Taming Nativity The excerpt, “Wild tongues can’t be tamed, they can only be cut out,” from the essay, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue,” by Gloria Anzaldua helps convey the idea of how American cultural imperialism forces Chicanos to abandon their culture and heritage and assimilate into the American way of life. Gloria Anzaldua, a sixth-generation Mexican-American, grew up in Texas 's segregated educational system in 1949, where she experienced discrimination and judgement because of her native language. In her essay Anzaldua shares first hand experience of the internal and external struggle Chicanos face everyday in this country because of the ambiguity in their cultural identification. The notable language and rotating dialect Anzaldua chooses
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This helps achieve her purpose of embracing one’s true heritage and identity as she states, “I will no longer feel ashamed of existing, I will have my voice: Indian, Spanish, white. I will have my serpent’s tongue...I will overcome the tradition of silence” (Anzaldua 59). This statement shows how much the author has grown and learned from experiences that denied her self growth. Anzaldua builds her credibility by sharing with the reader how she became proud of her roots in order to be proud of herself. It is here that Anzaldua helps the reader realize that their should be no shame in who you truly are and no shame in expressing your voice and native tongue. She also emphasizes on the fact that for chicanos their is no specific correct language because there is also not an ideal Chicano experience. Anzaldua’s message is that everyone is different and that is the beauty behind racial divergency. In an article published in the Huffington post, a high school student shares her story of how she overcame living in depression because of racism, she states, “I’ve realized that sometimes you are tempted to think that everyone is perfect except for you, but in reality, no one is, no matter how much we want them to be...I stopped pretending to be happy, and when I stopped pretending, I actually became happier.” This personal experience shows how an individual can change and grow within when they learn to let go of what keeps them prisoners inside. Anzaldua is trying to unfold the same message with her change of tone and personal
This helps achieve her purpose of embracing one’s true heritage and identity as she states, “I will no longer feel ashamed of existing, I will have my voice: Indian, Spanish, white. I will have my serpent’s tongue...I will overcome the tradition of silence” (Anzaldua 59). This statement shows how much the author has grown and learned from experiences that denied her self growth. Anzaldua builds her credibility by sharing with the reader how she became proud of her roots in order to be proud of herself. It is here that Anzaldua helps the reader realize that their should be no shame in who you truly are and no shame in expressing your voice and native tongue. She also emphasizes on the fact that for chicanos their is no specific correct language because there is also not an ideal Chicano experience. Anzaldua’s message is that everyone is different and that is the beauty behind racial divergency. In an article published in the Huffington post, a high school student shares her story of how she overcame living in depression because of racism, she states, “I’ve realized that sometimes you are tempted to think that everyone is perfect except for you, but in reality, no one is, no matter how much we want them to be...I stopped pretending to be happy, and when I stopped pretending, I actually became happier.” This personal experience shows how an individual can change and grow within when they learn to let go of what keeps them prisoners inside. Anzaldua is trying to unfold the same message with her change of tone and personal