"Jesus had calloused hands"
Today in p4p (Poetry for the People)Marcos and Kate did their presentations.
Marcos talked about Xicana Feminism and Kate about Liberation Theology.
They were both really good, considering they had to do them in 40 minutes.
Highligth
Liberations theology is about resistance and, well, liberation from all forms of
oppression. I learned today that there are many forms of liberation theology, but
that Latin America has some disinguishing elements, such as advocating for
land reform and the respect for syncretism (mix from Catholic religion and indigenous
spirituality and the creation of new ways of believing).Jesus was also killed by the
government, the Roman empire to be precise.
Liberation theology is rooted in the struggle of the people and it has a very
communal/collective/democratic presence. The kingdom of god is seen as both
something to come as well as present. Meaning, you don't have to take all the violence
and poverty cuz your are going to enjoy heaven when you die. No. God is all around
us and cares for the well being of people right now, not tomorrow. And like Jesus
you must fight for liberation even against strong powerful enemies. People might
have saw it as, I don't want my children and all the generations to come to
live like me, and my body is my own, you cannot keep me as a slave.
Some cool poets that talk about this issues are: Julia Esquivel, Ernesto Cardenal,
Martin Espada, and Jiaconda Belli (i'm not sure about the spelling of this last one).
So, you should check out this poets cuz they rock. Poetry is the bread and water
of the soul.
Xeri Moraga is comming to class next week!!! Marcos talked a little about her work
and how xicanas claimed their independence/value in the xicano movimiento. He
mention I am Joaquin and the Plan Espiritual De Aztlan and how it excluded
women, or render them to the role of submissive mothers, wives. La neta que si.
What I like about Xeri, who I had the honor to have a class with, is that
she defends the value of culturan nationalism. Her, as a lesbian mix-blood (her father
was white) stands up to nationalistic machista Chicanos in an articulate powerful way.
Check out her "Loving in the war years," for more Xicana Feminist praxis.
Finally, I GOT INTO UCB ETHNIC STUDIES PHD PROGRAM!!! PLUS A 15 THOUSAND DOLLAR
FELLOWSHIP FOR FOUR YEARS!!! YOU KNOW I'M GOING!! I still feel there's a lot I
need to learn. For example, how to do documentaries and take some Xicana teatro
classes. I know that the program is big on theory, but i think i can balance the
creative and the theory parts. Also, i see the value of theory in the prosses
of liberation. Liberation theology and Xicana Feminism is what allowed the dispossessed
to be more effective in their struggle. Theory allows for new ways of thinking,
being, seeing the world and deconstructing power in order to empower oneself.
Anyways, I'm pretty happy.
paz en iraq
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