Dutiful Hijas

The tradition of marianismo was new to me since I never heard of the term before. I\was surprised by the meaning and the first thing in my mind that came up is, Does this still exist? For me I thought it was the opposite usually the son or daughter always depending on the mother or father for help. Of course every son and daughter wants to be there for their mother just as Martinez states. Sometimes we can not always be there for our mother and that's when I disagree with the idea of marianismo by my parents. My father always taught me to depend on no one but yourself he showed me how I should be just in case none of my parents were there. With my father's teachings I worked at a young age that way I wouldn't rely on my parents financially but mentally I would always go to them. I can see where marianismo comes from and how it is dealt with, today there is still the custom of the mother staying at home. That's also why I disagree since a family should all collaborate to make it a successful family. It amazed me how many of these ideas came through my head when I read the readings. Reading further it said how there are ten commandments with marianismo and among them was "Do not be single self-supporting, or independent-minded." This goes with the idea of my father and mother raising me, reading this made me shake my head. I disagreed completely because depending on other people is not good for the person itself. It is best to grow on your own and realize your own mistakes and ways.

Borderlands/La Frontera

Reading this passage gave me a sense of joy since I am Mexican and what Anzaldua says is true. The whole idea of Mexicans not rising to be great has been in my mind. I connected with this passage since I am a first generation student and it's overwhelming since I am Mexican. Being Mexican is something I am proud of I sometimes consider myself more of a Mexican than an American even though I was born here. Being Mexican to me means to go further in my studies and to break stereotypes of Mexicans and to show everyone else not all Mexicans are lazy. As Anzaldua says how she was amazed a Mexican writer published a book she didn't feel alone anymore. That's how i felt when I read Anzaldua's novel in a way it inspired me. It also reminded me there are "chicano" authors out there which made me want to read books from them. I would like to purchase Borderlands/La Frontera, even though it was written in 1987 there is still a problem of Mexicans rising in society. The problem is worldwide since it is not only Mexicans with the problem but also other minorities as well. Even though I am just one person I would like to give an example that Mexicans can be noticed in society.

Little Failure

Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart made me think about my life in general. Shteyngart discusses how he was a failure throughout his years but I believe he wasn't a failure. No matter how many times he has failed he always keeps trying. I believe that's what life is all about, Shteyngart discusses about board topics. He discussed about his experience about immigration. Through his talks about immigration I connected myself to Shteyngart, I can relate since my parents were not born here. I got more of the understanding what immigrants go through especially my parents. It made me appreciate what I have today and sometimes I can say I am a little failure as well. My father always tells me I'm more advantaged then him since I am a citizen here in the United States but sometimes I just don't appreciate that. I would just be on my phone and focus on other things besides my future. That's how I believe I am a failure at times but not caring and not focusing on what I need to focus on. Shteyngart talks in depth how a failure he was with drugs, woman, school and so on. With the stories Shteyngart discusses it makes me realize everybody has a story no matter what they been through. The stories show every one fails in life all the time the only thing we have to do is keep moving on to become what we want to be.