Sec. A Discussion Questions

Natalia Espinoza
Carla Fernandez
AC213 Section A
November 5, 2008
Discussion Questions

Is “Spanglish” the third language of the South?

There are different views on the use of” Spanglish. What are those views? And how does each view justify their assertions? From what community do these views or perceptions about “Spanglish” come from?

People use “Spanglish” in different ways, according to the circumstance. What are the different ways in which Spanglish is used and who are the people that use it? (pg 334)

What are some of the arguments in favor of the use of Spanglish? What are some of the arguments against the use of “Spanglish”?


“Jose, can you see?”

What are the ways in which some Anglo-Americans display racist views through their use of the Spanish language?

Does the author of this reading believe there is a “way out” of these racist practices? Why or why not? (pg 53)

Immigrants in this country are pressured to assimilate to American society by learning English. How are they able to demonstrate membership in this society as well as maintain membership in their original culture?


Chicano Men: A Cartography of Homosexual Identity and Behavior

When talking about Chicano male sexuality, Almaguer delineates two distinct sexual systems: the European-American and Mexican/Latin-American systems.

Discussion: How do these two systems differ and in what ways do they help us understand Chicano male sexuality?

From this reading we gather that the gay identity of Chicano men in the U.S. takes a different shape than that of white American men.

Discussion: What are some of the reasons why gay identity shapes itself differently for Chicano men than white American men?

As Almaguer writes, “…the extraordinary work of Cherrie Moraga articulates a lucid and complex analysis of the predicament that the middle class Chicana lesbian and Chicano gay men face in this society” (90).

Discussion: What are some of these predicaments that queer Chicanas and Chicanos face in their society?

Playing with Fire: The Gendered Construction of Chicana/Mexicana Sexuality

Zavella decided to tackle questions of Chicana/Mexicana sexuality through the use of ethnographic interviews.

Discussion: What are some of the drawbacks she discusses about using interviews to understand sexuality and what do these say about Chicana/Mexicano society?

This article itself is titled “Playing with Fire.” Zavella discusses the use and prevalence of the metaphors “playing” and “fire” amongst her interviewees.

Discussion: What are some of the implications of these metaphors and what do they have to say about Chicana/Mexicano queers and their society?

Sylvia Rivera’s Talk at LGMNY

In her article, Rivera outlines the changing relationship between the trans community and the gay community.

Discussion: What was this relationship like? How has it changed? How is it now? How have these relationships helped with the evolution of the gay liberation movement and the trans movement?