Victor Villasenor Analysis

To be able to compare the writings of Victor Villasenor with the writings of Palmer, Borgmann and Bonhoeffer, one must first gain an understanding of the familial roots that are present in most Hispanic or Mexican households. The Mexican way of thinking is a little different from the American point of view. Strictly following an authority figure, and the teachings of the Catholic Church rate very high in most families; as shown in Burro Genius (Villasenor, 2004), the family ties and what is taught generation to generation is very much at the forefront of everyday thinking. Starting with kindergarten, each day in school is a trial for little Edmundo, he is ridiculed by the teacher, endures fights almost daily with other children, and he finds it hard to remain true to his Mexican heritage, his church teaching and his familial bonds. Each day he asks Papito or God, why these things are happening to him and asks to be rescued from the trials and tribulations that occur as he grows. His teachers often berate the Mexican students, calling them names, striking …show more content…
This is his story, told simply and honestly from the fears of a small boy to the man learning he had dyslexia that was off the “charts”. This story illustrates the “divided life” which Palmer (2004) says “. . . sooner or later, we erect a wall between our inner and outer lives. Trying to protect what is within us or to deceive people around us” (Palmer, 2004,p 39). Edmundo creates his wall between what he must be at school and how he must act, while the other side of the wall is his Mexican heritage, language and beliefs. Victor Villasenor has proven that anything is possible for anyone to accomplish if they are able to grow beyond barriers, real or imagined by society, the community, the family or by