What I learned

A common question at the end of courses is what your favorite text or thing you learned was. In this course, I have an interesting situation where one of these questions answers the other. Before revealing which text it was that was my favorite, I feel compelled to explain the background in my life which influenced why I learned so much from the text. Since I was young, one of my biggest pet peeves has been people who are judgmental. I don’t know why it is, but that’s the quickest way to make my blood boil. Perhaps, it may be because I feel that I am so different from what I appear like at first, that I feel like judgment is almost always mistaken. Because of this, I felt that all judgment was bad. In my favorite text, Bless Me ,Ultima, I learned so much about judgment. I remember reading it and feeling a slight feel of uneasiness about Ultima. The next day in class, Professor Mack said something I think I will never forget. He asked how many of us felt sort of “sketched out” by Ultima. Nearly the entire class raised their hand. Professor Mack almost immediately had an unsatisfied look go onto his face. He then asked us how Jesus had asked us to judge. The reply “by his fruits” soon followed. This struck me and I analyzed Ultima’s fruits. She had done nothing but good. In that moment I realized two crucial things. First, that even just in reading for a class I had done what I so often hate, which is judging. Second, I realized not all judgment is wrong. We should judge but do so in a correct manner. The second reason I loved Bless Me, Ultima is because of the nostalgia for a more innocent time. I felt like I could relate so perfectly as I end my freshman year and begin to experience more adult-like experiences. . Overall, I loved this class and enjoyed each of the texts. This class was a unique experience. 

Para mis amigos

“What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has ever existed?" said Black, with a terrible fury in his face. "Only innocent lives, Peter!"
"You don't understand!" whined Pettigrew. "He would have killed me, Sirius!"
"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!” (Chris Columbus.Alfonson Cuaron.Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. June 4, 2004. United States: Warner Brothers.) 

Harry Potter and His best friends scheming a plan. 

My family raised my siblings and I  with very typical Colombian and Latin American customs and culture. Among those customs, is the high valuing of friendship. Once one makes a very good friend, one values that friendship and will go to great lengths for a friend. The following quote by Baltasar Gracian, a famous Spanish philosopher and writer, goes hand in hand with the Harry Potter quote and displays this cultural belief in Latin America. 

Some of my best friends 

“True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island..to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.”

Another set of Hollywood Best friends

                                                 

Some of my best friends 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban shows this high value of friendship both with Harry and his friends but even more so with Harry’s parents and their friends. As I examined these relationships and thought about how much the Latin American community values friendship; I began to wonder why is it that Latin Americans value friendship so much? I think it may be for two possible reasons. One, most Latin American countries have less wealth than developed countries such as the US or European countries,so for that reason people learn to value non-materialistic things more.Thus friendship is more vital for happiness.  Second, in many Latin American countries the cities have all the resources and the further you get from the cities the harder it is to find commodities. Because of that often people crowd into the city. This is a contrast from the US because most in the US live in suburbs where they have more space from their neighbors. I would argue this physical proximity, also adds to making more friendships. Along with the living situation point, most Latin Americans tend to stay in one place for generations  versus other areas of the world where people move around a lot. Regardless of the reason, the validity and evidence of Gracian’s quote especially among the Latin American people is undeniable. 

Show me what I'm looking for

“The God I so eagerly sought was not there and the understanding I thought to gain was not there... I wanted to tell her I was searching for something, but sometimes I didn't even know what it was I sought.”  (Anaya. Bless Me Ultima. 235)

Searching. Every day of life we are all constantly searching for something. It can be searching for someone, for something, or for someday. This message is found in poems, books, movies, or songs. As I thought about this the lyrics to a popular song came into mind.

                                                                    “Save me, I'm lost

                                                    Oh, Lord, I've been waiting for you                                                                                                     

                                                                I'll pay any cost

                                                    Save me from being confused

                                                   Show me what I'm looking for

                                                Show me what I'm looking for, oh, Lord”.

