The Political Performance of Motherhood: Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo
During the Argentine dictatorship known as the Dirty War (1976-1983), thousands of people were systematically abducted by the government in order to eliminate all opposition to the regime. These "disappearances," which the dictatorship never admitted to committing, happened across class and age lines, but most of the kidnapped were young students and blue-collar workers. Despite the fact that associations and meetings of any kind were forbidden, a group of housewife mothers decided to protest the disappearance of their children. They began to gather every Thursday afternoon at the same time in the main square in Buenos Aires, Plaza de Mayo, walking alone or in pairs
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Furthermore, the Madres' struggle only makes sense as it relates to their maternal identity: "[t]he kidnappings were brutal assaults [...] against their role as mothers," according to Marysa Navarro. "Suddenly deprived of their children, their lives had lost their meaning" (3). The Madres uprising was as much about recovering their children as it was about regaining their identities.
The success of their movement was only possible thanks to what Taylor calls its "highly theatrical" (4) nature. Although the Madres were not impersonating something they were not, they exploited the stereotypical characteristics of motherhood, particularly when it came to dress, to obtain their goals. Paradoxically, the highlighting of their status as outsiders in the political system actually allowed them to enter the system.
In Portillo and Muñoz's documentary, the Madres march in the streets in their trademark white kerchiefs. But that is not the only visually homogenizing factor present in the hundreds of women, from all socio-economic backgrounds, that are shown in the movie. Most wear conservative skirts and hold large handbags; many wear eyeglasses. The result is striking: the Madres look old, frail, and powerless. According to Taylor, this "uniform" forms part of the carefully constructed image of the Madres'. These women have "recount[ed] how they dressed down as dowdy old women and became quick-change artist—some of them slipping on less traditionally
Who is Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez and what is she responsible of? Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez was a Mexican patriot who was also a heroine for Mexico’s War of Independence. Doña Josefa made history when she had the courage and bravery to risk he life by alerting rebels and rebel leaders about the discovery the King’s men made about the conspiracy of an uprising against the King to claim independence. She was responsible for some of Mexico’s success in the war
The author shows that in order to act the part of being rich white girls they need to change their hair color which is in some way a part of their identity.Also Martinez shows us that the Mimis would purposely pretend to not understand spanish “you no puedo-o hablar-o Españal-o,”(3) This proves that when they acted like rich girls it harmed them since it affected the mimis interactions with other family
Ever since fourth grade, one of my best friends have been Taylor Elam. Over the years that we’ve been friends we’ve had some jokes. My mom loves Mexican food; Taylor used to not like mexican food very much. Whenever our families would go out to eat, my mom would suggest something mexican. Whenever mexican was suggested by my mom, Taylor would respond “of course Hope wants mexican,” and whenever someone would ask where we were going to eat Taylor would say, “Hope wants mexican!” which we would always laugh about.
I am going to tell you about a famous, yet kinda eerie celebration that takes place in mexico. This is a tradition celebrated by the Mexican Natives, most Mexican Americans (including myself) don’t even acknowledge this day, unless they happen to be visiting mexico at the time of this event.
All four sisters reject their stereotypical role as women in the society by standing up for their beliefs and the revolution. When Minerva said,” It’s about time we women had a voice in running our country,”(Alvarez ?Chapter 1?) shows how outspoken she is about her country. The way Minerva demands equality shows the influence that men have over women in the Dominican culture. During the 1960s, the men expected women to be housewives, and to just cook and clean. In the book when Jaimito says,” The Mirabal sisters like to run their men, that was the problem. In his house, we was the one to wear the pants.”(Alvarez, 176-177) That shows that men expect women to be below them.
All they wanted was an answer to one question “Where were their children? Their sons and daughters were “missing” and all they were told was” We don’t have any answers! The citizens were afraid, even high authorities of religious groups turned a blind eye. In 1977, with Argentina under a violent military dictatorship, a group of mostly house wives living in a fear oppressed state made a stand and found their voice. They demanded to be heard and while the regime was enforcing their control and power over Argentinians political views through torture and disappearance; a mother’s devotion to her child and the political resistance transformed these mothers into a political force. They are the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who effectively mounted a civil rights movement that forced the top military officials to be charged for their crimes and have sustained an
During the Mexican Revolution, Mexico as a nation torn in many directions, people gave up simple farming lives to take up arms against causes that many of them did not fully understand. Gender roles during the period in Mexico were exceptionally degrading towards women. Having little more rights than slaves and treated as trophies or property more than human beings, women role in society was nothing near that of a man’s. In The Underdogs, Mariano Anzuela highlights the issue of gender roles by continuously illustrating the punitive role of women and their mistreatment. Augmenting Anzuelas work with citations from Oscar Lewis and Stephanie Smith will paint a picture of the degrading gender roles for women during the Mexican Revolution. Highlighted points brought up by Azuela are how men speak with and treat women, women’s place in society, and general disregard for women’s feelings.
