Unity – E367: Writing and Diversity

Favorite Quotes

“In empathy, women have taken the lead. But so too have many men, such as the great fictional Huck Finn and the extraordinary, forgiving Eric Lomax. By itself, more empathy will not solve all the world’s problems; but more empathy would make it an entirely different world.”
Arlie Hochschild, “Empathy Maps”

“I definitely believe that Americans tend to lose sight of what this country is – a conglomeration of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, religions, classes, etc etc. We are constantly battling it out on social media and out in the streets fighting between massive groups… even though in the end, don’t we all want the same thing? Unity? Love? Cooperation? Trust? Compassion? Hope? A better future?”
Ashley Steele, “Your Dreams Do Not Have to Come at the Expense of My Dreams

Throughout the past 4 weeks in this course, I have approached each piece we have read looking for an answer or a quick fix to these cultural differences. After listening to Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech, I realized that there is not a single solution. As hard as one may try, we cannot completely knock down these walls that separate us. I think that this is a clear point that Obama’s speech highlights and, while obvious, we tend to overlook this.

Obama reminds us that we are not a perfect union, nor will we ever be perfect.However, if we don’t at least try to come together then division will persist. He affirms that our “racial wounds” are not an issue that can be solved “in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy”. This is something that America, as a whole, must work on together throughout time.

“The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really worked through – a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.”

There is benefit in addressing the fact that borders exist. We cannot run from situations that bring up these contact zones in fear of an igniting a controversy. “Retreating to our respective corners” would be doing the country a disservice. While we cannot silence our differences, we also cannot allow controversy to evoke hatred. Obama notes that it was not the Reverend’s remarks that made the campaign take a “divisive turn” but our reaction to the remarks.

“A More Perfect Union” is a call to action for every individual in America. Obama has managed to cross the border lines and connect to every with a unifying mentality. He urges Americans to accept the imperfections of prejudice and find what unifies us: survival, freedom, and hope so that we, as a nation, can prosper. Obama exemplifies this in his dilemma over Reverend Wright’s offensive remarks. Taking the high road, he recognized the part of himself in his Reverend: “As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me”. There would be no good to come out of denouncing his reverend. Likewise, if Americans succumb to negativity, then we are essentially continuing the cycle and worsening the racial wounds.

We Need More Unity

After reading Anzaldúa’s piece, I was thoroughly intrigued by her use of language and how she would switch back from English to Spanish. This created a unique piece that I would describe as not “Anglo” literature or “Chicano” literature, but instead a combination of the many influences she has had on her writing as well as her life experiences. For example, she writes about the many languages used in the Southwest, which were: Standard English, Working slang English, Standard Spanish, Standard Mexican Spanish, North Mexican Spanish dialect, Chicano Spanish, Tex-Mex, and Pachuco. All of these languages and/or dialects influence her writing and it is shown in this work. Therefore, I would argue that Anzaldúa’s work was not an American or a Mexican piece, but an amalgamation of the unique culture present in America’s Southwest.

Although I did thoroughly enjoy Anzaldúa’s piece and the structure of it, I do have some issues with parts of her work. For example, she constantly utilizes the words ‘we’ and ‘our’ when referring to Chicanos. Does this mean that she is speaking for all Chicanos? If so, I feel that it is very difficult for one person to accurately speak for an entire group of people. In addition, I feel that she could have ended her work on a more conciliatory tone. For example, in her second to last paragraph she makes the statement, “tenémos que hacer la lucha,” which roughly translates to we have to fight. Also, the last paragraph it almost sounds if she is saying that Chicano and American culture is incompatible; and that Chicanos “will walk by the crumbling ashes as we go about our business…we, the mestizas and mestizos, will remain.” This quote and the general tone of her ending should have stressed unity and co-existing, not that only the mestizas and mestizos, will remain.

Tag: Unity

Favorite Quotes

Healing the Wounds

We Need More Unity