Week 13 - Maria, Full of Grace

Maria Full of Grace en espanol, María llena eres de gracia,(“Maria, you are full of grace”) is a Colombian-American film,which won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.

The movie seeks to represent rural life in Colombia, however it was actually filmed in Ecuador. The story is about Maria, (played by Catalina Moreno) who is a young Columbian girl who works under terrible working conditions as a rose thorn puller. With very little income, she is forced to contribute to her family to help support it while others in her family do not seem to contribute.


She is pregnant from a boyfriend she does not seem to care too much for. And it appears that he is the lazy type of person who does as little as possible, just hanging out and hoping for some serendipitous event to come along and make his life easy.

On the other hand, Maria is hard working, stubborn and down to earth person is pretty much direct and forthright with her communications with other people. While it does not serve her in many day to day situations, to me it is an admirable personality trait which in the long term will serve her well. After telling her boyfriend that she is pregnant, he offers to marry her and she declines - which, in my opinion was the right thing to do. From the outset, you can see she has character and backbone which is something not seen in her sister and probably the rest of her extended family. Disgusted with how she is treated, with her life as it is and the direction it is taking, she quits her job and meets a “bad boy” motorcycle young man who introduces her to drug muling (smuggling). Drug muling, whether it is in or out of your body is, to me, something I couldn’t imagine myself doing even if I was desperate. If someone approached me I would probably walk away. In the movie, the details of the operation where drugs are encapsulated and swallowed are portrayed in detail. While you hear about this sort of thing, and realize it goes on, most of us do not realize how well it is refined and quantified into a real business. To me, it is not surprising to see a Caucasian American running the drug operation, exploiting and taking advantage of people who are easy prey because of their low social status. I thought how I would punish someone who smuggled drugs like that. For a first offense, I would require the mule to give up all of their contacts and I would educate them as much as possible. I would look for the underlying cause and try to remedy that situation or at the very least, give them the tools they need to get themselves out of the situation that caused them to be desperate enough to transport drugs. For a multiple offender I would have to sentence them to prison time or deport them and ban them from entering the country. Life in Columbia is not easy. Corruption seems to be present in all of the social layers.

In popular culture Columbia is portrayed poorly, especially in film and fiction. It has been postulated by Colombian organizations and the Colombian government to be mostly negative and has raised concerns that it reinforces, or even induces, societal prejudice and discrimination due to association with narcotics trafficking, terrorism, illegal immigration and other criminal elements,not to mention poverty and welfare. Most Colombian people consider these stereotypes an inaccurate and unfair representation of their people. I thought the ending of the movie was great in that it could show anyone at any age that they have a choice to make in life. This situation is universal in that it could apply to any person in any culture who is up against the wall to survive. The character of Maria has the drive, ambition and fortitude to live her life true to herself and has a high internal locus of control. Although it will most certainly be difficult in the short term, in the long run she will level up from her families seemingly perpetuating social status and do something positive with her life. Unfortunately, her sister will return to the life that she is comfortable with and (seemingly) be stuck in a situation that guarantees a boring and unfulfilled life and lifestyle.

Comments
Personally, the film hits home for me. I’m the oldest of five children, born in New York City, grew up in a poor family sharing a bedroom with 4 other siblings in the North Bronx. I broke away from my family, determined not to live in their lifestyle and make something more of myself.

Like Maria, I was force to work at an early age and told I was good not much else. I was force to pay “rent” while my younger siblings paid nothing. Having said that, I believe that many older ethnic traditions are worthwhile and should be preserved - while many others are rooted in religious guilt, outdated social models and grounded in beliefs that have been disproved or just do not work well.

Oppressed young people, like myself tend to be rebellious... Being rebellious has its ups and downs for sure.

If people were treated equally and not oppressed, life would be better for us all. One day, Friere's concepts will gain a stronger hold in out education system and people will make better choices.

