Something that has been on my radar for the last couple months has been social media and how it affects our language. I am very active on social media, I have about 5 social media accounts that I check on a daily basis. I like that I can see random people's lives and see what they are doing at that exact moment. It has helped my relationship with friends and family. Well as far as knowing what is going on in their lives, or what they choose to show.
I am very aware that there is a lot of bad in the world and we do seem to be disconnecting from the does closest to us at times because of technology. I like to look at the internet as a place where even I have a voice. Where I can share my thoughts and ideas. Its connecting the world and is the future. It makes me a bit sad when I talk to peers and I hear things like "Nowadays there is so much violence". Umm...the violence has been here all along the fact that it can be shared and go viral is the only difference.
As I have mentioned before this year I have really opened y eyes to what life really is and have discovered a whole new level of my own inner strength. in thee last 2-3 years I have really noticed how there is a Meme for everything. For those of you don't know what a meme is, its usually a picture of something, a person or object and there is words describing something going on in the picture. The words are usually negative or by what some people refer to as "funny". I have reposted my share of memes and laughed at more than I can count. With my new found knowledge I have learned that some memes are just pushing it and make important issues seem irrelevant. And what a great way to distract a whole new generation that is growing up with a cell phone in hand. Most of my friends on my social media accounts are currently using "Meme Lingo". When posting or sending a picture. Lets say a picture of myself holding and ice ream cone without the ice cream part and I decide to post it on social media with a caption that reads "I'm so bummed out that I dropped my ice cream". The Meme Lingo would read "The face you make when you drop your ice cream" . I'm not saying that Meme Lingo is bad but to be aware of what we are doing because you cant write a paper for class and talk like that. And I am aware that its part of the Millennial generation. Sure, it can be funny sometime and it has become part of our daily life. Don't let this culture socialization distract you from the real issues that need to be addressed.
Something that has such amazing power has just been molded to be used against us. a coupe years ago advertising and media was accessible to us from television, billboards, magazines, buses, benches well you get the idea. But now I see it in my social media and emails with a more frequency. I am a full functioning adult and I am aware of what's s going on. I'm being told on a daily basis how I should look, how to act, what I should smell like and even what hair to remove on my body. I know it seems a but ridiculous to think about but that is the reality.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Chicana : No Soy de Aqui ni de Alla
This last week we discussed Chicana Feminism in my Women Studies Class. We read a chapter from Borderlands La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldua. While reading it I could relate so much. Even though it does describe an older generation of Chicanos.
I recall spending my summers in Tijuana during middle school with my cousins. I was used t being around my kind of people. Santa Ana is about 78% Latino in 2010 according to the Census Bureau . In my young naïve brain I thought the two places would be the same. I felt so out of place, culturally. My Spanish always felt like it wasn't good enough. I had to switch from my Spanglish to all Spanish. Even though my cousins and I were able to communicate we lived in different worlds. Over the years it has been hard for me to really connect with those in my family that live in Mexico. There is only about one cousin that I can say that I have a better connection with. Despite not seeing each other for 7 years. It felt nice to just pick up where we left off.
My 1st language was Spanish because that's what my parents spoke. Once I started school everything stayed in Spanish until 3rd grade. Once English became the primary language in school I freaked out. I felt that same sense of not belonging and it was a daily reminder that I didn't fit in. I recall being in Miss Penas 2nd grade class and hearing the principal over the morning announcements and as they were over the whole class (all Spanish speakers) would look over to her and wait for the translation. Even then I hated being clueless of what is going on around me. This is a huge reason why I like learning so much.
What I could relate to the most in last weeks Women's Studies assignment was the tremendous sense of belonging I felt as I understood where I stand. No Soy de Aqui ni de Alla. (I'm not from here or there). I'm from both places. After he chapter I asked myself if I am turning my back on my Mexican heritage. Being a Feminist and a Chicana don't really seem to go hand in hand. Some may say that they contradict one another. To me they don't because I am Chicana is my social location and being feminist is that I want equality towards all women. Being a Chicana feminist does not mean that I have joined the other side or "white ideas". Before the Europeans came to the Americas there was more equality between men and women. Religion. language and culture that are part of the regular Mexican culture was the Spaniards work. of coarse if that hadn't happened many years ago I would be here blogging about it. I embrace my Mexican heritage because I speak several languages there is Standard English, Standard Mexican Spanish, Working Class English, Slang English, Standard Spanish, Chicano Spanish and my favorite Pachuco.
