This week,reading about the rise of technology and largely the popularization of the radio as both an entertainment and a political tool I began thinking about the ethics of mass media. Technology moved incredibly quickly in the early 1900s and … Continue reading
This week,reading about the rise of technology and largely the popularization of the radio as both an entertainment and a political tool I began thinking about the ethics of mass media. Technology moved incredibly quickly in the early 1900s and … Continue reading
I found Eva Perón to be incredibly compelling as a leader and historical figure. In my history of Mexico class, we talk a lot about how within Mexico women were either seen as prostitutes or angels and there was very little space for them to occupy in between. Evita existed in a complex space where she had tremendous political capital and agency yet was constantly demeaned by sexual insults. Culturally, where machismo is very prevalent, women’s purity is of utmost importance. Sexually liberated women were seen as deviant and untrustworthy. Yet the distinction seems to be surrounding women in positions of political power. Carmen Miranda was celebrated for her sexuality yet had she tried to be in a position of power, I would find it likely that she would be berated for her loose image.
While I did find Eva Perón to be a compelling speaker, I was a little wary of her language use. She constantly frames herself as belonging to her husband. While I understand it was a tactic to delegate her power to him, I was a little taken back that such a strong female presence would position herself in this manner.
I thought that Dawson made a large flaw in his description of Eva Perón by waiting to mention that the people wanted her on the ticket at the very end. This seems to be hugely important in the history of Argentina, that citizens were eager and even angry to have her on the ballot. I also thought a lot about Necro Nationalism in relation to Evita. The constant transport of her body was at times disturbing, but also a reminder that she was symbolic. Her physical body and appearance were so integral to her identity that even after death they had to be preserved. The first time I actually heard of Eva Perón was when my mother showed me that an article recently published about her massive collection of shoes and clothes. It makes me question the standards women must upkeep in order to be symbols. Is physical beauty necessary? What about nice clothes and shoes? All of these aspects radically affect our perception of female leaders and figures.
I found Eva Perón to be incredibly compelling as a leader and historical figure. In my history of Mexico class, we talk a lot about how within Mexico women were either seen as prostitutes or angels and there was very little space for them to occupy in between. Evita existed in a complex space where she had tremendous political capital and agency yet was constantly demeaned by sexual insults. Culturally, where machismo is very prevalent, women’s purity is of utmost importance. Sexually liberated women were seen as deviant and untrustworthy. Yet the distinction seems to be surrounding women in positions of political power. Carmen Miranda was celebrated for her sexuality yet had she tried to be in a position of power, I would find it likely that she would be berated for her loose image.
While I did find Eva Perón to be a compelling speaker, I was a little wary of her language use. She constantly frames herself as belonging to her husband. While I understand it was a tactic to delegate her power to him, I was a little taken back that such a strong female presence would position herself in this manner.
I thought that Dawson made a large flaw in his description of Eva Perón by waiting to mention that the people wanted her on the ticket at the very end. This seems to be hugely important in the history of Argentina, that citizens were eager and even angry to have her on the ballot. I also thought a lot about Necro Nationalism in relation to Evita. The constant transport of her body was at times disturbing, but also a reminder that she was symbolic. Her physical body and appearance were so integral to her identity that even after death they had to be preserved. The first time I actually heard of Eva Perón was when my mother showed me that an article recently published about her massive collection of shoes and clothes. It makes me question the standards women must upkeep in order to be symbols. Is physical beauty necessary? What about nice clothes and shoes? All of these aspects radically affect our perception of female leaders and figures.
I found Eva Perón to be incredibly compelling as a leader and historical figure. In my history of Mexico class, we talk a lot about how within Mexico women were either seen as prostitutes or angels and there was very little space for them to occupy in…
This week’s reading focused heavily on the role of the media in Latin American politics from the 1920s to the 1950s. It focuses primarily on the influence of radio in three Latin American countries: Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. With my own modern viewpoint regarding the radio, it’s strange for me to think of it asContinue reading “Week 10: Power to the People”
This week opened my eyes to how big of an effect media can have on a community. The introduction of the radio connected people throughout all of Latin America in a way that had never happened before. People from the country and isolated communities were able to listen to the same things, and feel the […]
I thought that Dawson’s emphasis on the advent of radio being pivotal in Peronism to be on point. Without being able to broadcast her voice, Evita Peron would not have achieved the level of support she enjoyed. Interesting that she … Continue reading
One interesting aspect of this week’s chapter is the role of technology, especially when looked at in a wider context. Earlier in the semester, we read about how the telegraph, alongside barbed wire, railroads, and machine guns, ultimately found itself used as a tool of political repression. Although this is not the entire picture, we […]
video by Jacob Fischer Schmidt, Melissa Funes Fedosenko, Thalia Ramage, and Liz Vermunt