Since I am also learning Spanish also at this time, I think the the movie was an excellent way to experience how conversations are made in a real life family environment I learned a lot about the Columbian culture and was again reminded how much we Americans take for granted. Sources (in addition to the Movie itself)

RODRIGUEZ, P. Estereotipos denacionalidad en estudiantes colombianos y venezolanos. Boletín de la VEPSO,Vol. XV, Nos. 1-3,65-74,1992

WETHERELL, M. «Cross-culturalstudies ofminimal groups: implicationsfor the social identity theory of inter-group relations», 1982.En:

TAJFEL,H.Social identity and intergroup relations.Cambridge University Press, 1982

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=2210492820&topic=9840

http://www.tiempoviajes.com/noticias/val/354/con-el-corazon-colombia-cambia-su-imagen.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/feb/02/comment.colombia


Student Comments

Kim said " I believe much of the art at this museum displays struggles with oppression and the art is the way to release those feelings. "

Paul commented that he saw Paulo Freire's theme's having slight influence in the artwork from the museum

Logan noted after revisiting the Museum of Latin American Art he feels he has a better appreciation for the museum and artists of Latin America than i did in week five.

Sara noted that to look at these artworks with a new perspective, I would maybe research more about how the time period influenced the artists work.

Theresa was drawn to this time was the oil painting by Arnold Belkin titled "Exodus".

Kelsy said last time I chose Sergio Velasquez's artwork, Vendedora de ayote, but I decided to look for a new piece where it portrays the movies we watched along with Friere's ideas.

Susan noted that with all the information and movies I watched I learned a lot and see how the history of a culture, beliefs, and customers reflect in the artwork.

Beatriz commented that on this second trip I was able to see how culture, struggle and a countries way of life was displayed and represented through art, sculptures and the various shows put on at this specific location.

Maria specifically looked for meaning in the art like what did the faces colrs and shapes mean...

Robert observed The difference now is that after all of the reading and studying I have completed for this class, my taste in Latin American arts is much more specific

Week 14 - Back to MOLAA

A visit back to the MOLAA
In the recent tour of MOLAA assignment I wrote about the art of Carlos Luna. I had previously wrote mostly about Luna's style of art and of the materials and techniques that he used.

Looking back and seeing the art again,I can see his view of culture expressed through the different art work that he has created.

Through Carlos Luna's art he tells of his life's story, merges themes of fables, mysticism, eroticism, prejudice, and cultural anthropology, all of which are organized and portrayed through the various art he creates.

His sculpture named, "War-Giro" represents struggle as a visual representation of duality, which is a common theme in Cuban art. The sculpture is a two-sided figure standing over 7 feet tall with outstretched arms extending to the horizons. On the back side of the sculpture, the figure appears as a skeleton of itself in reference to the Mexican belief in death as a cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The front side of the sculpture is a male figure wearing a Cuban Flag, obviously reconciled with his Cuban identity. Upon his head, is a sombrero adorned with a rooster to symbolize male strength and masculinity (of course...)

Looking at Latin art now, I look at this art with my eyes a bit more opened up now seeing through the art the history of revolution, corruption and the rich traditions intermixed with politics that makes this art unique.

Carlos Luna's art work present his culture in the vein of love, hate, freedom, repression, growth and decay in extremely colorful, often in very large compositions with a dynamic range of materials and styles. His work is very symbolic, but at the same time it seems grounded in the real world and his experiences in Cuba. . The culture of Latin art within itself is the visual story a region which is filled with the voices of sculptors, artists, and musicians. They all speak with conviction, enthusiasm and boldness. They create art that changes the fabric of their countries.


Student's Work Reviews
Beatriz said she (Mother Elena) had once been oppressed and later on become the oppressor. She greatly oppressed Tita and did not allow her to be with the man that she loved.

Robert commented that the symbolism presented through so much of this movie supports this theme of oppression and demonstrates the various manifestations of living under another’s control, finding methods to cope with this, and the unhappiness that occurs when you do not get to escape its ugly reach.

