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Freedom and equality have always been the product of local circumstances. Certainly it depended of the cultural context, even tough Latin America is considered as one region; rights would differ even in the same section, (this would definitely apply in the Mexican case, for being such a big country). The most impressive fact is that […] read full post >>

This weeks readings focuses many issues such as of citizenship and rights during the formation of Latin America and its many states, the issue of woman's rights and religion. This review will focus on Document 3.4 titled 'Brushstroke' by Maria Eugenia Echenique. Maria strongly believes in the freedoms of woman and wishes to fight against the oppression of woman. Through a combination of education and increased freedoms, Maria believes woman can truly break through prejudice and succeed at life far more easily than before. It is undeniable the access to education is one of the most critical factors in the fight against oppression. This can be seen in modern times in countries such all around the world from the middle east, to the Asia and even into the west. Education has always been seen as the gateway to freedom and choice; without the ability to understand and think critical and make decisions, society is unable to progress. Whilst this fact is undeniable, Maria does become quite stereotypical and generalizes the male population quite destructively. She continues to state that men laugh at everything, make jokes of themselves, only think about filling their pockets (with money presumably) and satisfying their desires whilst becoming angry, aggressive and destructive if something comes between them and their goals.  Whilst this would upset the modern reader, this document must be placed into context of Latin American society in the late nineteen hundreds when woman's right's were blatantly non existent.

Whilst I am writing this I feel the need to compare Maria's original document to document 3.5 titled “Women: Dedicated to Miss Maria Eugenia Echenique” by  Judith (Josefi na Pelliza de Sagasta). Judith contradicts Maria completely stating that she believes equality between sexes would be destructive and a terrible thing if it occurred. She argues that woman would lose their "greatest charms and the poetic prestige of their weakness: the prestige which forms the most noble attribute of their sex, the prestige that later, when women are mothers, doubly beautifies them and places them on the sacred throne of the home, where women best belong. Women, in our opinion, should never even in thought surpass the limits that God." This type of comment would not stand in modern times without serious backlash and it is surprising that a comment like this would be made by a woman even during such a turmoiled time.




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This weeks readings focuses many issues such as of citizenship and rights during the formation of Latin America and its many states, the issue of woman's rights and religion. This review will focus on Document 3.4 titled 'Brushstroke' by Maria Eugenia Echenique. Maria strongly believes in the freedoms of woman and wishes to fight against the oppression of woman. Through a combination of education and increased freedoms, Maria believes woman can truly break through prejudice and succeed at life far more easily than before. It is undeniable the access to education is one of the most critical factors in the fight against oppression. This can be seen in modern times in countries such all around the world from the middle east, to the Asia and even into the west. Education has always been seen as the gateway to freedom and choice; without the ability to understand and think critical and make decisions, society is unable to progress. Whilst this fact is undeniable, Maria does become quite stereotypical and generalizes the male population quite destructively. She continues to state that men laugh at everything, make jokes of themselves, only think about filling their pockets (with money presumably) and satisfying their desires whilst becoming angry, aggressive and destructive if something comes between them and their goals.  Whilst this would upset the modern reader, this document must be placed into context of Latin American society in the late nineteen hundreds when woman's right's were blatantly non existent.

Whilst I am writing this I feel the need to compare Maria's original document to document 3.5 titled “Women: Dedicated to Miss Maria Eugenia Echenique” by  Judith (Josefi na Pelliza de Sagasta). Judith contradicts Maria completely stating that she believes equality between sexes would be destructive and a terrible thing if it occurred. She argues that woman would lose their "greatest charms and the poetic prestige of their weakness: the prestige which forms the most noble attribute of their sex, the prestige that later, when women are mothers, doubly beautifies them and places them on the sacred throne of the home, where women best belong. Women, in our opinion, should never even in thought surpass the limits that God." This type of comment would not stand in modern times without serious backlash and it is surprising that a comment like this would be made by a woman even during such a turmoiled time.




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"the declaration did not include women, and made no mention of freedom for slaves" It then goes on to explain the definition of what it means to be a citizen, which varies greatly depending on where a person lived. Because of the extreme levels of diversity in Latin America, it was extremely challenging to define a citizen, and if each person deserved to have the rights which were granted along with citizenship. It was also a struggle to determine if woman were to be granted these rights, even if they were born into a high class family, because of the stereotype that was engraved into peoples minds that woman were to be homemakers, even if they had proved themselves in combat.

