid's piece, this is more lighthearted. At times it is funny but it has a very serious underlying tone. Rules and conformity can control a person's indentity. Check it out and feel free to leave some comments. 

Benchwarmer

To An Aspiring Athlete:

Tie your shoes before entering the gym. Tight. Be on time. Being on time means be 15 minutes early. Otherwise you’re late. Coach does not like it when you are late. Coach is impressed when you are early. But that’s expected, so not too impressed. Come prepared – 30 minutes of mental preparation for the actual preparation. 14 minutes of pre-game-preparation-planning. 10 minutes of pre-game-pump-up-music-selection-preparation. Then you gotta pack your drink – preferably Gatorade or some other re-hydrating thirst quenching beverage – and I usually bring a snack-bag for the bus ride as well. Preparation includes an initial pre-game stretch, I know what you’re thinking and come on, don’t be lazy because the initial stretch is important. Now Game-Time. Well actually, no not yet. Relax on the bus ride. Get into the zone. Big game tonight and this is finally the chance you’ve been waiting for all season. You have sat on the bench long enough, practiced harder than anyone, and have endured harsh experiences as the ball boy. Put in your headphones. Turn on your music. And gaze out the window. You did get a window seat didn’t you? Well anyway, just think about that for the bus ride. This pre-game anxiety is normal. I guess you can say its another part of the pump up preparation process. Now inside the locker room. Change into your jersey. The locker room is usually quiet on a game like today’s. Coach will come in very soon. He’ll talk and strategize. You listen. Strategize too, but make sure to do whatever Coach says. This is a good time to stretch again. Loosen up and shake out those jitters. What’s the noise coming from outside the locker room? Probably the crowd or the home team introduction music. Yeah it gets nerve-racking but that’s the fun part of the game! Huddle up as a team. You are a role player and an important part of the team. High fives. Scream. Jump. Jog in place. Roll your head and stretch your neck. Loosen up. Time to go. Single file line. Yeah, I guess you can compare it to battle. Run out. Smack the door as you run out. The crowd starts to cheer. It’s okay to smile. Well its okay to grin but you still have to look somewhat tough. You know, intimidate the other team. Lay-up lines. Dribble dribble shoot. Pass. Dribble dribble shoot. Pass. Get pumped up. Loosen up. Game time. It’s okay not to start the game. Wait for your moment. Jump ball. Cheer. Be ready be ready. Coach put me in! Nope not yet. But be ready just in case because it could be any minute. Time out. Get water. Half full. Two cups in each hand. Don’t spill otherwise you’ll have to wipe it up with your own shirt. Good game guys. Keep working hard. Sit down and start cheering again. It’s okay, you are more than just a cheerleader. Coach just said go in! You heard him right! Go! Check in at the scorer’s table. The crowd erupts in cheer. Hard work. Run and play hard every play. I know you’ll do great.