Questions for Professor Gaspar de Alba

The essay titled, There's No Place Like Aztlan, provided greater knowledge and understanding of the symbolisms used by Chicana/o Artists in the creation of the mythical place of Aztlán. Moreover this essay delves into the issue of identity and the need for acceptance or belonging that inevitably allows identities to formulate a place whether it is an existing locale such as the Southwest or in the imaginary such as Aztlán. The question that I would like to propose from this particular reading is what does it mean to go beyond identity?   

            I don’t believe that this concept is currently possible, or if it will ever be possible. I feel that those who propose such a thing are overlooking the issues that create identities. As if we lived in an environment that no longer looks as differences as either dominant or inherently flawed. Yet I wonder if this concept is an attempt to put to an end to the categorizing of the so-called Latin American art as being the opposite of western contemporary art. Going beyond identity to me is to over generalize the work of the Chicanas/os, and Latinas/os, that is to only focus on color, line and form and to inevitably ignore the experiences and values of the creator of this work. I believe it impossible to separate the personal from the work of an artist and it’s through the personal that one builds their identity.  

The essay titled, Out of the House, the Halo, and the Whore’s Mask, provides much analysis of the work of the Chicana artist during the Chicano movement. This essay reveals much of the male sensitivities towards women and their suppressed roles as women for the community and for the “Causa”. The question that I have from this reading is how does a woman reconcile the possibility of becoming an “Adelita” that is to become a good whore?

            Moreover how are women suppose to be given any thought as important figures or contributors to the cause if the community of male chauvinist keep reducing women to vessels of flesh. Women have historically possessed the status of the second gender how can she break away from being used as a breeder (mother) to being taken as a whore. Seemingly to the popular Chicano ideal is that there is no escaping what the 3 Maria's represent.