Borderlands By Gloria AnzaldГ єa
As human beings we tend to classify others by classifying ourselves (Eide 74 ).
Nothing wrong with that per se, if not for using problematic criteria, such as race,
skin color, gender, sexual orientation, class, religion, or ethnicity, in an often negative
and derogatory way. As soon as individuals or groups are considering themselves
superior, they inherently impose inferiority upon others, and discrimination and
bigotry is born. Equality is still far from being common practice. A large part of the
problem is ignorance; ignorance about other cultures, religions, gender range,
ethnicity and many other characteristics. In her book Borderlands: La Frontera,
Gloria AnzaldГ єa describes how she has hopes for a new humanity, not inhibited by
race or gender or any other social, political or ethical label; a hybrid form, an
epitome of all possible confluences: a cosmic race, with a rich gene pool and a new
consciousness (100 102). She believes this can be realized by uprooting all dualistic
thinking and teaching tolerance and openness from a very young age: nothing is
thrust out, the good, the bad and the ugly, nothing rejected, nothing abandoned
(AnzaldГ єa 101) . She uses the... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
But, as with all resources, it might give rise to exactly the opposite of what is was
meant for. It can isolate the cause it stands for, thereby making the chasm between it
and others even larger, instead of bringing them closer together. It is a tool, nothing
more: it can come in handy, but has no secondary agenda, and is to be used very
carefully. AnzaldГ єa s concept of a new consciousness, though beautiful and
achievable, will need time and willingness to cooperate. And within that framework
people should accept the fact that they can, themselves, be part of the problem and
make an effort to help solve it. In a way Anzaldua s vision has already been in
operation for thousands and thousands of