                                             ("Show me what I'm looking for by Carolina Liar) 

This song perfectly goes hand in hand with the struggle Antonio is presented with at the end of the novel. After Ultima has finally taught him to look at the world through a questioning eye, he begins to search. We read how he struggles with not immediately finding his answers. This may lead the reader to wonder,

“Is Tony’s new found view of questioning and wondering a good thing?” 

I would argue that it is a great thing. This is because it teaches us to appreciate life and opens new horizons. It can also make our convictions stronger. This can be fundamental to a happy life when it comes to crucial questions like our religious convictions. As stated in the first quote, Tony looked for God because of Ultima teaching him to question. He didn’t necessarily always find him but at least he searched. That search helped Tony, at least part of the time, find answers. Another young boy like Tony who searched was Joseph Smith.

 Smith wondered which religion was correct, read “If any of ye have doubts, ask and ye shall receive”, searched through prayer and then found an answer.

 Smith would have never found his answer and thus restored the true church if he hadn’t questioned what the correct thing was. Like Tony and Smith we all must question to be able to find our correct answers. So as we go through life every day, searching for answers, perhaps sometimes we should stop and recognize what a gift it is to have questions, doubts, and wonders. 

Dreams of our fathers

"Hell, Andy," Gene said softly, "we can't build our lives on their dreams. We're men, Andy, we're not boys any longer. We can't be tied down to their old dreams." (Bless me, Ultima, page 71, Rudolofo Anaya) 

This quote comes from a part of the novel where the boys are discussing what to do with their lives. One of the sons suggests they continue in doing their father’s dreams. The other brother objected and offered his own dreams. These dreams were much more broad and different than that of his fathers. This was fascinating to me for two reasons. 

      The first is the cultural aspect.  I often see that in Hispanic families it is of bigger emphasis to have the children have the same career as the father. Especially in very traditional Hispanic families.  This quote is fascinating to me because it shows the break in the traditional Hispanic culture of having the next generation has the same career and plans into the more modern generation of having separate dreams.

       The second reason it was so fascinating to me is because it is an aspect that even out of the Hispanic culture is so relatable.  As an example, recently, I was at dinner with classmates. As we talked about our majors a friend said, “I think my dad was disappointed when I switched from biochemistry to economics because he wanted me to be a doctor.” Someone at the table then asked my friend what his father did. He replied, “he is a doctor.”  So often our parents influence us to think we should be what they were. Or even more often, kids feel the need to be what their parents were. This is often a common theme in many novels. An example is in Les Miserables, Marius is questioned by his uncle and others about joining the revolution instead of following his family’s foot steps in being wealthy and leading.”

“Have you asked of yourselves, What’s the price you might pay? Is it simply a game for rich young boys to play?”

In conclusion, I agree with the quote and Marius’s example from Les Miserable. The most important thing is to follow our own paths that make us happy. That will be what we are most motivated to work hard for and thus most successful in. 

Wed March 20th- Music as medicine

"Ay que bonita es esta vida."- Jorge Celedon 

When I showed up for class on Tuesday March 19^th, I was so tired and stressed.  Professor Mack quickly livened up the class by having us tap to music and watch many Spanish and Brazilian music videos. It is amazing how in the course of that hour and 15 minutes, I suddenly began to feel energized and excited.

This is a personal example of how music can completely change people’s moods to be energetic and full of hope, even when they do not start off this way. I think this is a large part of the reason that music is so happy in Latin America and is constantly playing. When I’ve visited Colombia, a lot of people there have told me that since they are very economically limited, playing music and dancing wherever there is room, is one of their only ways to let loose and simply be happy. This is showcased in one of the most famous songs from Colombia is, “Esta Vida.” The chorus of  is this song truly shows that.

“Ay que bonita es esta vida
Aunque aveces duela tanto y a pesar de los pesares
Siempre hay alguien que nos quiere
Siempre hay alguien que nos cuida
Ay Ay Ay que bonita esta vida
Aunque no sea para siempre
Si la vivo con mi gente
Es bonita hasta la muerte.”

