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…
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.
The resonating theme for this week’s reading to me was ‘conflict’ – and it seems this has been the case for a great deal of the last few weeks’ readings. Conflict between Latin America and the encroaching imperialism of the … Continue reading →
Posted in Blogs, Week 8 | Tagged with conflict, Diaz, madero, Mexican Revolution, Mexico, modernisation, revoution, Villa, Zapata
The resonating theme for this week’s reading to me was ‘conflict’ – and it seems this has been the case for a great deal of the last few weeks’ readings. Conflict between Latin America and the encroaching imperialism of the … Continue reading →
Posted in Blogs, Week 8 | Tagged with conflict, Diaz, madero, Mexican Revolution, Mexico, modernisation, revoution, Villa, Zapata
To me, there was an especially interesting passage in this week’s reading: “When Porfírio Díaz changed his mind and won an obviously fixed election (notable for the fact that Madero was jailed before election and then exiled), middle-class optimism turned to rage.” What struck me wasn’t the middle-class rage, but what caused it. Here areContinue reading “Week 8: Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age”
Posted in Blogs, Week 8 | Tagged with Crisis, Mexican Revolution, Mexico, revolution, Sem categoria
Dawson’s definition of revolution is interesting. He states that “revolution is a claim of ownership on history” and “an attempt to shape a view of the past that organises power in the present” through inheritance or attributing meaning. Before the American Revolution, “revolution” was a much more literal word. Revolutionaries would want to “revolve” or […]
Posted in Blogs, Week 8 | Tagged with 20th century, Change, continuity, history, Mexico, Reform, revolution
Dawson’s definition of revolution is interesting. He states that “revolution is a claim of ownership on history” and “an attempt to shape a view of the past that organises power in the present” through inheritance or attributing meaning. Before the American Revolution, “revolution” was a much more literal word. Revolutionaries would want to “revolve” or […]
Posted in Blogs, Week 8 | Tagged with 20th century, Change, continuity, history, Mexico, Reform, revolution
During last week’s discussion, we learned about the beginning concept of modernity in Mexico, and briefly touched on the event of the Mexican Revolution. This week’s discussion, being a continuation of last week’s topic of modernity, introduced many more narratives of the Mexican Revolution besides Creelman’s. This week, we were able to explore the ideas […]
Posted in Blogs | Tagged with Mexican Revolution, Mexico, revolution, Villa, Zapata
Last week, the reading and our class discussion reviewed the positive outcomes and impressive national expansions throughout Latin America during the golden age of the export boom. The featured document, James Creelman’s interview with dictator Porfirio Diaz, presented a biased view of Diaz as a, “hero of the Americas”, and his unmorally successful modernization ofContinue reading “Week 8: The Mexican Revolution’s Full Picture; Elite and Rural Perspectives”
Posted in Blogs, Week 8 | Tagged with elites, Mexican Revolution, Mexico, perspective, revolution, rural