Shannon wrote "Were Tita's mother to believe in Freire's ideas as opposed to the banking approach to education she would have opened her eyes and heart to the beauty that was the love her daughter found herself taken by."

Susan said that Tita uses the expression “estoy como agua para chocolate” (I am like water for chocolate) meaning that she is boiling mad.

Theresa said this this story illustrated the power of oppresion and the crippling effects it has on the individuals being oppressed.

Kim noted that this film reminded her of the storyline for “Camila”. Love between two people that is oppressed - in this story by family tradition and social norms. Only 1 daughter, Rosaura is following the path that her Mother has put in place for her.

Kathy wrote that as in the previous films, Freire's thoughts regarding status, tradition, oppression and politics are demonstrated. The general idea that one must do what is expected of them instead of what their heart is telling them.

Millissa said that this story transcends boarders as well because in any culture there are traditions. Unfortunately some people are so head strong about keeping those traditions that they can't see that it could actually be hurting someone instead of making them happy.

Sara said Even with all the borders Tita broke through, I still view Gertrudis as more of the rebel of the family. From the very beggining she did not share her mother's points of view, as she would smirk to herself when things didn't go her mother's way.

Stacy worte that there is an inspiration and tenacity, usually born of pain that also provides the relief from that pain. For Tita she had cooking and her love for Pedro. Even with that, her strongest drive was to break the cycle of oppression for her neice.

Week 13 - Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate
The first thing I want to say is, that out of the three class movies assigned , this one was my favorite. The title of the movie offers a very fitting and multifaceted metaphor for the story. In Spanish, "como aqua para chocolate", is a saying that refers to passions, be it sexual or anger, that boil over. The story takes place in the era of the Mexican Revolution and the settings depicted in the movie seem accurate. I thought the photography and music score was excellent. The manner that this movie was done reminded me of the movie "The man from Snowy River" Liberal use of the artistic genre of "magical realism" is used in this story, originally published as a novel in 1989 by first-time Mexican novelist Laura Esquive. Magical Realism is defined as magical elements or illogical scenarios that appear in an otherwise realistic or even normal-like appearing settings. I mention this because the term Magical realism was first applied to the literature of Latin America.

It seems that it would be difficult for most viewers not to get caught up in the roller coaster of events that is portrayed in this dramatic and emotional story of a 15 year old girl named Tita, the youngest of three sisters, who is continually tormented and verbally abused by an overbearing dictator-like mother who chooses to carry on the traditional belief that the youngest daughter must not marry but take care of her mother until the day she dies. Because of this forced tradition Tito can never marry or be with the love of her life Pedro Muzquiz who is her chosen soul mate. The story surrounds the forbidden love between Pedro and Tita that begins the tale of true love, family traditions and family secrets.

Because she is oppressed, Tita's love and emotions are transferred into love for her cooking and the cooking allows her to express the concealed feelings she has for him. Just as strong as her passion is for food, Tita's and Pedro's enthusiasm for each other surpasses all boundaries of time and the archaic familial obligations. In my Italian family love was clearly shown through cooking and food. The personality of Tita, is brought vividly to life in the movie and I can identify with her in full having grown up in a somewhat similar family.

Some of other characters are much more patchily depicted, especially Tita's love, Pedro, who remains a puzzle. In as much as Pedro is uncontrollably drawn to Tita by his sexual desires, there doesn't seem like there is any other basis for their relationship. Nevertheless, you wind up captured in the story and most of the the characters. You laugh at the comedic moments and smile when good things happen, and then are sad when unfortunate events tear at their lives and hearts. As the story continues, In order to be closer to Tita, Pedro winds up marrying her older sister Rosaura who although not a very formidable sister, gets caught up in her mother's scheme to marry Tita's love, Pedro. Of course, this further makes her life more miserable. Mama Elena and Rosaura's characters serve to represent the impediment in Tita's life.

