Confessions of Fear
In her one act comedy, Confessions of Women from East LA, Josefina López explores (among other things) the intersections between race, gender, sexuality, and citizenship in East Los Angeles. I wonder what light her characters can shed on the role that these identities and fear play in our current political divide.
Marisa “La Valentina” Chavez rallies the revolutionaries in the basement of Killer Tacos (in modern diction) to ‘get woke’: “Today I heard something very disturbing and wanted to cry, but tears don’t change things; action does. It’s 1996 gente, raza, but before we know it, with all the Republicans in office, it will be 1950 again! Women won’t be able to get safe and legal abortions, affirmative action will be gone, under-represented people like us won’t have equal access to jobs…All that was fought for and accomplished in the ’60s will be lost.”
A few pages later she states: “This is no longer a “white America,” and that is why there is a backlash against us. The closer we get to reaching our goals to liberate ourselves, the more afraid people in the establishment get.” (p.143)
To what extent are these fears (on both sides) prevalent today? What role does fear play in our current discourse around immigration and identity politics? As divided as our nation is in 2018, what does she offer as a way forward? Where does the founding story of Los Angeles situate us in this narrative?
To a great extent are these fears still prevalent today. With our current president passing anti-immigratory laws as well as anti-abortion laws being passed in several states, our nation has been taking steps backwards into the past. The countless police brutality videos being streamed online through the media highlights the pure fact that dehumanization toward Black Americans have been perpetuated throughout history. The mass incarceration and criminalization targeting Black Americans have just transitioned from slavery, to segregation, and finally to police brutality and an unfair justice system. Fear plays a crucial role in our current discourse around immigration and identity politics; today, our world is suffering through an epidemic where fear replaces heart and logic as the mastermind of controlling our actions. The founding story of Los Angeles situates us in this narrative because it demonstrates that fear existed even back then. For example, when the Gold Rush ensued and the population boomed, settlers from all over migrated to California. However, laws were created, restricting the Chinese from mining in certain areas under the fear that people not of European descent were taking what is not theirs. This idea still navigates around us today. Fear of terrorism translates to assumptions and stereotypes made towards certain identities, that of which is predominantly the muslim identity, in order to protect oneself from those supposed “dangers.” As divided as our nation is in 2018, Chavez claims that placing your vote and speaking up about the things you believe in is the solution to a way forward. This claim has made me think about how our generation needs to be active and aware of nationwide news, doing things like pre-registering to vote and then following through with completing the ballot.
ReplyDeleteIn his “I Have a Dream Speech,” Martin Luther King Jr. recounts that “[the Constitution] was a promise that all men – yes, black men as well as white men – would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” King’s ideals, and the hopes of the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60s, transcended racial divides in favor of an America where civilian privileges were granted to any person regardless of identity. From mid-century leftist intention to unite America despite racial, religious, and gender and sexuality based lines, conservatives co-opted “colorblindness” as a way to protest legislation and activism addressing racial inequity. In response, later movements in the ‘80s and ‘90s encouraged group identity and alliance. With newfound consciousness of and pride in race, groups began to demand respect on the basis of a trait that had previously invited the exact opposite. Fast forward 30 years: With increased political tribalism between liberals and conservatives, right-wing identifiers have developed white identity politics. Ironically, fearful whites have mobilized around the idea that they are becoming a minority and marginalized group. Simultaneously, systematic conditions have hardly improved for POC in America, particularly since the 2016 election. As groups feel threatened, unacknowledged, or disrespected, justifiably in some cases and in others not, there is a retreat to what is familiar, soothing, and safe. Racial, religious, socioeconomic, and gender-based factions band together in defensiveness and in an effort to heal. Unfortunately, one group’s identification as the victim contradicts another group’s claim to oppression and invites further hostility. With each identity-based group in their own corner, there are few left to advocate for a nation that considers, above all, a single American identity. This total inclusion, however, is not sufficient because it does not leave room for acknowledgement of the unique histories of America’s marginalized populations. In the largely liberal, multicultural, subdivided Los Angeles, the immediate goal is exclusionary gathering and healing of identity-based groups and cross-boundary acknowledgement of historical minority struggle. Only then can the political and social goal transition from exclusionary to inclusive.
