links for 2008-07-25
-
“Contrary to popular belief, what machismo has become is not a concept that is blindly accepted by Latin@ cultures. But it also is not a concept that is considered completly disgusting either. It, like so many things in U.S. culture, is considered complic
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
pilar678 wrote:
I’ve always loathed the term “machismo”. It seems to define some perceived monolithic Latin American/Latino/Hispanic culture as extremely male dominated, and featuring a very aggressive and violent version of masculinity. When you consider the fact that virtually all societies and cultures around the world are or have been mostly male dominated, and that male aggression and male oppression of women is pretty much universal, the term starts to seem a bit suspect. It’s right there with the hot latina and the latin lover as an unnecessary and derogatory stereotype, and nothing more. Do some latin american cultures feature aggressive masculinities and female oppression? Sure, and so do pretty much all societies and nations around the world. When you start talking about a particular latin masculinity, as if all men of latin american extraction share the same characteristics ccorss cultures, nationalities, races, classes, faiths, etc, you are obviously falling into prime totalizing and generalizing territory. Very problematic. This is just a general thoguht that came to mind, I understand that la chola is writing about Mexican culture, but the point still stands.
Anyway, I read la chola’s post and really am not getting what Alberto Gonzalez has to do with anything that she’s talking about, and I’m sorry if I violate any kind of racialicious protocol, but i must say: LOL!
Posted 25 Jul 2008 at 9:46 pm ¶
BayouBlue wrote:
The way “macho” has been appropriated by popular culture is problematic. The word has sexually aggressive overtones and this is wrong because it’s incomplete.
The term is about maleness – it encompasses the the full sphere of a man’s role. It does mean aggressor at times, and sexual, but it also means protector, it means loving, generous and kind.
The term has become diluted through appropriation and therefore it has become an insult.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be skeptical about traditional gender roles. We should.
I’m just very annoyed by the way popular culture has stolen this word from our culture, turned it around and then uses it to insult our men.
Posted 26 Jul 2008 at 12:39 pm ¶