Furthermore, besides lightening the mood, many believe music can not only make you feel better but can actually make you better if you are ill.

Both of the following articles show support of this belief.

Music as medicine: Docs use tunes as Treatments

The best music to Heal you

All in all, music is amazing in all its powers. But I think they are especially strong in Latin American countries because the people there have so much need, that music can be an outlet for them to satisfy that need. It is amazing how music can change a situation. 

Society as punishment..?

Maria Candelaria, (film). Directed by Emilio Fernandez.

Maria Candelaria was hated by society from the beginning simply because of who her parents were. Society rejected her and took harsh actions against her. From the beginning of the movie, I kept thinking of a somewhat similar story, The Scarlett Letter. In the Scarlett Letter the people condemn Hester Prynn for being pregnant out of wedlock but do not bother to find out who the father is.

In both Maria Candelaria and in The Scarlett letter the townspeople embody the worst of society in showing the overly harsh judgmental characters that can come  in large groups.The norms that society places can sometimes by completely unfair and even cruel. Both these stories show this perfectly. Additionally, these stories show the danger of group mentality.

Another similarity I saw was the artist and the reverend. Both made bad choices of their own. The artist chose to go on and paint Maria in a way she clearly did not want to be painted. The revered chose to sleep with Hester Prynn. Both then made the choice of keeping silent until the woman involved in their conflicts was extremely hurt.

The big difference in these two tales of how society can harm brought me my biggest question though. The biggest difference was that Hester did indeed choose to sin and slept with the Reverend. On the contrast, Maria Candelaria did not sin because she chose not to take off her clothes. This made me wonder…

Was the town of Hester Prynn less evil for judging her since she did do something wrong?

I would argue NO. Maria Candaleria shows how even something that is extremely visible like a picture is not proof enough to show something did someone. More so, both these stories show harsh, unfair punishments on both ladies. Society punishing others of their crimes more often ends up bad versus good. So taking this to a more individual level, each of us should try not to judge, or even worse, punish others for the deeds we are unsure of. 

                                         

February 6,2013

                                              The Guitar Player by Jose Ferraz de Almedia Junior

I love music. I know everyone says this, but I feel like I love an exceptional amount. I especially love music that plays a big emphasis on the guitar. This is why this painting was my favorite. The painting and specifically the aspect of music being involved makes me thing of the long story and memories that could be behind this painting. A huge part of the reason I love music so much is because of the strong emotional tie songs can develop for memories to me. An example of this the song “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

At home, in Texas, I lived very  close to a beach. Often my friends and I would have a bonfire and play guitars and sing there. This style of music and the words reminiscing on home, always make me think of Texas and wish I could go back. This is a small personal example of how music can create such strong memories to a certain place, people, or memories.

Another reason why I was fascinated by this painting and a reason I believe I love music so much is because of the strong emphasis Spanish cultures place on music. This is true for all parts of South America, Spain, or even Spanish communities in non-Spanish countries.  I’ve seen this in the part of Colombia where my extended family lives and where I was born. The people there are very poor, thus can’t do activities like go out to restaurants or on vacations to celebrate, so rather they turn on happy music and then dance and celebrate. 

In Colombia, this is one of the most famous celebrating and rejoicing about life songs. 

 In Spanish culture, playing the guitar or simply listening to music can be one of the only ways to express emotions and convey a message. This is why I believe this simple painting expressed so much.

 

February 13, 2013

“Then she held him to her delicate breast; her eyes enfolded him in sadness and love. ‘You are Moacir, the child born of my suffering’” (Iracema, Jose de Alencar, 101)

This part in the book is one of the most heartbreaking scenes. It completely shows how Iracema has become a dynamic character and gone from her strong self to being someone who was so weak and put herself through so much stress. Iracema and Martim’s relationship shows how one person can bring out the worst in another. As I read this, I thought of how apparent this is in real life. Each of us has our own temptations. It can be a person, activity, or substance.