ReplyDeleteToday, people are afraid and have good reason to be. The political climate of modern America has left almost all groups of people, not just minorities, feeling marginalized in one way or another. Whether it be women fearful of losing their rights to reproductive healthcare or straight people in Boston fearful of losing their power as a majority group, a wave of fear has spread across the country, and in my opinion, this stems from a fear of change. Almost all big changes historically have been met with some sort of backlash. People protested when schools became desegregated. People protested when marriage equality was achieved. People protested when the justice system failed in LA. There have been so many changes in America over the past 3 years that it only makes sense that almost every single demographic has felt afraid at some point; however, I think that there is another type of fear that affects Americans separate from any group-mentality fear of losing power or rights. It is no secret that America is extremely partisan. It seems like the country has been split into two "sides", the left and the right, that are eternally diametrically opposed. Political discourse can seem daunting when everyone is afraid of being wrong or being "called out" or not knowing enough, but a lack of conversation is what leads to a lack of action. Americans' desire to stay in their comfort zones while discussing their beliefs with like-minded individuals is something that, in my opinion, inhibits changes from being made that could potentially help marginalized groups regain their rights and respect.
ReplyDeleteFear is extremely prevalent in today's politics, and it has divided us now more than ever. There seems to be a lack of dialogue between differing political ideologies for a combination of reasons all leading back to fear. On one hand, people are afraid to talk to one another for fear of offending or getting their point across in the wrong way or fear of being attacked verbally and even physically for their beliefs. Similar to what Rory stated in her reply, this lack of communication caused by fear further separates and stifles any change for good in the country. On the other hand, people are politically motivated by fear. Every time there is any sort of change there is fear and pushback. To take it out of a political context, people pushed back when Instagram changed their logo, their logo! If we, as a society, can barely stand a change in graphic design, it’s no surprise that when it comes to more far reaching and important issues change is absolutely terrifying. I think Los Angeles is unique compared to most places in the United States in that since its founding, it has become home to people of all different backgrounds and identities who over time have been able to find open and accepting communities. That being said, even today we have a long way to go with understanding one another and finding even ground, but that is impossible if we are too afraid to talk to one another.
ReplyDeleteOur nation is as divided as it has ever been. The intense political climate has caused our nation to split into two groups that refuse to agree with each other or compromise even if it means the worst for our nation. Due to the division in our country, African Americans are fearful to walk in the streets with a hood on, women are fearful that they may lose their choice over their bodies, and immigrants are forced to constantly look over their shoulder in fear of being deported. The fears mentioned in Confessions of Women from East LA are very much alive and prevalent in politics today. Fear plays a prominent role in the discourse surrounding immigration and identity politics, and it has since the beginning of United States history. White Americans fear that they are becoming the “minority” and therefore attempt to pass legislation to keep all immigrants out. Fear has divided our nation to the point where civil political discourse seems extinct. Chavez longs for people to vote for things you believe in and to have the courage to speak out against inequality, so our nation will move forward. I believe the division in the United States trickles down from the top; therefore, if our leaders continue to not have the ability to partake in civil discourse, the division in our nation will continue to grow.