The story contains the elements of forbidden romance laced with the deception and lies of a soap opera. To me, the final scene of the movie represents the most magical and romantic moment in the movie. At last, Tita and Pedro are finally together. At the height of their lovemaking, Pedro dies. Upon realization of his death,Tita begins consume matches one by one. As she chews them, she lies next to Pedro's dead body and thinks of all the memories she had with him, which causes the spark that sets them and the ranch in flames. As their bodies burn in the flames, Tita and Pedro's soul join and live on forever. This romantic ending interweaved with magical realism finalizes the love tale.

Friere spoke and wrote of the effects of oppression. The power of oppression and how it affects the lives of people when people are silenced and traditions blindly followed are told and visually demonstrated throughout this movie. It is also portrayed how the destructive behavior is passed down throughout the generations. In the culture of the extended latino family (and other cultures) everyone lives under the same roof in order to survive. The archaic ethnic "traditions" are supported by the older generations on the household. Friere was sent to prison for teaching reading. Tita, like Paulo Freire, was a threat to the established order of her family as Fiere was to his country Brazil. Tita might as well have been imprisoned as she was held captive by a parent perpetuating her own distress.

This story also illustrates how oppression kills your spirit as demonstrated with Tita’s breakdown and depression. This story is humanly universal and transcends all borders. You can easily imagine this type of oppression taking place in many different country's ethnic cultures including ours.


Comments on Last Weeks Posts

Michelle commented that Freire’s ideas especially about government and religion are huge in the film Camila.

Logan said that it was clear tha both Camila and Father Gutierrez were oppressed by the laws of a dictator.

Susan noted that people who had authority used violence to run their country because it made them feel that they were in charge and no one would dare to question their action or words.

Theresa said that the story of Camila exemplifies the struggles of oppression in the Argentine society as a result of Rosas' dictatorship and the affect of his rule over personal and political freedom.

Brandon commented that Its a story about the struggle for freedom and the evil power suppressing it, in this case a government.

Maria noted that From the very beginning of the film they show how knowledge can make a person stronger.

Melissa said no one can control whom they fall in love with.

Nancy commented that this (story) is an inspiration to every culture to live from the heart and be true to our convictions.

Stacy said that struggles for identity and connection and freedom from oppression, requires listening to your own voice... even when speaking it can mean death.

Kim said The couple can not manage to fight back against the strong religious culture that they live within. Even when they live else where, it still follows them. The upper classes have a total disregard for the two “sinners”

Week 12 "Camila", The Movie

Camila O' Gorman - The Movie (1984)
Camila O' Gorman is a film based upon the true life story of Camila O’Gorman who was the daughter of an aristocratic, upper class family of Irish extraction. In her late teens she met and fell in love with the young family priest, Father Ladislao and in 1847 eloped with him, in a fairy tale type of love story that resulted in a government warrant and subsequent search which resulted in their capture to “satisfy religion and the law and to prevent further cases of immorality and disorder.”

The first version of this tragic love story was in a film produced in 1910 - a black and white silent movie titled "Camila O'Gorman", directed by Mario Gallo and starring Blanca Podestá in the title role. It was one of the first films of this type made in Argentina, and is lost. A new version was produced in 1984. This one is titled "Camila", and is directed by María Luisa Bemberg and stars Susú Pecoraro in the title role. It was Argentina's second nomination ever to an Academy Award. Teling the dstory in a new movie had been banned and was government censored for many years until 1982, when democracy brought out many of Argentina's most embarrassing and darkest historical moments.

In addition to an entertaining and sometimes comical love story, watching this movie gives you a bird's eye view of the then existing Argentinean culture's views concerning gender and social class. It clearly demonstrates the misuse of power in that time (which still carries on today in many places around the world). In the movie, you can also see the state and church's powers in collusion. Because of the then existing politics and societal morals which were influenced and ruled by the church, they both fled to hide in a small province, where they had hoped to happily ever after under assumed names. Unfortunately, their dream comes to an end when they are discovered and brought back to Buenos Aires to be sentenced to death. A futile battle begins to try and save them, especially Camila who is found to be pregnant.

