Week 2 Virgin of Guadalupe

If you grew up with the Virgin of Guadalupe, reflect on your own experiences. What did/does she mean to you, your family? How do you feel about the feminist interpretations of Chicana artists and about questioning the legend/icon?

If you did not grow up with this image, then reflect on an important icon/image in your own family, community, culture. Tell us the story/legend of this icon, and its meaning. Has it been reinterpreted? How would you question it's legend?

I grew up with the Virgin around me in many different forms.  Being mixed race, Italian and Mexican, the virgin was everywhere in her many forms.  However the Virgen de Guadalupe was more present in my life.  She is everywhere and I consider myself a collector.  Anytime I see anything with her image, I feel compelled to buy it.  This has included, but is not limited to, piggy banks, wallets, shirts, candles, cell phone cases, bags, paintings, earrings, hair clips and even a belly button ring !  I am not a particularly religious person, however I feel la Virgen transcends religion and becomes an important cultural figure.  To me she is always transforming and takes on many forms.

The original story of the virgen was that she appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous man, and told him to build a church for her.  However, the virgen has been re-imagined in many ways.  The legend falls short in historical accuracy in the form of dates, evidence, and some discrepancies .

I enjoy the feminist interpretations greatly!  I do not see any disrespect in the images in any way.  I think that they have taken a ubiquitous image of Chicana women and using it to tell stories about the Chicana experience that falls outside of the mold of virginous, dutiful mother.  I don't think that this is ever done with malicious intent, but is used instead to communicate a story or a feeling.