1. The concept of mestizaje plays a central role in Gloria Anzaldúa's writings. She uses the term to describe the process of cultural hybridization that occurs when different cultures come into contact with each other. She argues that mestizaje is a source of strength and resilience for people who live in borderlands, as it allows them to navigate between different cultures and identities.
2. Anzaldúa's concept of borderland departs from traditional views of the border by emphasizing the fluidity and complexity of borderland identities. She argues that borderlands are spaces of cultural hybridity, where people must navigate between different languages, cultures, and identities. In contrast to traditional views of the border as a fixed and stable boundary, Anzaldúa sees the border as a site of ongoing transformation and negotiation.
3. According to La Bestia, Mexico plays a complex role in US immigration policies. On the one hand, Mexico serves as a buffer state that helps to prevent Central American migrants from reaching the US border. On the other hand, Mexico is also a transit country for many migrants who are trying to reach the US. The film suggests that Mexico is caught in the middle of this complex and often contradictory set of policies.
4. An example of success in achieving the American Dream can be seen in the story of the Cuban refugees in Balseros, who were able to build successful lives in the US after fleeing the Castro regime. An example of failure can be seen in the story of Sayra and her family in Sin nombre, who are ultimately unable to escape poverty and violence despite their efforts to migrate to the US.
5. The appropriation of graffiti aesthetics by the art world can be seen as a form of co-optation, where the subversive and political elements of graffiti are stripped away and replaced with a sanitized and commercialized version. This process reflects the larger trend of cultural commodification, where radical and subversive cultural forms are appropriated and repackaged for a mainstream audience.
6. The political establishment and part of NY society were obsessed with cracking down on graffiti because they saw it as a symbol of urban decay and lawlessness. Graffiti was seen as a threat to public order and safety, and was associated with gang activity and other forms of criminal behavior. Additionally, graffiti was seen as a form of cultural expression that was associated with marginalized and subaltern groups, and was therefore viewed with suspicion and hostility by those in power.
7. In Los Sures, women are implicitly described as the backbone of the community.