Erica Valtierra

English 394V South Western Literature Spring Semester 2017 New Mexico State University

[maptitude1]

Net country-to-country migration, 2010-2015

[evlobos7625]

Immigration outside of the devils highway

[design-dystopia]

[universalwritercc-blog]

“The old man nodded. “How old are you, son?” “Eleven.”

“Eleven?” the old man said. “N’hombre, by the time I was your age I had a job and my own money” (Casares Loc. 54). 

This shows the value that is placed on working hard from an early age till you die. I do love the “cultural principles” these stories brought to the forefront through the characters and the narrative. I have seen this very characteristic my whole life myself, I believe this trait lives on–at least we still see it in the older Spanish men and women here in the Southwest–truly remarkable and resilient people.  

[evlobos7625]

I actually work with a man that reminds me of this very character. He's a very hard worker and always gets on the younger workers cases for being "lazy" or "slow" 😂

[naomiiii29-blog]

sometimes the valley doesn’t suck

[nycnostalgia]

73rd Precinct, Brownsville, Brooklyn, early 80s

[evlobos7625]

I find it so interesting how so many different things pop up when you search for Brownsville!

[valeriasalinassalinas]

Charro Days fiesta, watching the children’s parade, Brownsville, Texas, 1942

[awellroundedman]

I think that writers are the shamans of the community. I think that everybody sins and you just process it and purify it for them.

Sandra Cisneros (via awellroundedman)

[santanico-pandemonium]

I’ll never marry. Not any man. I’ve known men too intimately. I’ve witnessed their infidelities, and I’ve helped them to it. Unzipped and unhooked and agreed to clandestine maneuvers. I’ve been accomplice, committed premeditated crimes. I’m guilty of having caused deliberate pain to other women. I’m vindictive and cruel, and I’m capable of anything.

Never marry a Mexican (via santanico-pandemonium)

I adore how she owns who she is and how she is, her pride. It leaves me in awe.

[moonbehindclouds]

Better not to marry than to live a lie

Never Marry a Mexican by Sandra Cisneros (via moonbehindclouds)

I don't know why but these words stand out to me so much because at the time marrying was the upmost important thing or goal to achieve for a woman.

[lifeinpoetry]

When you slept, you tugged me toward you. You sought me in the dark. I didn’t sleep. Every cell, every follicle, every nerve, alert.

Sandra Cisneros, from “Never Marry a Mexican,” Woman Hollering Creek (via lifeinpoetry)

[emilylmcguire-blog]

A young girl like me. Hadn’t I understood… responsibilities. Besides, he could never marry me. You didn’t think…? Never marry a Mexican.

‘Never Marry a Mexican’, Woman Hollering Creek. Sandra Cisneros. (via emilylmcguire)

Thank you for sharing this!!

(via salinamadrid)

[kemedilo]

Cisneros’ book is named for an actual creek in Texas. The creek is most likely named for La Llorona, a southwest icon who also made an appearance in So Far From God. 

La Llorona is one of my favorite myths/stories. In fact, the third chapter of my dissertation is all about her! 

[nmative-blog]

This is interesting to know! I think it would be better suited with its name in Spanish form. 

[reikosmyk-engl]

I feel like this is also one of my favorite things about this class. Most of the things we’ve read about so far all happened in real places that are still here! It is absolutely crazy to think about that!

[climbthestacks]

Everywhere I go, it’s me and me. Half of me living my life, the other half watching me live it.

Sandra Cisneros, Woman Hollering Creek (via climbthestacks)

[faroofash]

no woman wants to live alone.

I do.

[evlobos7625]

I do. Love this! Very excited to read more of Sandra Cisneros' work!

[crystalwrote]

If I am a witch, then so be it, I said. And I took to eating black things - huitlacoche the corn mushroom, coffee, dark chiles, the bruised part of fruit, the darkest, blackest things to make me hard and strong.

Sandra Cisneros, “Eyes of Zapata” (via wordsandthebees)

[annthomp]

México Moodboard

[evlobos7625]

The colors and aesthetic of these pictures me of the culture I envision in the book

[sea-sonal]

Our internalized racism causes us to boast of our light coloring, if indeed we have it, or imagine it. We hope for light-skinned children and brag no end of those infants who happen to be born gueros, white looking, we are downright ecstatic if they have light-colored eyes and hair. We sometimes tragically reject those children who are dark.

Ana Castillo, Massacre of the Dreamers (via mexica-mermaid)

Some more words by Ana Castillo