Week 5 Discussion Post

 As a Latino that grew up an evangelical Christian, I never knew much of the image except for the disrespectful and rude comments the “loving” church-member said about her. I make the distinction in my (Evangelical) Christianity because Catholics are Christians themselves, just a different denomination. It wasn’t until I was introduced to Chicanx Studies where I began to learn more about the Virgin of Guadalupe and her importance to the Chicanx Movement. However, before that my individual opinion was that Catholics aren't real Christians because they cared more about praying to the Virgen, than God himself. I believed (in my Agnostic mind) that if God was truly almighty or even cared about us, he didn’t need an intercessor. I still believe this to be true today considering that the requirements to be a Catholic are to be baptised as an infant against your free will, reluctantly attending catechism classes, and simply professing your association through jewelry and statues. However, upon further examination I have honestly begun to appreciate the rich history and significance of the Virgin, albeit a more historical appreciation than a religious one. I say this because to many who aren’t theologically or philosophically inclined, the Virgen is the only symbol of religious importance, above God him/herself. The Virgin symbolizes oppressive gender norms that expect women to be pious, submissive, and passive. Nonetheless, to some the Virgin symbolizes cultural heritage and female empowerment. Both fields can be argued about extensively, but after all, the Virgin herself, as a symbol, exists to be a reflection of any particular given values that one decides to impose. She is what we make of her.