ReplyDeleteFear dominates the political climate of the United States, and the truth is that most residents of the United States are afraid, whether they are part of the minority or majority. The black community fears police brutality, an ongoing issue that threatens the lives of many innocent people. Women fear the loss of the right to do what they choose with their bodies as abortion restrictions continue to increase throughout the United States. LGBTQ+ people fear the possibility that they might lose their legal protection in the workplace. Immigrants fear being separated from their families when attempting to start a life in the United States. On the other hand, the majority also has fears. Straight people fear the possibility of becoming a minority and have begun to construct Straight Pride Parades such as the one in Boston. Many Americans fear to allow certain ethnic groups into the United States due to preconceived notions and stereotypes about these groups that paint them as villains. With both the minority and the majority in America being in a constant state of fear, it disallows any form of unity. Even further, the United States is split by the right and the left, almost drawing striking similarities to the ludicrous relationship between the Capulets and the Montagues in Romeo and Juliet who, much like liberals and conservatives, never seek to compromise. The left and the right disdain each other. The right fears change, stemming from a history of having power and abusing that privilege. The left fears the lack of change, hoping that everyone escapes a subversive state. In this current political climate, Los Angeles falls into the liberal scope of the divide. Due to LA being a melting pot of cultures, it makes complete sense that Los Angeles would want to push for change and allow for minority groups to be treated as equals. Los Angeles began to establish itself as an exotic tourist attraction during the 20th century and began to showcase more cultures. Places in LA such as Olvera Street, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Little Saigon, and Koreatown acted as a world showcase and presented cultures from all around the world to “exoticize” California. Also, these places in LA made immigration to the United States seem much less scary to possible immigrants as they could maintain their culture all while being an American. This created the mixed cultural environment of LA, which greatly contributes to LA being more liberal than conservative. LA does contribute to the division of the United States. Until the left and the right begin to listen to each other and compromise effectively, the United States will continue to be split in half.
ReplyDeleteFear is extremely prevalent in today’s society, and it is a reason many policies are passed or not passed. On one side, people apart of the majority are afraid of certain policies being passed that would cause them to lose their power. People are afraid of equal pay, equal rights, equal opportunities, and more. This is because our country has functioned in one specific way that caters towards the majority. The majority do not feel the need to change because they have the power. On the opposite side, people are afraid of not being able to survive. A large part of our country is in desperate need of a policy change in order to survive. Our country is in need of new policies that will push us forward instead of returning to the 1950s where no one questioned the racist, sexist policies. Many people are afraid of what could happen to their family in the next year, month, week, or even day, and they have good reason to be worried. Our country, where supposedly all are welcome, has not been doing its job of taking care of those who need help and instead giving more to those who already have plenty. In many instances, people avoid bringing up certain topics because they are afraid that by expressing their true opinion, they will step on someone else’s toes. Beating around the bush will not get anyone anywhere. The only way to make progress is through action and the only way to take action is through discourse, but if people refuse or are reluctant to discuss these paramount topics, nothing will be done. Something our country offers as a way forward is the opportunity to use your voice, to use “freedom of speech” to your advantage, and to vote. It takes courage to share your true opinions, but all it takes is one courageous person to speak out for someone to listen. Los Angeles has experienced arguments over immigration, equal pay (especially in Hollywood), equal rights, etc.. Los Angeles is such a diverse place, and because Los Angeles is so diverse it has become better at learning to accept different people. Change can be a scary thing, but it is even scarier to revert back to old habits. Whenever people go from something they know to something out of their comfort zone, there is a tendency to push back. For many people, change will take some getting used to, but it is imperative that we continue to strive for it.