For the record I hate the word Pocho/Pocha. That word is used to insult Chicanos or any people of Hispanic or Latino heritage that speak poor English or no English at all. This insult mostly comes from people that were raised in Mexico. The fact that person from my own descent is telling me that I am basically not Mexican enough is very hurtful. The thing of it is, that you aren't even speaking our native tongue. Spanish was forced on the natives. We are natives mixed with Spaniards and I get to add American to that.
I recall spending my summers in Tijuana during middle school with my cousins. I was used t being around my kind of people. Santa Ana is about 78% Latino in 2010 according to the Census Bureau . In my young naïve brain I thought the two places would be the same. I felt so out of place, culturally. My Spanish always felt like it wasn't good enough. I had to switch from my Spanglish to all Spanish. Even though my cousins and I were able to communicate we lived in different worlds. Over the years it has been hard for me to really connect with those in my family that live in Mexico. There is only about one cousin that I can say that I have a better connection with. Despite not seeing each other for 7 years. It felt nice to just pick up where we left off.
My 1st language was Spanish because that's what my parents spoke. Once I started school everything stayed in Spanish until 3rd grade. Once English became the primary language in school I freaked out. I felt that same sense of not belonging and it was a daily reminder that I didn't fit in. I recall being in Miss Penas 2nd grade class and hearing the principal over the morning announcements and as they were over the whole class (all Spanish speakers) would look over to her and wait for the translation. Even then I hated being clueless of what is going on around me. This is a huge reason why I like learning so much.
What I could relate to the most in last weeks Women's Studies assignment was the tremendous sense of belonging I felt as I understood where I stand. No Soy de Aqui ni de Alla. (I'm not from here or there). I'm from both places. After he chapter I asked myself if I am turning my back on my Mexican heritage. Being a Feminist and a Chicana don't really seem to go hand in hand. Some may say that they contradict one another. To me they don't because I am Chicana is my social location and being feminist is that I want equality towards all women. Being a Chicana feminist does not mean that I have joined the other side or "white ideas". Before the Europeans came to the Americas there was more equality between men and women. Religion. language and culture that are part of the regular Mexican culture was the Spaniards work. of coarse if that hadn't happened many years ago I would be here blogging about it. I embrace my Mexican heritage because I speak several languages there is Standard English, Standard Mexican Spanish, Working Class English, Slang English, Standard Spanish, Chicano Spanish and my favorite Pachuco.
For the record I hate the word Pocho/Pocha. That word is used to insult Chicanos or any people of Hispanic or Latino heritage that speak poor English or no English at all. This insult mostly comes from people that were raised in Mexico. The fact that person from my own descent is telling me that I am basically not Mexican enough is very hurtful. The thing of it is, that you aren't even speaking our native tongue. Spanish was forced on the natives. We are natives mixed with Spaniards and I get to add American to that.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Bad Habits
There are a few bad habits that seem a bit normal to me. And since I cat seem to think tonight because of this damn cold thanks to the lame weather we have been having in Sothern California this last week. Like 3 digit weather isn't bad enough during summer but OCTOBER, really?
1. I hate cleaning, unless I'm home alone.
2.I'm a huge procrastinator.
3.I don't shave my legs when I'm single.
4. I let my dirty clothes pile up in my room.
5.I'm horrible at saving money. (I'm working on it I swear)
6. I don't wash y dishes or clothes since my mom and I moved in together.
7. I let the people I love keep hurting me because of their own inner pain.
8. I day dream way too much!
9. I am addicted to my cell phone.
10. Sometimes I'm too honest and I expect the same back.
11.I love eating bread, jelly and quesadillas. Not good for loosing weight.
12. The longest I went without a shower was a week, when I was a kid.
13. I take on average 15 selfies a day.
14. I don't brush my hair.
15. I sleep way too much on weekends about 10-15 hours in a night.
Been super busy lately but I will keep up with my posts! and hopefully this cold LEAVES soon!
GOOD NIGHT!
1. I hate cleaning, unless I'm home alone.
2.I'm a huge procrastinator.
3.I don't shave my legs when I'm single.
4. I let my dirty clothes pile up in my room.
5.I'm horrible at saving money. (I'm working on it I swear)
6. I don't wash y dishes or clothes since my mom and I moved in together.
7. I let the people I love keep hurting me because of their own inner pain.
8. I day dream way too much!
9. I am addicted to my cell phone.
10. Sometimes I'm too honest and I expect the same back.
11.I love eating bread, jelly and quesadillas. Not good for loosing weight.
12. The longest I went without a shower was a week, when I was a kid.
13. I take on average 15 selfies a day.
14. I don't brush my hair.
15. I sleep way too much on weekends about 10-15 hours in a night.
Been super busy lately but I will keep up with my posts! and hopefully this cold LEAVES soon!
GOOD NIGHT!
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