Week 5 Blog Post

    As a Catholic woman and as a Chicana/Latina born and raised in Los Angeles, my experience with the Virgin de Guadalupe has been a constant in my life. Growing up I was taught at a very young age that she was someone important and that was considered our true mother. On top of that, she is an exceptional figure to look up to and strive to be like in any way we can emulate her as women. El reso de la Ave Maria is something that I learned at home from my mother even before attending catholic church school on Sundays. Ever since I could remember I do not leave my parents house without hearing those sacred words come out my mother's mouth as I head out the door, "que dios te bendiga y la Virgencita de Guadalupe te proteja mija". The Virgin de Guadalupe surrounds my life everyday, especially now spending most the time at home because of the pandemic. In my parent's house there are about twenty-three Virgen de Guadalupe framed images or religious figures all around the house, and in each and every room. It is hard for me to think of when la Virgencita has not been part of my life. 

    There are also some pressure felt along with the sense of serenity she brings to my life as a Catholic Latina. There are the pressures of trying to emulate her as much as possible and shame that comes along with not falling in line with those expectations from the Catholic and Chicanx/Latinx community. Pressures such as purity, nurturing nature, motherhood, and modesty. As Chicanx/Latinx women, we are expected to attain a certain level of purity along with modesty at all times. Any expression otherwise considered to be revealing or sexual would fall under the ideology of "santa or puta" that we know exists heavily today. Something that resonate a lot with is the pressures of being nurturing and being inclined to motherhood. I am not sure I want to be a mother some day and as a Latina and only daughter amount 3 boys, I get a lot of crap from family when I mention the fact that I am not entirely sure of the concept of having children one day. Deep down I am aware that the instinct of motherhood isn't something that is the same for every woman, in some cultures and religions those instincts feel almost as if they are forced on you. I have a strong sense of belief in my catholic religion but I am aware of the projections that my religion can have on women and the shame it cane bring with it.