ReplyDeleteI think that fear of the “other” is certainly still infiltrating our political discourse today. We see this on both the Republican side and the Democratic side. For instance, due to most Democrats’ avid dislike for President Trump, today we see many Democrats or liberal-minded people turning on Republicans or conservative-minded people. This prejudice seems to stem from fear; fear that President Trump will be re-elected in 2020, fear that they and their families will be deported, fear that they will lose their right to an abortion — the list goes on. On the other side of things, Republicans today also can act in ways fueled by fear. President Trump has said and continues to spew terribly racist and objectively xenophobic rhetoric such as, “[Mexicans are] bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” or him issuing a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.” All these statements and viewpoints, no matter the political alignment or associated party of the speaker, boil down to a certain level of fear that has, quite frankly, become a staple of contemporary America. The discourse we are engaging in today regarding immigration and identity politics is plagued with fear, and typically this fear is felt by the majority group about the minority group (“Americans” and “illegal immigrants”, white people and black people, straight people and queer people, etc.) The heart of this issue is this new, scary mindset in America of “[some minority group] will not replace us,” which we saw probably for the first time at the Charlottesville march in 2017 with anti-Semitic signs saying “Jews will not replace us”. People in majority groups simply feel threatened, and this feeling of fear has translated into horrifying levels of hate, bigotry, and violence. Lopez’s line, “tears don’t change things; action does,” really speaks to me and gives me hope because it is eerily applicable to the America and to the world I live in today. Nowadays, social media has become an outlet for people, especially teens, to engage in “activism” and voice their concerns with contemporary issues. Almost every time something problematic or scary or concerning happens — whether this be a mass shooting or new Congressional action — the main response you see is a rejection of the “thoughts and prayers” mindset. Kids today are expressing an opinion very similar to Lopez’s — if we are upset with the status quo and we want to see change, we need to actually do something about it. The founding story of Los Angeles is also a story of fear-driven action. The indigenous people of Southern California were captured and dehumanized by the Spanish because the Spanish people feared for their own power in this new land. For their own security, they systematically subjugated the Native American people, and this action was all centered around a certain degree of fear.
ReplyDeleteI believe that these fears are still very prevalent today. It is clear that the fears Josefina Lopez showed Marisa “La Valentina” Chavez’s character having still apply today, if not with even more weight, because nearly all of the concerns she expressed came to fruition in one form or another. There is a Republican in office, and there is a Republican majority in the Senate. Lopez’s fears came true regarding abortion laws in Alabama, which recently passed the most restrictive abortion ban in the nation. The affirmative action debate continues. These events prove that her fears were not unfounded and also sheds light on the possibility that the fears that we have today could one day become a reality if no one pays attention. Fears from the “other” side, the side that typically takes the majority in American society, are expressed and even reinforced by the way that the leader of our country has been handling policy regarding immigration. As a country, we are supposed to look up to our president. But what is going to happen when our president is the one reinforcing fears of what he has decided as “the other”? Lopez offers standing up and speaking out against the majority, or “people in the establishment,” as a way of moving forward. This would dispel unfounded fear around what has unfortunately been established as “the other” and help to ensure that other fears that people may have will never become a reality. Educating others about what is true versus what is fictitious (but has been promoted through the majority) is the first step in dispelling fears on both sides. Los Angeles’s founding story places us nearly right in the middle of this. LA is now one of the largest and therefore most influential cities in the world, and we have had (and still have) one of the most diverse populations. Being such a spotlight city, we have the power to show the rest of the country the truths about minority populations that are less prevalent in other areas of the nation.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we have lived through a generally progressive era, recent years have polarized our nation more than ever, leaving either side unwilling to communicate with the other. Under the current president, we have seen countless rights, not privileges, slowly disappear over time, leaving minorities more discriminated against than ever. The immigration ban implemented during the President's term is clearly rooted in false stereotypes and only furthers the marginalization of Islamic culture. Additionally, we have seen no improvement regarding the ongoing issue of police brutality. It has continuously rattled our country's civilians and left the entire Black community in constant fear, yet no significant laws have been passed in an attempt to better the problem. Meanwhile, we have seen a steady increase in rallies dedicated to discriminating against and denouncing various minority groups. White supremacists have gained more confidence during Trump's term and have polarized the nation. This fear has left one side unable to have meaningful discourse with the other, as it usually ends in anger and