Chicano Identity

Reading this week's works was enjoyable while also bringing to ideas of identity: cultural, ethnic, sexuality. These readings while varied and interesting, also connected to one reading from the past. Chapter one of Gloria Anzaldua's Borderlands explores the ideas of Chicano identity by referencing their indigenous ancestors and their forgotten history. She also writes in both Spanish and English to create a connection between the readers and their heritage, something that they may have regressed for whatever reason.

Anzaldua's writing directly correlates to the main characters in each of this week's reading; The Zoot Suit wearing youth, the inhabitants of a fictional Phoenix, the young Chicanos of the US. Their entity is an inherent part of the narratives and it is their identity that is cause of their problems with the external world.

Anzaldua's writing from week one makes a point to mention that the former boundaries of

Mexico included that areas that have high number of Mexican ancestry now. With this idea in

tact, Zoot suiters of LA became targets, Medea's well being was jeopardized and Anzaldua

herself was threatened with losing her mother culture.

Referring specifically to Zoot Suits, do you think this writing is in any way related to the

border or is it simply an examination of Chicano identity and not ones relationship to Mexico?