Camia O’Gorman was the first woman executed in independent Argentina, and she was eight months pregnant - in spite of the existing law, which did not allow the execution of a pregnant woman. Interestingly, in a self serving righteous gesture the church baptizes Camila O’Gorman’s unborn child was by making her drink holy water.

Brazilian educator Paulo Freire became closely associated with teaching for social justice after the publication of Pedagogy of the Oppressed in 1971. Freire believed that teaching is a political act that is never neutral. In the course of his books, Freire put forward a view that educators should focus on creating equity and changing systems of oppression within public schools and society. Recently teaching for social justice has been built on ethnographic research of the complicated work of educators who could pioneer a culturally-relevant, critical classroom theory of teaching for social justice.

This story transcends borders as it could happen in any country with strong cultural views on a religious custom, cultural style or belief.


Classmate Review's from last week

1. Beatriz observed that in that time educated people were able to write and communicate with each other through words and letters and the poor could not.

2. Nancy noted an example of the male domination of women, and, to a degree, an elder oppressing a younger person.

3. Sara wrote examples of how the social classes oppressed some and gave others power.

4. Stacy talked about the repeated theme in this class of early impressions in life driving lifelong endeavors and cited the "Love in the time of Cholera" movie is another example.

5. Robert wrote the story dosn't seem to develop the characters fully as it could have, therefore not really supporting the passion that drove Florentino's love for the 50 years.

6. Melissa wrote "Love is love, every society and socioeconomical class has it and everyone gets it and gives it at some point in their life and if you're lucky enough you can share it."

7. Theresa thought that there were many other illustrations of social and gender oppresion throughout the movie.

8. Kathy said "Social hierarchy exists across all borders. Love also exists across all borders and turned out to be stronger than social standing."

9. Brandon wrote that Freire believed that it is very important for everyone to be able to read and write and literacy was a big theme of this story.

10. Jamison thought that Freire's idea of the oppressors and the oppressed was shown in the depiction of Columbian society at the time of the story.

Week 11 - The movie - Love in the time of Cholera

The story, Love in the time of Cholera, is a story of tenacious love packed full of metaphors that tell of a young man’s (Florentino Ariza) lifelong passion for a beautiful woman (Fermina) who he fell in love with at first sight. Unfortunately, his first love marries another man because of his of higher status and family pressures.

I watched the movie version of Love In The Time Of Cholera which is the movie is adapted from the novel of the same title.

The story begins when Fermina's husband, in his seventies, falls off a ladder and dies. Meanwhile, Florentino, now an old man himself, is in bed with a young woman when he hears the bells of death and realizes that is it none other than Fermina's husband for whom he has been waiting for to die for many years. He abandon's his current bed mate and goes directly to Fermina's house after her husbands funeral. He tells her that he still loves her and has been waiting years for this opportunity to gain her hand. Of course, she promptly throws him out and tells him not to come back.