accomplishes nothing. Republicans define themselves as a "white minority" and reject any ideas of innate privilege; ironically, at the same time, they nurse stereotypes about real minorities and discriminate against them accordingly. Chavez urges us to use our pent up anger not to sulk, but to take initiative. It would be very easy to feel insignificant and to lose hope in the future of our nation, but as a group, we are able to work towards real change. Especially in Los Angeles, the melting pot within a melting pot, where countless people from countless different backgrounds call home, if we can rise up as one, we can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteToday in America, our country is extremely divided, especially since the election of our current President in 2016. On one hand, the (mostly) white, wealthy, and powerful are supporting things such as Trump's idea to build a wall between Mexico and America in order to keep out illegal immigrants. These Americans support campaigns like this because they are fearful of losing their power and wealth, and that the white majority in America will become the minority if more and more immigrants (which even their ancestors were) enter the country. The opposing side are those who are either against these ideas, or are the immigrants themselves. The immigrants that the powerful are against, whether they are legal or not, are what hold up America, and without them, the country would collapse. They risked their lives to come to this country for a better life and opportunities for themselves and their families, and work countless hours at low pay jobs just to survive. Not only does this pay for THEIR rent, food, clothes, etc., but supports the COUNTRY a huge amount. Without the hard work of these people, the wealthy and powerful in America would not know what to do. These people who have always been placed in this position of power, wealth, and comfort, do not know what it is like to be discriminated against, have to work horrible, low pay jobs, and do not know anything other than finding a group to push down just to keep themselves on top, whether it be African-Americans, Muslims, or Mexican immigrants. These fears in the highest class of Americans have been in place for so long, and are the same fears carried on that were mentioned in the book "Confessions of Women from East LA." We all deserve an equal chance in the country that advertises "The American Dream" and "The Land of the Free", but we have a long way to go before equality is a valued moral in all of America.
ReplyDeleteI think the quote “This is no longer a “white America,” and that is why there is a backlash against us. The closer we get to reaching our goals to liberate ourselves, the more afraid people in the establishment get.” (p.143) rings true today. Right now the fears on the side of "white America" and the fear the rest of America experiences being pushed down or oppressed by the white side are still occurring today. In recent events when I hear the words "white America" I think about the recent shootings in schools committed by far right extremists and how many more socially conservative types do not consider these acts of terror as terrorism and instead consider them issues that are related to mental health or gun control. The Charlottesville car attack 2 years ago was motivated by many of the same toxic ideas from the 60s like racism, White supremacy, and Neo-Nazism. Many people who attended the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and were there to counter act the hate present were doing work that was similar to what was done during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The fear that "white America" has in Los Angeles relating to the founding of the city can be seen in how the story of the city's founding was told for decades. In the founding story of Los Angeles a group of upstart and brave Spaniards founded a small pueblo in the Los Angeles area and began to build it up as a strong city, but the thing that many retellings of this story forget to mention is the 2 black men, 8 "mulattos" (meaning mixed African and Spanish), and 9 Native Americans that were brought to the city to build, and start what would become Los Angeles. Then during the time period that Mexico was in control of California in the 1800's blacks were integrated fairly evenly in society in Los Angles, but following the Mexican American war many groups like the Chinese, Native Americans, and Blacks faced restrictive and racist legislation that broke up the more even cultural equality in Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteThe fears Marisa “La Valentina” Chavez refers to are commonplace in our America. Two years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, white supremacists repeatedly chanted, “Jews will not replace us! You will not replace us!” Clearly, there is a group of Americans that think success here is not based on the work you put in but the family you belong to. Fear plays a major role in our current discourse around immigration and identity politics. Most people do not highlight the positives of immigration but constantly talk about the negatives. The people who refuse to see any of the good that comes out of immigration are selfish and fear competition. Minorities in America have to work twice as hard as the majority to achieve the same goal and the majority is well aware of this. Chavez claims that action is the only thing that can make a change. However, in any circumstance, it will be nearly impossible to get America to be undivided. It seems things would not work if we were all in agreement; America would not be the place we all know today. Los Angeles started as an area that saw many different people inhabit its land. All of the different cultures and uses of Los Angeles reflect the diversity that Los Angeles would later be known for. For the most part, Los Angeles serves as an example of what the rest of America could be in terms of being welcoming and supportive.