Since lighter skin was considered better, people subtracted the amount of darker skinned people through intermarriage as well as reclassification. Something that I found quite interesting was the difference in the importing of slaves in southern and northern America. Slaves were much less often imported in the United States, as they were much more valuable to the their owners, and therefore were better taken care of and lived longer lives. In South America, slaves were very frequently imported because they lived much shorter lives, many died within their first 3 years of work.
The second reading is focused on the current state of Cub, and centered on the equality of the people. This is displayed by the line " everybody in the conservation of Cuban nationality, allowing everybody born in this land equally in public administration". As well as " Immigration should be free for all races, without giving preference to any". The third reading was slightly confusing to me. It started off talking about the importance of religion, but then explained the cost f joining the church, with special discounts if a person was ill. I found this slightly odd, as church is now free except for donations.
   

   

 

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"the declaration did not include women, and made no mention of freedom for slaves" It then goes on to explain the definition of what it means to be a citizen, which varies greatly depending on where a person lived. Because of the extreme levels of diversity in Latin America, it was extremely challenging to define a citizen, and if each person deserved to have the rights which were granted along with citizenship. It was also a struggle to determine if woman were to be granted these rights, even if they were born into a high class family, because of the stereotype that was engraved into peoples minds that woman were to be homemakers, even if they had proved themselves in combat.

Since lighter skin was considered better, people subtracted the amount of darker skinned people through intermarriage as well as reclassification. Something that I found quite interesting was the difference in the importing of slaves in southern and northern America. Slaves were much less often imported in the United States, as they were much more valuable to the their owners, and therefore were better taken care of and lived longer lives. In South America, slaves were very frequently imported because they lived much shorter lives, many died within their first 3 years of work.
The second reading is focused on the current state of Cub, and centered on the equality of the people. This is displayed by the line " everybody in the conservation of Cuban nationality, allowing everybody born in this land equally in public administration". As well as " Immigration should be free for all races, without giving preference to any". The third reading was slightly confusing to me. It started off talking about the importance of religion, but then explained the cost f joining the church, with special discounts if a person was ill. I found this slightly odd, as church is now free except for donations.
   

   

 

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Unlike previous readings, Dawson’s Chapter 3 invoked very entangled emotions. I don’t want to be sentimental about the past , yet the history of Latin America, as well as many others, saddens and upsets me. In retrospect, it’s somewhat peculiar to me that people should have thought in a certain way in history. For instance, how could science […] read full post >>

Unlike previous readings, Dawson’s Chapter 3 invoked very entangled emotions. I don’t want to be sentimental about the past , yet the history of Latin America, as well as many others, saddens and upsets me. In retrospect, it’s somewhat peculiar to me that people should have thought in a certain way in history. For instance, how could science […] read full post >>

Citizenship and Rights in the New RepublicsAs Latin American regions began formulating their own states, they were faced with highly complex and subjective decisions regarding who the citizens were and which rights these citizens were entitled to.Post-... read full post >>

Citizenship and Rights in the New Republics

As Latin American regions began formulating their own states, they were faced with highly complex and subjective decisions regarding who the citizens were and which rights these citizens were entitled to.
Post-emancipation, there began a conservative backlash and upper class individuals sought to manipulate the law in order to maintain their power. The documents in this chapter attempt to explain the race or gender divide, and how it should be handled.
The first article, written by Rodrigues strongly emphasizes the "truth" of his science. In my opinion his writing is very over-confident and egotistic. He considers himself to be looking at things objectively while twisting his observations into a subjective conclusion: that religion manifests itself naturally depending on race. He claims that African fetishism is inherent, and that they cannot comprehend being monotheistic even if it appears so outwardly through the adoption of Catholic practices. He also calls the hybrid of Fetishism and Catholicism "mongrel practices and beliefs." Rodrigues creates a clear divide between race and religious groups, Fetishism clearly lower in his mind.
The next article, "Political Program of the Partido Independiente de Color" clearly came from a more equality-driven perspective. The policy called for a Cuban identity regardless of race and religion. This document presented an impartial government in which citizens are protected and given the rights to free education.

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While reading Citizenship and Rights in the New Republic, I found it astonishing the level of determination people had to make their opinions on their rights and freedoms heard. As, the Declaration of Rights of a man and Citizen did not included woman or slaves. I do agree with the statement that “freedom and equality […] read full post >>