The dual identity is how the population perceived people, particularly women, who were born half American and half Mexican. Those people are called Chicana, and the female representatives, Chicano, were viewed either as a virgin or a whore, creating extreme definitions and not considering other images (Anzaldúa 43). There is three main representation of women in Mexican culture: the virgin Mary raped woman and the woman who cries (Anzaldúa 46). Those depictions helped foster this duality, and Anzaldua decided to dedicate her life to fighting the prejudices and bringing awareness to the public about Chicana.
Moreover, she did not stop speaking Spanish, although she would sometimes get problems because of that. Anzaldua even referred to it as her “homeland” because this is a crucial part of her identity and defines her origins and culture (Anzaldúa 42). I have experienced a similar duality in my family with my parents. They mostly view me as an innocent child, but if I do or say something that does not resonate with them or think differently, I feel that I become a stranger, an evil one. The best way to deal with it is to have an open conversation with my parents about our emotions and the fact that I am not a child anymore and cannot be perfect all the time. I learned from the film that a significant part of the land and wealth the United States gained after the war between the Mexicans and Americans (Episode 1: Foreigners in Their Own Land). All the territory that once was Mexico, such as Nevada and Arizona, was taken away from the population and declared American.
Affirmative action seems to be a good and helpful policy for several reasons. Racial and ethnic minorities have been discriminated against for too many years, while white people receive all the benefits and remain significantly privileged. According to Skrentny, “a recent analysis of public attitudes towards affirmative action found public opinion goes beyond simply affirmative rejection action” (5). Thus, society is not ready to admit the need for some extra advantages for minorities which could be fair compensation for the damage that has been done to them. The constitution should be colorblind, but it can hardly happen shortly while systematic racism exists. It may occur approximately in a couple of years because racism is still rooted too deeply in society.
Works Cited
Anzaldúa, Gloria. How to tame a wild tongue. Aunt Lute Books, 1987.
Episode 1: Foreigners in Their Own Land. Directed by Salme M. Lopez Sabina, Latino Americans, 2013.
Skrentny, John David. The ironies of affirmative action: Politics, culture, and justice in America. University of Chicago Press, 2018.