African Roots in the U.S. Latino and Latina Tree Jan Rog / English 152

1. African Roots in the U.S. Latino and Latina TreeJan Rog / English 152 • African Influences on U.S. Latino and Latina Literature

2. per·spec·tive    noun • A view or vista. • A mental view or outlook: “It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present” (Fabian Linden).

3. The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision. • The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective. • Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker. • The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.

4. Discuss in groups. • What does it mean to be Latino or Latina? • What cultures are the roots of Latinos and Latinas today? • Why is it important to search for one’s roots?

5. Indigenous peoples of the Americas • Spanish and Portuguese explorers, priests, soldiers, and colonists. • Africans • Slaves from the TransAtlantic Trade • Africans from Spain (with influence on Spanish culture)

6. Lessons about life, family, and identity, passed down from generation to generation • Lessons about creation and the workings of the cosmos passed down through the generations • Often becoming a reality to many

7. Oral traditions • “speakers” or priests • historical lessons • prognoses • oracles • riddles • cosmogony • Legends • human narratives • ties to nature • enduring truths • faith and actions • qualities of the people • all possibilities are possible

8. Influences in MestizaCulture • Indigenous, Spanish, and African oral traditions occurred in the Mestiza culture • Legends, psalms, biblical accounts, troubadour ballads from Spain • Poems, myths, historical narrative, and cosmic revelations from indigenous peoples

9. Magic in Tales • Shape Shifting • Time Travel • Mind over Matter / Mind with Matter • Communing with the Dead • Creating a New Reality • Distinguishing Enemies • Seeking Help • Rewarding Friends

10. Select one story and read! • Quetzalcoatl • Aztlan • Our Lady of Guadalupe • La Llorona • Chac Mool • The Jaguar

11. Select an African tale and read! • Quarcoo Bah-Bohni (The Bad Boy) • Anansi and the Blind Fisherman • N’Gor Niebe • Which did you choose? Read it and determine how it compares to your Mexican tale.

12. Song and Dance • Song and Dance / Indigenous, Spanish, and African Influences • Symbolic Representation • Relating History, Social Lessons, Events • Often in the oral tradition • Ballads (Las Baladas) • Couplets (Las Coplas) • Legends (Los Cuentos, Las Leyendas )

13. Music • Addresses issues without requiring literacy • Informs, educates, and inspires action • Current as well as historical • Non-threatening, but is it? • Presents the uncommon perspective

14. Can we re-examine our histories to find there are more influences than we first thought? • Can we take a traditional interpretation and begin to consider it in a new light? • Can we be comfortable with a new understanding of the past?

15. Malinche • Traditionally, Malinche has been seen as a traitor who consorted with Hernan Cortez. • Research has uncovered. . . . • Enabled Cortez to negotiate rather than slaughter • Communicated and facilitated peaceful/ less violent transition • Spoke out against cannibalism and human sacrifice • Was the daughter of a noble Aztec family; passed over for a male heir; ended up as a slave

16. La Llorona: Reflection with Water • Recast the story: • murderess - -> • sorrowful - -> • vain - -> • vengeful - -> • weak - -> • victim - -> • misunderstood - -> • abandoned - ->

17. What does it mean to recast our stories? • Consider how Sandra Cisneros recast La Llorona and created the strong women of Woman Hollering Creek. • What does it mean if we recast our own stories? Can we allow new roots to be added to our current roots? • What do you think?