Hot Tamales: Latin Flair and Real Latinos

Respond to “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria”

This response should be 2-3 paragraphs long. The points below should be covered in the context of the blog.

· What is Cofer’s purpose?

· Who is her audience?

· What are three key methods Cofer uses to reach her purpose?

· What is your personal response to this work?

         The author of “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria”, has brought to light several concerns of Latina women to a caucasion working audience. She addresses such issues as why Latina women dress the way that they do, and the stereotype that surrounds them. Demonstrativly using, writing, performance, and herself as public example; Cofer poors out emotions in her writings and the way that she addresses the people around her.

         She charges herself with her heritage,and resents the way that people view her for it. She states that Latino women are boxed in and stereotyped according to their limited knowledge of the English language and no trained working skills. Then later in the essay she points out that "feminine Hispanic scholars" are lead to believe that the way Latina women are portrayed prevent them from getting jobs, promotions, and advancements in general. 

         She severes her documented evidence with her own statement about Latina women. If the fact is that they are not proficient in the local language, not educated, and know the social standards set in the society, and knowingly ignore them claiming heritage, then what outcome for their women can their be.

          Don't misunderstand my statement. I am just pointing out the "facts" as the essay puts them. I also believe that you should acknowledge and follow social customs of the area that you are in. If the rest of the world veiws an overly tight skirt, provacative make-up, and a sultry walk as a come on, then may be you should re-evaluate your dress and the way you walk. Again don't get me wrong. I love to show a little cleave and strut my "stuff". I just don't do it at work or church.

          Every social situation has some type of outline of conformity that is set. If you knowingly defy these forms of etiquette, then you knowingly put yourself in situations that you could have avoided. I agree with the writer that the way Latina women are seen isn't a fair assessment of who they are as a people. I feel that alot of the essay is not just about Latina women, but women in general.

          Lots of women of different cultures face the very same problems that Latina's face everyday. It coincides with the same issues that plague the other cultures. Low literacy, poor language, lack of education, poverty, and inability to provide oneself the basic needs in life. I myself grew up poor to two alcoholic parents in a country neighborhood. This left me as the "nigger" in the community. Only in a white school if you are a "white nigger" I should point out from experience that the proper term is "wigger". A co-joining of the two words that followed me until college.

           While I sympathize and have experiences that involve the writer's plight, some circumstances are created. If I had not dressed like Madonna and Janet Jackson , I would have been just plain trailer trash and subject to alot less ridcule. I, like the writer, was not about to be held down by everyone else's general opinion of me. When it is all said and done, I did have to take the consequences n of my own actions.

           If she wants the view of Latina's changed, then she should go to what she feels is the root of the problem. Help her people get educated and become proficient in English. She shouldn't try to go to other countries to attempt to leave her heritage, she should go to other countries to show that ettiquitte can be followed and at the end of the day there is one great salsa waiting when you get home!