I wonder if the older white woman would have treated Xitlali the same way if she knew all that Xitlali had to endure and sacrifice to get where she is now. Instead of viewing Chicanx as what the media portrays us to be, a discussion should be had on the traits such as resiliency that is possessed especially by Chicanas. This trait is highlighted in Ana Castillo’s A Countryless Woman wherein she details many of the struggles Chicanas face on a daily basis. Among the plethora of issues, Castillo points out, “[t]he cultural and religious beliefs that maintain that most Latinas on either side of the border are (and should be) dependent on their men for economic survival are not only unrealistic, evidence shows they no reflect reality” (37). In a country that views them “at best as a second class citizen, at worst, as a non-entity” (Castillo), Chicanas find ways to continue to provide for their families, even when public opinion and economics are pitted against them. Relating this to my anecdote, after the encounter, Xitlali teared up. But after a few minutes, she wiped her tears and proceeded to greet the incoming customers with a smile. When the public is able to see this cosmic race as a relient one, as Vasconcelos penned it, then we can work towards dismantling the racists attitudes that are very much alive
I wonder if the older white woman would have treated Xitlali the same way if she knew all that Xitlali had to endure and sacrifice to get where she is now. Instead of viewing Chicanx as what the media portrays us to be, a discussion should be had on the traits such as resiliency that is possessed especially by Chicanas. This trait is highlighted in Ana Castillo’s A Countryless Woman wherein she details many of the struggles Chicanas face on a daily basis. Among the plethora of issues, Castillo points out, “[t]he cultural and religious beliefs that maintain that most Latinas on either side of the border are (and should be) dependent on their men for economic survival are not only unrealistic, evidence shows they no reflect reality” (37). In a country that views them “at best as a second class citizen, at worst, as a non-entity” (Castillo), Chicanas find ways to continue to provide for their families, even when public opinion and economics are pitted against them. Relating this to my anecdote, after the encounter, Xitlali teared up. But after a few minutes, she wiped her tears and proceeded to greet the incoming customers with a smile. When the public is able to see this cosmic race as a relient one, as Vasconcelos penned it, then we can work towards dismantling the racists attitudes that are very much alive