Questions for Professor Gaspar de Alba

Essay 1:  Out of the House, the Halo, and the Whore’s Mask: The Mirror of Malinchismo 

In essay 1, the author writes that early feministas were highly critiqued by early leaders of the movement, calling them “white middle-class “wannabes”” and “…anti-Chicano.” In my opinion, this made me portray the early movement leaders as being close-minded and have only one perpective to political problems. Would you agree that if the early Chicano leaders had listened to the early feministas  that there would have been a bigger impact made in the Chicano community, in terms of the political issues they were experiencing at the time by having a different view on these issues? 

In the essay, it explains that early feminists were essentially ignored by the early leaders and their followers simply because they were trying to be something that they were not. I see this as being simple minded. I honestly think that by hearing what others have to say and what they believe you learn what else there is in the world and what others think besides your own ideas. In the end, you don’t have to agree, but knowledge empowers oneself and quite possibly could strengthen your beliefs or change them for the better. If early leaders had listened to these feminists, I wonder how that would have changed the movement and their progress. Calling the early feminists names such as “men-haters, lesbians, and threats to the beliefs and values of la familia” not only shows how early leaders were not open to others and their ideas, but it also shows how far we have come from an isolated mind to a world where others can now speak their minds. Of course people still encounter struggles, but l feel like life for the Chicanos has definitely changed.  

Essay 2: There's No Place Like Aztlan: Embodied Aesthetics in Chicana Art

While reading through There’s No Place Like Aztlán Embodied Aesthetics in Chicana Art by author Gaspar de Alba I actually learned a lot and although coming from a Mexican background I never learned much about the history of my culture. It was interesting to learn about Aztlán and El Movimiento. Prior to this reading I had never heard of Aztlán, it was an unknown word to me. During my reading though, I encountered a part where the author begins explaining that Aztlán is a place for the male Chicano identity and I immediately wondered as to why the female Chicanas were excluded from this place called Aztlán?

I come from a Mexican background, however, my knowledge in Mexican history is not up to par. I do not really know many things about Mexican history so it is quite interesting to read these essays and get a historical background on things. When the author, Gaspar de Alba, was talking about Dorothy earlier in the essay and then talked about Aztlán, I correlated the two as being a place of warmth and comfort. I interpret Aztlán as being a homelike and restful place where people can unite and be happy as one. What I don’t understand is that Chicanas aren't included this place. Is there a specific reason as to why Chicanas are left out? Was Aztlán a dwelling primarily  meant for males?