After reading Gurba’s work I gained a better insight into the generalization of Mexican stereotypes in writing and understood them through the eyes of someone of Mexican decent. What I enjoyed about Gurba’s writing the most was that in some ways it broke the stereotypes that even I myself had a belief in due to how both writing and media were portrayed as such. Gurba uses her heritage to give a clear and informative goal, that many of the stories that are being written are just cheesy ass stereotypes and the more I look at it from her perspective I start to see that. I really like how she gave the example of an American tourist mentality which in all honesty is a very accurate description of people such as myself that really only knew stuff about Mexico solely based on what I’ve seen in books and on Television. Although her writing piece was very informative, I personally believe that if she had changed the intensity of her writing in this case it would have been a bit more captivating. While she may not intend it, I sensed a sort of intensity towards white people, and while I don’t consider it any sort of racist intention. I did have a sort of feeling that it was mainly targeted toward spiting me in some way. The main question I had for Gurba would be how did it feel to see this writing portraying someone who was from Mexico acting as if they were some American tourist? Did something so absurd make you feel angry?
About
Professor: Jessica Penner
Email: creative.writing.citytech2@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. I’ll be available through Zoom and will send an invitation via email that you should keep all semester. Try to join my meeting at the start of the hour, not at the end—since I may be talking to other students or have another appointment after the hour is up. If those times don’t work with your schedule, we can schedule a different time. This means you’ll have to schedule an appointment in advance. I suggest you have multiple times in mind, since your schedule may not mesh with mine!
I agree!, its really hard to know someone else’s situation unless you’ve been through certain similar experiences or lived in the same country. I noticed that you somewhat got inspired by the language Gurba used to state her opinion when you state, “Cheesy Ass”, I think its interesting how a piece and liberate us and somewhat have an impact in us.
I agree with what you are saying, the media only intensifies these stereotypes. This is a negative connotation which reinforces these backwards beliefs of inequality based on country of origin.
I agree that Gurba’s helps to educate people on the subject and how she is very informative.