S-Files: Caliban & the Chicana/o People’s History: Colonization & Concientización

In this creative essay by WSP student, Dianna Ruby Sauceda-Chirinos, stark parallels are drawn between Caliban’s story and the history of Chicana/o people with regards to colonization, loss of culture/identity and concientización.

Caliban & the Chicana/o People’s History: Colonization & Concientización

by Dianna Ruby Sauceda-Chirinos

…

I have realized now that open consciousness, concientización, begins to develop as you decolonize your mind, or rather, as you learn history from the point of view of the colonized. I don’t want to continue to suffer from historical amnesia, the act of forgetting your own past/history. For the past 10 weeks, I have been on a steady journey toward a decolonized mind, but at times I felt lost. There are five texts that I’ve read recently which helped orient me: “Song of the Hummingbird” (Graciela Limón), “Whose Chicano History Did You Learn?” (Chapter 4 of “De Colores Means All of Us” by Elizabeth Martínez), “Refiguring Aztlán” (Rafael Pérez-Torres), “The Fantasy Heritage” (Carey McWilliams), and “Birth of a New Symbol” (Ernesto Chávez). The “Song of the Hummingbird” taught me about the stubbornness of a colonized mind. The priest in the novel is blindsided by his Catholic teachings and it is difficult to reverse something like that. Chapter 4 from Elizabeth Martínez’s novel allowed me to see the attempts by the U.S. to keep us forgetful. From grade school, we are taught a Euro-centric history. We always learn history from the colonizer’s perspective. Pérez-Torres’ piece revolves around the significance of Aztlán as a homeland to all Chicano/as. It recognizes the ambiguity of the land and shows how it is parallel to the ambiguity of Chicano/as, as they are a combination of many traits. “The Fantasy Heritage” taught me about the power of labels. It’s amazing how a group of people can claim a heritage, in this case Spanish heritage, and suddenly feel closer to the top of the pyramid of petty tyrants. The vitality of solidarity was a theme in “Birth of a New Symbol”. Without unity, a social group doesn’t stand a chance at making a change. All of these texts will help you figure out your own concientización because they will awaken the hidden part of you, your shadow beast. They will also further decolonize your mind as you begin to learn about the history you have been deprived of. Additionally, you will be forced to feel emotions you’ve never felt before. Caliban, this state of discomfort will allow you to attain a deeper understanding and better experience on your path to concientización…

Download the entire essay by clicking here.

Tuesday Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

 This is the story of what it’s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie’s letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Source: Amazon.com

Post submitted by: Miqi Cos

Daily Word: Aliquant

aliquant \AL-i-kwuhnt\  , adjective:
Contained in a number or quantity, but not dividing it evenly: An aliquant part of 16 is 5.

American Cultural Literacy: The early bird catches the worm

The early bird catches the worm

PROVERB

If we want to achieve our goal, we must get an early start.