ReplyDeleteIn Confessions of Women from East L.A., Josefina Lopez addresses many culturally, socially, and politically charged topics. One of her characters, Marisa Chavez, makes the claim that in 1996, the social climate was starting to revert back to that of the 1950s. I would claim that while there has been political and social change since then, the fear and isolation that existed in the 1950s, and 1996, still exists in 2019. The discourse surrounding identity groups has been approached by the public and the government as though equality for one group will result in inequality for another. In 2019, every identity group feels as though they are being marginalized or oppressed as though they are losing their power, rights, respect, and in some cases, their sense of belonging in an ever-changing society. Regardless of my, or anyone’s feelings about certain group’s claims of discrimination, every community’s feelings are valid, and their emotional response is authentic. Divides, however, arise when the reaction to those feelings and emotions is fear. Consequently, this fear saturates the discourse that surrounds identity politics. Every identity group is fighting for their community, and while that does give voice to the silenced and power to the oppressed, it can also result in further isolation and feelings of exclusion. One way to move past this barrier of separation is the removal of fear for this conversation. But how can that be achieved when today’s political, cultural, and societal climate can seem so hostile? I certainly do not have all of the answers, but I think that a great way to start would be by acknowledging the complex history of our nation and the identity groups that have shaped it. We need to come together and celebrate each groups’ cultural importance and their right to be heard.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the founding story of Los Angeles and its place in this narrative, I think it can only be characterized as ironic. Today, California, especially Los Angeles, is considered one of the most liberal, diverse, and ethnically accepting regions in the country. However, we know that centuries of California history contains repeated instances of new groups arriving in Southern California, and almost immediately using their power for oppression and cultural erasure. This history of effacement is clearly illustrated as we follow the timelines from the indigenous Californians to the Spanish, to the Mexican, and finally, to California's position in the United States. We also must acknowledge that the perceived acceptance and opportunity of Los Angeles is a facade that protects a city that is still rife with identity-based inequality. So while Los Angeles is now lauded as a melting pot of cultural acceptance, the same can not be said of our history.
I am not entirely convinced that the fears experienced by people of color in Los Angeles today are much less significant than they were 20 or 30 years ago. With the constant preoccupation of arrest and deportation looming over the lives of undocumented immigrants, our society is less inclusive and generous. With the race-based law enforcement strategies of the past still infested in modern Los Angeles agencies, our institutions have less integrity. Many segments of our society are and have regularly been afraid of their peers, the government, and of each other. Not only are marginalized people concerned with being harmed by the government, but they are also concerned with the reality that their fellow citizens may act on their own preoccupations and fears, as well as their prejudices, to disadvantage them in any number of ways. It is fascinating to examine how fear still plagues our immigration and identity politics discourse, and more importantly, how that fear influences peoples words and actions. When people get afraid, whether because they see a car speeding towards them as they cross the street, or because they see themselves becoming a less and less numerically significant and represented part of the country, considerations such as logical reason and empathy go out the window. Fear quickly consumes people and engages their "fight or flight" response, guiding them to the fastest and safest route to success, with the needs of others never being considered. As the white populations of the nation and city continue to experience decreased representation in politics, in the workplace, and in academia, their "fight or flight" response kicks in, sometimes fighting tooth and nail. Chaves asserts that standing up and speaking out is one of the more important steps we can take to ensure our liberties. She additionally advises people to exercise their fundamental American rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of petition, to make their voices heard. The history of the communities which make up Los Angeles is of growing interest to me, in part because of the divisions and borders drawn between them, largely due to fear. LA is a particularly interesting place to study because it represents so much of what America has to offer, including people from over 140 different countries and speaking over 220 different languages. Despite the city always housing such a diverse populous, it is almost shocking to see the amount of racial turbulence and heartache the town has endured since its founding. However, when I look at the city today, the people in it, and the way we interact with each other, I can't help but wonder if this was only made possible through decades and decades of clashing boundaries and cultures until the city finally settled in a state of coexistence. Or at least the closest thing to it I have ever seen.