But what can protect us from the downfall of our strongest temptation?

I believe it’s the source of our conviction to our standards . It is absolutely fascinating how the source of our conviction can be so different yet they can all have the same effect of making us stick to our standards. Different religions are a prime example of this. Each religion teaches something so different yet it ends up in it being the source to the standards. An example of the different teachings are comparing Mormonism to Buddhism. Mormonism often has very specific instructions for their standards. This is shown in materials like “For the Strength of Youth”.

In contrast, Buddhism doesn’t have extremely specific instructions for each standard but rather has a Noble Eightfold path to enlightenment that is meant to guide you in every aspect of life and standards. These general guidelines can help people be strong and follow their standards just like following the specific strength of the youth guidelines can.

Other peoples sources of conviction are the way their families raised them or simple a deep conviction in following their society’s norms. The most important thing is to make sure we find a source of conviction to make our standards stay strong. 

Life&Death

"Death is a mirror which reflects the van gesticulations of the living. Death defines life;a death depicts a life immutable forms; we do not change except to disappear." 

                             - ("Day of the Dead", page 54, Octavio Paz) 

The day of the dead passage created interesting ideas about death and life. It argued that death was only as important as we let it be and that it was simply a fact of life we must accept. I thought of many other poets that had written about dealing with death. Surprisingly, I realized that two of my all time favorite poems are about death. These two poems are "Anna Bell Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe  and "Because Death Could Not Stop for Me" by Emily Dickinson. I love these poems for two separate reasons. I love the Emily Dickinson poem because of the extremely solemn and tranquil way she approaches death in her poem.

"He kindly stopped for me –  The Carriage held but just Ourselves –  And Immortality. We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure"

Jackson talks about death almost as an old friend that is bringing her to a casual lunch. 

I love the Poe poem because it does not describe death as a friend but rather as a conquerable enemy. Poe acknowledges that while death may have separated him and his beloved wife for a while, their love is still as strong as ever. 

I wondered what made these famous poets take such different approaches to death. 

I think it comes down to what each persons experience with death is. Dickinson is famously known for having had mental issues. Her issues may have made death appear like rest and relaxation. Poe's relationship with death was a close one. He constantly thought and wrote about it. It was familiar and he felt he knew it well enough that his love could conquer it. 

Paz, Dickinson, and Poe offer different words about death but I feel that their experiences all bring familiarity to death which is why none of them really fear it. Perhaps the reason people fear death so much is simply because so many people have such little experience with it. 

What makes us, us.

"He, too, when a child,and even later, had been superstitious, filled with an arsenal of beliefs which his mother had instilled."  

                   -Machado de Assis, The Fortune Teller

 What role do our parents have in making our personalities? 

                       Camillo was extremely superstitious because of the way his mother had taught him. As I read about this, I thought back to one of the basic debates in my human development class. Are people the way they are because of nature or nurture? If Camillo's mother had raised him not to believe in ghosts would he still have had the basic disposition to believe this?  This age old debate is called nature versus nature. Hundreds of psychologists have hundreds of different ideas about which one is correct.

 This debate can spread through various fields. I can especially apply this into my major, political science. In my major, we often examine what gives each person their political ideology.. is it the state they were born in? The type of schools they go to? The way their parents taught them? How their parents taught them? (All elements of nurture) Or is it their basic personality trends they were driven to? (nature) 

 The nature vs. nurture debate can be taken to levels as basic as food preferences. Do we like food because we were raised being given that food or do our taste buds have preference to that?

As I read through various material on this subject, I began to think of a broader context for this. Can we blame our bad choices on our nurture? I thought of people like Stalin and Hitler. As I thought of this, I formed an opinion leaning towards our nature forming who we truly are. As members of the LDS church, this is even more applicable with how we believe agency is what guides who we turn out to be.