Now the viewer or reader has to find out the story behind all this love and drama. We are taken back in time to hear the story from the beginning. A story of a failed romance between Florentino Ariza and Fermina. It is told of how he meets her as a young man, working as a telegraph messenger, and how one day he is dispatched to deliver a telegram to a new household in town. The head of this new household is an ambitious, rough domoneering man named Lorenzo who resides his young daughter, Fermina. It was love at first sight for Florentino. They catch each others eye and secretly begin exchanging letters, falling in love through their correspondence. Florentino eventually asks Fermina to marry him, and she says yes. Inevitably, her father finds the letters they have been writing and forbids the two to have any further contact. He decides to take Fermina away to their relatives village to keep her from Florentino. Of course, Florentino is too low in status to meet Lorenzo's high standards and Lorenzo tells Florentino to stay away forever. Lorenzo then continues his plan for Fermina to become a member of the upper class by marrying her off to a more suitable man. In spite of the forced separation, Florintino and Fermina continue to communicate. The years pass, and Florentino is now a bit older, but he still obsessively waits for Fermina's return. When Fermina finally does return, Florentino follows her to the market and reveals himself. However, Fermina who is also now several years older also, has second thoughts about Florentino, deciding to tell him that she is no longer in love with him. Florentino is distraught and heartbroken. Bad news for everyone. One day, Fermina becomes sick, and her father fears it is the prevalent disease of cholera. He sends for a doctor, Juvenal Urbino, to examine her. Juvenal examines her and says that she doesn't have cholera and will get better soon. During that visit, Fermina has caught the doctor's eye and he asks he fathers permission to pursue her. Of course the doctor meets the father's standards and he gives him his blessings. Fermina is initially cold to him and but is eventually coerced and in time consents to marry the doctor. Meanwhile, Florentino's life is a mess and his clingy mother has prevailed on Florentino's uncle to send him away with a job so he will get on with his life and hopefully forget his true love. As Florentino travels by river boat to his new job, he is ambushed by a young woman who effectively rapes him, forcing him to (finally) break his self imposed vows of virginity and faithfulness to Fermina. He is astonished by the sex, is soon overcome with guilt and returns back home. Meanwhile, Fermina has married Juvenal and has gone on a long honeymoon to Paris. Florentino finds out and he is distraught again. By chance, young woman seeks shelter at Florentino's home. Florentino winds up in bed with her, and begins to realize that sleeping with random women he doesn't care for fills some of the emotional void that his love for Fermina has created. Fermina eventually returns, and although Florentino sees her from time to time, there is no chance of winning her. He decides to raise his status by going to work for his uncle. As he works and grows older, he still write love letters for illiterate lovers and inappropriately for business correspondence. while at work. By this time Florentino has slept with hundreds of women, none of which he seems to care about. In one of his conquests, he seduces a young married woman. He begins to fall for her, and of course her husband finds out and murders her. Looking for love in all the wrong places, Florentino sets himself up for a broken heart but none the less continues his evergoing female sexual conquests. Pobre hombre Florentino...

Fermina's relationship with Juvenal is not doing well either. It is boring and lacks passion. Dr. Juvenal has an affair, and of course this causes problems with their relationship. Fermina leaves to visit her rural relatives again. Florentino becomes president of the river boat company after his uncle retires. Fast forward to the present day in the movie and after Juvenal dies in the accident (as shown in the beginning of the film ) and Florentino is thrown out, Florentino continues to write to her. Eventually her attitude towards Florentino shifts and they begin to see each other a bit. They journey and finally have a relationship at over 50 years from when they first met.

This story transcends borders mostly because of it's universal message and paradigms. Florentino and Juvenal represent men of different status who are opposite in many ways. This sets up the conflict. The conflict defines that Florentino's life is is about the relentless pursuit of lost love and Juvenal's life is about stability and doing everything the "right"or properly accepted way. This is what makes the story interesting and spices it up with real world meaning. Dr. Juvenal represents the pillar of society who has the right job, the right position in society, but is passionless and filled with the monotony of conforming while Florentino is a low status, holds on to his emotions and who beds as many women as possible to fill his empty, meaningless life. At the end, as Juvenal lays dying, he says to Fermina, "Only God knows how much I loved you". This statement is interesting because Fermina indeed has no idea how much he loved her, yet he gave her fifty years of stable marriage. Florentino slept with hundreds of women he cared little for yet always loved Fermina intensely. The story exposes the life choices we all have to make with our lives, and which never are clearly black or white.