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ReplyDeleteWhile being viewed as a more progressive and innovative generation, we still encounter many of the same problems that have been prevalent throughout the history of our nation. Laws that promoted equality and gave each individual access to basic human rights are now being replaced and altered. An example of one of these laws, which is now reinstated in some states, is the law giving women the right to have an abortion. Since the Roe vs Wade case in 1973, women have had the right in The United States to have an abortion. However this simple and basic human right is again being targeted, with states declaring the act of getting an abortion illegal. Along with the unfair laws still in place in today's society, minority groups are still facing extensive discrimination and prejudice. As a country whose declaration states that “all men are created equally”, one would assume that all people, no matter the sex, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality, could find refuge in America. However, this is not the case. The people of the United States willingly voted for a President that promotes inequality and discrimination, which in turn reveals the unbalance we have in our country. While being full of different cultures, people, and beliefs, the history of Los Angeles reveals the true nature of our country ranging from the murders of Native Americans to the LA riots, all of which reveal the problems our country faced and still face today.
ReplyDeleteThe fear that the character Chavez touches on in this quote is extremely relevant today. It seems as though every time a marginalized or underrepresented community in America gains support or status, the powers that be respond defensively (which Chavez would likely characterize as fearful). A great example of this was the election of four congresswomen of color in this past midterm election. Although it is progressive for the country to have a more representative elected body in congress, the president continues to alienate and attack the women, sometimes not even for their political opinions (chanting “send her back” about a Somalian congresswoman). The way the president regards the women and their opinions is senseless and discriminatory, but it goes to show the extent to which many people will go in order to maintain a certain amount of power. Giving underrepresented communities a platform will not take power away from anyone per se, but according to Chavez (and as is shown through current events), to many, it does enough to be scared into baseless hatred. The whole position of hatred and fear in today’s political and social climate is cyclical: those in power are afraid to lose it, and those without the privilege power are understandably afraid to speak up, lest they face the consequences. So much of liberal political discourse today has to do with giving a platform to historically underrepresented groups, but what if that platform is the very thing that puts someone at risk? I’d imagine that's where fear comes into play in the topic of immigration. Even if one can speak out against the regime, I’d imagine that immigrants put many things on the line if they choose to do so. This is an inherent flaw with American Democracy: even though everyone technically has a voice to speak up for themselves, many groups would face the consequences while others might not think twice about them.
ReplyDeleteFor Bianca: In the current administration, fear and hate are being promoted to advance divisive objectives. In order to embolden his predominantly white base, who have always been accustomed to privilege and power, Trump uses hateful rhetoric directed towards marginalized groups. In 1996, “La Valentina” saw the dangerous threat hate and fear posed toward equality for underrepresented groups. “La Valentina” attributes Republicans to the contstrainment of equality, which reflects the objectives of today's Republican administration. Her comments regarding “white America” being afraid of minorities fighting for their rights reflects today’s social climate. Today’s administration views equality for all as somehow threatening and diminishing the equality of those who already enjoy their full equality.
ReplyDeleteImmigration, from countries of color, has been criminalized. Trump has characterized asylum seeking, a lawful process, as being an act of criminality. His demonizing, hateful rhetoric such as labeling Mexican immigrants as rapists, criminals, and drug dealers further promotes this false correlation between immigration and criminality. Additionally, Trump’s racist characterization of Latino immigration as an invasion evokes the fear in his base that somehow these immigrants are coming to the United States to incite violence. Trump’s rhetoric emboldens his base to express hate and violence in their everyday lives, as seen in the devastating El Paso shooting.
“La Valentina’s” advice of taking action to uphold equality for all is very crucial to combating an “us vs. them” mentality. Also, “la Valentina” cites the possibility of civil rights accomplishments being taken away as a way to catalyze her audience to action. The founding story of Los Angeles is an example of the history of hateful rhetoric being used to demonize marginalized groups. For example, the Spanish colonizer’s racist characterization of Native Americans being inferior was used as an excuse for violently forcing them to be their free labor. Throughout the history of Los Angeles an “us vs. them” mentality can be seen with examples such as covenants prohibiting people of color from purchasing houses in white neighborhoods and the segregation of schools.