Week 3 Blog: Self- Determination

Shifra Goldman's essay features the hardships Chicanos/Latinos have gone through under each classification- race, ethnicity, and class. For example, under the section "Race," Goldman points out the stereotype that Mexicans are known for being lazy. Yolanda Lopez has proven this stereotype to be wrong by creating a mixed-media sculpture named Mexican Chair. On the back of the chair, there is an image of a "Sleeping Mexican", however, the seat contradicts this image. Resembling a cactus with its spikes, the seat is proving that Mexicans are hardworking individuals. In fact, no race should be considered lazy. Every person is hardworking in his or her own way regardless of race, ethnicity, or class.

Goldman also highlights the United Farm Workers protests. Every Chicano, Mexican, and Latin American fought for better working conditions. This meant marching in the heat and getting sprayed with pesticide for disobeying one's boss. No matter what hardship a Latino/ Chicano went through, they persisted to continue protesting. This relentlessness determination to fight for better living conditions is well-represented in Yolanda Lopez's Portrait of the Artist as Virgin of Guadalupe. Lopez is strong, confident, and determined in a stride that represents the individuality of Chicana/Latina. She is so focused on what's ahead that she is trampling over an angel. Lopez demonstrates the determination to fight against stereotypes, which can also represent the groups of Latinos/Chicanos that were determined to fight for better working conditions.