Just as Sorrento had predicted.” and "Look at the fire! Look at the flames! Flames everywhere..."Once again, the young men bound and gagged her. When they actually struck her, people shouted their approval: "Keep her quiet! Make that madwoman shut up. She's not the only one here... " Both of these quotes shows how even when danger was near or when something really bad happened in these times they looked at one person as a “madwoman” and how they blamed it on the normal things and never bothered to look into to find the real problem shows that people get down in dumps or dirt poor shows that have no time or interest in finding out what happened.
The book Revolutionary Mothers, by Carol Berkin is a truth telling and eye opening experience for the reader that shows how the fight for America’s independence affected the role of women. The book reveals the unknown side of women during young America’s first major war, the Revolutionary War. It portrays the very important role women played during war despite the fact that war brought scarcity, bloodshed, and danger into their lives. Women’s lives changed drastically during this time period.
Cinco de Mayo means the fifth of May. It is not an independence day for Mexico like most unknowledgeable people think. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th of September. Mexico declared independence from Spain on the 24th of August 1821. Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday either. Mexico and the United States savor this holiday because it is the day where Mexican peasants/ commoners defeated the French and Mexican traitor army that double them in size in Puebla, Mexico one hundred miles away from Mexico city on the 5th of May, 1862.
In the dominican republic the dictatorship of Rafel trujillo created lots of problems for the citizens. Minerva said “ it’s about time women had a voice in running our country.” (Alvarez , 10) This shows that women didn’t have a voice. “Don Enrique claims Trujillo needs help with this country . Don Enriques daughter says its about time women have a voice in this country.” (Alvarez ,10) This shows that the family was afraid they would get in trouble for mentioning they would help the country. Minerva and her sisters wanted more freedom. They lived normal lives “all while they fight against Trujillo and become national heroes.” (Minou Mirabal)
It all started when the students decided to organize and protest against the violence exerted by the riot police. During the previous months, Mexico City witnessed a series of student protests and rallies against repression and violence. (“Mexico 's 1968 Massacre”) for example on August 13, a large demonstration of around 150,000 participants gathered to protest, a protest that ended outside of the palace of governor. On 13 September the "march of silence ”took place, this was a protest of more than 250,000 people, where they all remained silent to prevent the police put the pretext of provocation by students (“Movimiento estudiantil de 1968”).
In consequence of these bad treats, women try to find different ways that in their point of view were a way out to reveal their need and discontents with man. One way for women to express their dissatisfaction was become part to the Convent, it provided an especially opportunity to achieving self-expression and freedom from male domination and sexual exploitation for elite and middle-class women. In the convents women display their capacity for leadership in administration, management of resources, and a way to create a social life by receiving visitors. An example of these ways out to society is “Sor Juana,” according to Keen and Haynes’s book Sor Juana’s intellectual brilliance made it difficult for her to find a suitable marriage partner, in consequence she decide to become part of a Convent. This same experience was common for one or more daughters of an elite family in every day life
Throughout Argentina and as well many other Central American countries during that of the late 1970’s, many were going through severe political upheaval. This political catastrophe coupled with various human rights violations pushed many people to the edge and out of their homeland. Economically drained and scared for their lives Argentines sought freedom and asylum within the United States. For many this was the start of something new in a foreign country with people that speak a foreign language. Courage and bravery those are two words that in my eyes describe an immigrant that has been forced to endure so much that they leave everything they had ever known.The Dirty War of Argentina caused families to be ripped apart and people to vanish as if they had never existed. This horrendous stretch in Argentine history showcased various human rights violations, corrupt leaders, United States backed coup, death and a need for reform in a country that was broken and dismayed.
By having legitimate groups of women, it follows to have illegitimate groups. During the story, we are introduced to the concept of “unwomen” – those who are unable to reproduce, or simply refuse to obey orders. Another illegitimate group that we learn of is the one that Moira eventually joins – prostitutes or ‘Jezebels’. These two groups only reiterate the point that individualism is not allowed, and is not welcomed, in this government.