Long time readers with memories will recall that 2005 was the year of the latina. My objectives were simple and broad, thus simple:

I'll try to focus on getting more involved in Latina politics, read more about Latina-focused feminism, and perhaps a little Mexico history. Oh, and yes...speak to Ella in Spanish more often. I found that I know a lot more than I realized once I had Ella. There's nothing better than yelling at your daughter in Spanish. *wink*

Perhaps my first step would be to finally perfect my cheese enchiladas.

So how did I do?

I am attending more Latina events in the community. Latinas & motherhood/reproductive justice/domestic violence/etc. Soon I'll go to my first real Latina book reading! So far, ok. There are times when I feel like a totally poser as the white Latina in the room. It's sometimes embarrassing when I see the uber-white chick speaking beautiful Spanish. But not as awkward as having to say the Lord's Prayer while planning my mom's funeral and Kat, a non-Catholic, knowing the words while I just stood there!

I am speaking to Ella a bit more in Spanish. It helps that she's getting older and getting into more trouble and somehow that awakens my dormant Spanish skills.

So now what?

I'm finding more and more Latina bloggers. And you know what? I sometimes feel like an anthropologist studying a distant culture. So when Brownfemipower posted that Textaisle suggested that instead/inconjunction with any Carnivals that we do a Blogthropology, I thought, "Shit! That's what I'm doing already!" What is a Blogthropology? Glad you asked:

the study of people, their cultures and their characteristics by way of their blogs.

Blogthropology is a political project aimed at creating solidarity, moving from respect that isn't to respect. I don't think of it as an end in itself but instead as a blueprint for other interactions and other dialogues, hopefully happening outside of blogs altogether once we have wrenched ourselves away from our own sites. I am confident that if blogging is usful as a political tool, it's perhaps most useful as a tool to learn how to discuss. And I don't mean how to shout louder, jockey for position, and complain about who gets how much attention and how. Blogthropology can realistically acclimate us to decentering our own identities and our own privileges, toward building equitable models of give and take that are not blog-specific. So, let's make a habit of it. Tenth day of every month.

But really, read the whole post on either of their blogs to really get the gist of it.

This really fits into my whole being right now. As I've mentioned before, I've guzzled down 4 books by some kick ass black feminists in the last 2 months. The next two I'm reading are not by women of color, but more definitely are feminists. I did contact a Latina professor who studies scifi and asked her for some good feminist Latina scifi suggestions. Of course, the first she suggests is in SPANISH! But a-ha! Ursula "My Goddess of Feminist SciFi" K. LeGuin did a translation! So I'll add her to my huge ass list of books to get and read.

So let the adventure begin!

Oh and yes, I think I've perfected my enchiladas. But alas, in order for them to be perfect, more people need to come for dinner and that's an issue with both sides of this issue (the invitees and the invitors).

Labels: latina