Assimilating in a Dominant Ideological Society
In Hunger of Memory, Richard Rodriguez demonstrates how dichotomies such as whiteness/blackness, private life/public life, distinction of classes, as well as religion, family intimacies, and education have shaped him into the participating individual he has become in the dominant culture. His personal history in a Mexican home speaking his native language displays the loss he endured in order to gain academic success and public identity. His search for identity is empowered through his spiritual, intimate family relationships, and education. Through education, it became inevitable to assimilate into the public dominant culture he was in, simultaneously, losing the bond of his childhood private heritage. His life experiences and self-determination assisted him to strive for academic success. “Education altered my life.” “I remember what was so grievously lost to define what was necessarily gained.” Through his education he gains public acceptance, but at the same time mourns for the traditions and language of his heritage.
Religion – Catholicism - Christianity
-Is religion a dominant ideology in this text? If so how?
-How is the concept of faith embodied in or absent from this text?
-Does the text present alternative forms of religion, spirituality?
-Does the text present any material consequences for those who may not subscribe to Christian ideology?
Whiteness
-Is whiteness a dominant ideology in this text? If so, how?
-How does the text resist or reinscribe the dominant ideology of whiteness?
-How do issues of ethnicity/nationality complicate notions of whiteness or “otherness” in the text?
-Does the text present any material consequences for those who are not “white” in the text?
-How does social class work in this text? What role does social class play in the lives of the characters in this text?
Education
-To what extent does academic experience shape individuals?
-How do you feel about bilingual education? (Students learning content in native language.) Does it enforce oppression?
-How do you feel about combining private life (religion, native language) with public life (education, community)?
-How can individuals assimilate in a dominant culture without losing their native heritage? Is it inevitable to conform to a dominant society?
posted by Celeste Stabile @ 12:51 PM
7 Comments:
I'm not sure I felt Richard "mourned" for the traditions and language of his heritage. Though as a child he initially felt a loss when his family no longer spoke what he considered their "private" language of Spanish at home, I think over time, as he became confident with English and in school, the major loss he felt was the distancing from his parents--and that seemed a result of his education more than language. He sensed that he surpassed his parents (intellectually), and that is disconcerting for any child.
A recurring theme in this book was guilt. Guilt over class differences even more than racial differences, guilt over benefitting from programs, such as affirmative action, which he felt he shouldn't have. I agree with him that when the changes that came about as a result of affirmative action started and ended at the university level, it wasn't enough. Improving the quality of eduation in grammar and high schools in disadvantaged areas is the only way students could ever be prepared to enter university, extra "boost" or not. But for him to then conclude that affirmative action shouldn't exist just didn't sit right with me. Yes, the problem runs deeper than the affirmative action programs--as they were created, addressing only the university--could fix, but to dismantle them completely gives the erroneous impression that they're not needed at all. We're still not at a point where there is any kind of equal education in this country. Richard is right: he was fortunate to get the high quality grammar/high school education he received. And maybe living in the neighborhood he did, going to the schools he did, he is right to feel that he should not be have been labeled a minority student (when "minority" necessarily means disadvantaged), and to benefit from it.
Anyway, I could go on, but this is getting long. I really enjoyed this book. Nicely written and very thought provoking.
I think that education is a big part of everyone's life. I also agree with Rodriguez that education shapes who we are. School is not only about learning academic subjects but it is also about learning socialization, culture, and so much more. I also think that it may be especially hard for a younger person to keep their cultural or traditional identity in a world or society that tends to conform; But I do think that it is possible. I have seen many of my students hold their own and keep their cultural identity well known, without falling into stereotypes.
In regards to teaching classes bilingually or learning in a bilingual classes. I used to run a club for bilingual students who wanted to learn more about their own language. The advantage for them was that while I was teaching them about their native language I was doing it in English. They were able to understand in English and still learn about their native language. In addition to that the district I was working in had a "dual language" program where students from K-5 learned all their subject area bilingually. I think that this program was a good idea but had many faults - for the native English speakers. The native Spanish speakers did very well to learn in both languages. This is based on my observation of teaching a year of these students.
