End of the Semester

In this Humanities class, we studied many great works of literature, artwork, music, and film by Latin American artists. I came to recognize how vast of a subject "Latin American Humanities" really is. Not only does "Latin America" include a huge group of people, but this people is composed of a mesh of cultures and traditions that is still changing. The works we studied helped me to gain some insights into this group and to have a more open mind towards learning about cultures and beliefs that are different from my own.

My favorite work we studied this semester would have to be Bless Me, Ultima. First off, this story was very engaging. In class, we were reading the book over a couple of weeks, but I finished it in the first. I couldn't stop reading! Beyond the engaging story line, I liked that this book emphasized the importance of questioning the world and coming to know for yourself what is truth. As Antonio grows up, he has many influences telling him who and what he should be. His mother hopes he will become a priest, while his father doesn't see as much importance in education. He always seems to be pulled between his mother's grounded Luna side and his father's free-spirited Márez side.

Then Ultima comes to stay with the family. In my previous blog post, I wrote about how this was an "origin" for Antonio- a significant change in the course of his life. She teaches him that "good is always stronger than evil... The smallest bit of good can stand against all the powers of evil in the world and it will emerge triumphant" (98). Ultima practices magic and most the town believes she is a witch, but she gives Antonio importance guidance in his life. To me, this novel was an example of how much we can learn from cultures and ideas that may seem different from our own.

Personal Connections

"I love you with all my heart. I love you more than all the earth and all the sea. And all the stars and all the sky" (La Misma Luna, 2007, Directed by Patricia Riggen).

In this early scene in the movie, Rosario calls her son from a pay phone to talk for just minutes. She had been living in L.A. for nearly four years while her son remained in Mexico. She speaks these words to Carlos and cries when the call nears an end. La Misma Luna focuses on the characters' emotions to draw more attention to the humanistic side of the immigration issue in the U.S.

For a while, I would go once a week to our local nursing home for Alzheimer's and Dementia care to play games such as bingo with the residents. A few residents could play their own boards, but for most, I would walk around and place pieces after reading the letter and number. Most did not remember much about their own family members. None of them would remember me the next week I came. One sweet lady made the same comment each week: "This is a wonderful game for teaching children numbers!"

After a while, I found out my aunt had been diagnosed with dementia. This news had a big impact on me, having seen first-hand the disease's effects. I have many memories growing up around this aunt. We have sadly watched as she has lost her ability to work and function in the way she used to. Now when I return to the nursing home, I see my aunt in the people there. I recognize more fully that these people once lived normal lives. They had jobs, families, sweet memories, and hopes for the future. My personal connection through my aunt has made the issue something I care for more deeply.

My dad with my aunt

The makers of La Misma Luna wanted to create this kind of personal connection to the plight of immigrants. They wanted viewers of the film to see immigration laws not only from an economic viewpoint, but from seeing these people as human beings. From the very beginning of the movie, they establish the deep connection between Carlos and his mother to draw the viewer in emotionally.

Making Dreams a Reality

"No, this isn't my house I say and shake my head as if shaking could undo the year I've lived here. I don't belong. I don't ever want to come from here... 

No, Alicia says. Like it or not, you are Mango Street, and one day you'll come back too" (Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street, pg. 105).

Esperanza dreams of a different life for herself, of owning her own nice house, of being more beautiful, of having a best friend, of living somewhere far away from Mango Street. Through her experiences and the people she encounters, Esperanza learns she cannot change who she is or where she comes from, but she can take control over the outcome of her life.

This quoted passage reminded me of a devotional I attended. The speaker claimed that the key to happiness is focusing on what is within our control, while the key to being miserable is dwelling on that which is outside of our control. For example, someone who doesn't like the shape of their nose could dwell on this feature. Or, they could try to maintain a clean and presentable appearance. In my relationships with friends and family members, I could think about how I want someone else to change. Or, I could focus on changing my own behavior and outlook to avoid problems and strengthen these relationships.

After thinking about this devotional, I could see this idea woven throughout the novel. Esperanza meets many people who dream of a reality different from the one they know. Some of her neighbors focus on things outside their control. Marin is waiting for a man to marry her and take her off to live in a big house. Rafaela "dreams her hair is like Rapunzel's" (79). Esperanza's Mama dreams of winning the lottery and buying all the things they've ever wanted.

On the other hand, Esperanza learns from the examples of those who do all in their power to make their dreams a reality, by focusing on what is within their control. Her friend Alicia "is young and smart and studies for the first time at the university. Two trains and a bus, because she doesn't want to spend her whole life in a factory or behind a rolling pin" (32). Alicia understands that we can't change some circumstances, but that we will achieve the most in life if we accept this and continually strive to improve in the ways we are able.