La virgen de Guadalupe is an image I saw everywhere growing up. I saw it in frames and effigies that my mom placed around our home. I saw her when we went to church on Sundays. As I grew older and less religious, I learned that la virgen is an important icon for Mexico, regardless of religion. I remember I was in high school and my brother was in the hospital, that I would pray to la virgen. This was long after I had stopped calling myself catholic. To me, she has represented a symbol of strength in times of crisis.
I really enjoy the feminist interpretations of la virgen. I find the reactions and criticism of them to be very telling about where we are as a society. These interpretations are important because they challenge the white hereropatriarchal status quo. And I like that they're funny. It adds some levity to what was always interpreted as a very somber and serious icon.
Eliana, this post is too short. Please add to it by commenting on either lectures or the essays by Prof. Alicia Gaspar de Alba.
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