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**Sorry for all the deletions, I am still trying to get the hang of this blog thing**
Learning is an ongoing process that is a result of our exposure to various aspects of daily and academic life. Language, both academic and social, does play an extremely vital role in shaping who we are and how we are regarded in society. Rodriguez does a great job of exploring this throughout his novel.
One place in particular is when he discusses the Mexican workers. Rodriguez exlores how their lack of the language influences their wages, right or ability to unionize, their dependance upon "...the relative good will or fairness of their employers each day"(149) and most importantly their voice. Without a strong command of the language of those in charge, people can be at the mercy of those they serve. And sometimes cultural identity is not as important as understanding your basic human rights.
I strongly oppose bilingual education. I was a product of one when I fist came to this country from Europe, not knowing any English what so ever. For an entire year in seventh grade, I had to learn science and English in Polish. This process extremely slowed down my ability to practice speaking English and that made me feel inferior of the public world. I was ashamed to speak my mind, since I could not form grammatically correct sentences. In addition, I was slowly becoming closed-in within the Polish community since that was the only environment where I could be myself. My mother had realized that, and trasfered me into a school without such a program. It only took me three months so speak English comfortably, allowing the American students and teachers to really get to know the real me, and not the inferior me. Students absolutely do not need to learn in their own language and I don't see how that's even a form of assimilation. If students do not master the language of the coutnry they live in, they will always feel like second-rate. Bilingual education slows down the process of mastering the home language and therefore prevents the students from communicationg with the world about their feelings and needs.
I also feel the nuns made a mistake by telling Richard's parents to start speaking English at home. Richard would have eventually mastered the English language anyway, without losing the home intimacy between him and his family. It had obviously changed his home environemnt in a negative way. I could very much relate to the unique relationship that a native language establishes in a household. I have lived here for 13 years, but cannot remember a single time when I spoke to my mother or brother in English. I think I migh have in front of Englihs only speaking friend, but I remember it felt awkward. It just feels foreign and almost fake. It's a certain kind of feeling that's rather difficult to describe. In the end, I do appreciate and prefer to remain Anna to the public while I'm Ania to my mother and Anka to my brother.
I FEEL A STUDENT'S EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT IN LIFE. IT TEACHES THEM ACADEMICALLY AS WELL AS SOCIALLY HOW TO LIVE. I FEEL IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LEARN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE. I MOVED TO GREECE IN 1995 AND NEED TO LEARN EVERYTHING I LEARNED IN ENGLISH LIKE PHYSICS AND MATH IN THE GREEK. THE TRANSITION WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL ON ME. I UNFORTUNALEY GAVE UP AND MOVED BACK TO THE US. I FEEL TEACHERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE STANDING OF STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HOLDING ON THE THEIR ROOTS. I FOUND MYSELF FEELING LIKE AN OUTSIDER WHEN I LIVED IN GREECE AND IT DID EFFECT WHO I WAS THERE AND WHO I AM NOW AS BECOMING A TEACHER.
AS CHERYL DID STATE Language, both academic and social, does play an extremely vital role in shaping who we are and how we are regarded in society. IS VERY TRUE
I agree 100% with Anna's comments about bi-lingual education and how it keeps the "foreign" speaker as a "foreigner". It does indeed keep him/her from becoming a part of the "mainstream" and the rest of public society. I could very much identify with Richard Rodriguez's situation, since I too, spoke only Spanish when I started school. However, I rapidly learned English from my classmates, and it has now become my "first" language.
I do find major fault with Mr. Rodriguez when he feels he must choose one culture over the other. Why? Why couldn't he continue to speak, read and write English in school and assimilate into the "gringo" culture; yet when he got home, why didn't he continue speaking with his parents and family in Spanish? He should have maintained his fluency in Spanish and developed his culture. Does he have children? Are they familiar with their Mexican ancestry and culture? It would be a shame if the answer to those questions were "No".
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