The class struggle is what Paulo Freire strove to eliminate through education. This, of course is admirable - and equal education for everyone certainly would level things then and now. However it seems, as long as we have a complex government structure with many people, there will always be be some sort social stratification. Striving for social status seems to be a central theme of the story and it appears that if both men were of equal status in their younger years, would be no story because Florentino would have been approved by Fermina's father and they would have lived happily every after - maybe.

Comments about the movie
The critics say it is a drama, but to me, it lies somewhere between a drama, comedy and an art film. In other words, it seems to have no identity. I still enjoyed the story and the funny parts of the movie for sure - but the part that Florentino plays reeks of an immature boy who is attached at the hip to his mother and refuses to grow up. While It is an entertaining story, it is not believable to me that someone would hang around for 50 years in the name of love. The music and the location shooting in Columbia was great and I saw some beautiful scenery.

Cholera as the underlying theme is interesting, but could have been developed more effectively in my opinion. It would be also interesting to have integrated the underlying poverty and suffering experienced by the peasants who and seeing more of how it affected everyone in this love drama. I personally feel it is futile and a waste of your life's time to wait 50 years for anyone.

I liked the acting but Ferinma's cousin who is played by Catalina Sandino Moreno (who starred in Maria, full of Grace) has a great character's personality would have made a better lead actress. She is charming, fun and attractive. Personally, I might wait a (few) years for her... if I were Florentino.

One other thought- the use of English with the Spanish accent doesn't cut it for me. It should have been in Spanish with English subtitles. Other than the funny lines and scenes there certainly was some excellent and thoughtful writing in the movie.

At the end, in a letter to Fermina, Florentino writes:

“Age has no reality except in the physical world. The essence of a human being is resistant to the passage of time. Our inner lives are eternal, which is to say that our spirits remain as youthful and vigorous as when we were in full bloom. Think of love as a state of grace, not the means to anything, but the alpha and omega. An end in itself.”

The separation between physical age and the essence of your being is interesting to me in that while your physical being may get old and deteriorate your spirit can remain constant. It is only when you let your physical age control your spirit that you begin to wither away.

From last week
Candace researched Contemporary or post modern music because she loves music and enjoys learning the types of effects music can have a time, or a people.

Susan wrote about Rigoberta Menchu who is an indigenous Guatemalan, from the K'iche' Maya ethnic group. She dedicated and put her life into publicizing the plight of Guatemala's indigenous peoples during and after the Guatemalan Civil War.

Kim wrote about deaf sign languages which are the natural languages developed by Deaf people and used in everyday life. She said that in many countries, the Deaf sign languages are barred in schools for the deaf and are used mainly outside the classroom and within the Deaf community.

Kathy wrote about Félix Rubéen García Sarmiento also known as 'Rubén Darío'. He was a Nicaraguan poet who initiated the Spanish-American literary movement known as Modernismo (modernism), flourishing at the end of the 19th century.

Melissa wrote about Carlos Fuentes who is a Mexican novelist, playwright, essayist and journalist. His most famous international breakthrough came in 1962 with the novel La Muerte de Artemio Cruz or The Death of Artemio Cruz. The Death of Artemio Cruz was very different from any prior work because it was written in first, second, and third person narration.

Michelle discussed Luisa Valenzuela’s writings which push the boundaries, question the elite social structures, and does it with a feminist perspective. She said that her style is distinguished by a decidedly feminist slant in contrast with the male dominated world of literature.

Sara chose to research the Bracero Program because she found it interesting and wanted to learn more about if it and if it could be used more efficiently in today's society.

Shannon, like myself, also wrote about the life of Caser Chavez. One thing found she interesting is the legacy of Chavez. His birthday March 31 is formally observed in 8 states.
I missed that one...

Stacy, in writing about the UFW, feels that labor unions are one of the strongest and necessary forces for the working people, fighting for their rights and protecting against exploitation.

Theresa wrote about Rigoberta Menchu, an activist, whose achievement was pursuing peace and justice for indigenous and poor people that she to once suffered growing up.