Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Question 2
Note the times when Cofer explains rather than denies the basis for stereotyping. For instance, rather than deny that Latinas prefer vivid colors, she explains that this preference reflects the bright landscape of their homelands. Does this strategy work, or do you think Cofer is playing to the stereotype?
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The strategy of explaining why the stereotype came into existence gives backing to the fundamental reasons for why Latin American women dress the they way the do. As we all know, stereotypes are based in part in truth. And by her explaining the basis of it, she takes away the slight vulgarity of it. However, since she explains the stereotype and doesn’t disregard it, as many people do, she isn’t playing into the stereotype.
ReplyDeleteI think it probably does, especially since quite often there are reasons as to why a particular group of people feel a certain way about something, weather it be based on culture, education, heritage, or so on.
ReplyDeleteHer strategy is effective, it gives reason and a solid explanation for a stereotype. Like Sydney said, there is truth behind stereotypes because that's how they come about, so Cofer's explanation and acceptance of the stereotype is effective.
ReplyDeleteHer explanation for the media-engendered image of the Latina in the United States is effective because there is truth behind her explanation. I do not feel she is playing into the stereotype because she is not directly ignoring or contradicting it. She is merely providing evidence and removing some negative aspects of the stereotype.
ReplyDeleteI think Cofer plays to the stereotype because there are many situations where stereotypes represent reality. Stereotypes are often originally created for a reason so Cofer explains why these stereotypes were created. Cofer does this to explain how the representation of stereotypes for Latinas in today's society is often skewed in an unfavorable way.
ReplyDeletebecause there is truth within any stereo type fully explaining one can prove that using one cannot be fully derogatory. The assumption of the stereotype is admittedly likely, people with other experiences might not fit within their stereotypes for race or culture.
ReplyDeleteI believe that although Cofer is playing into the stereotype, it is within reason. Cofer is showing that stereotypes exist for a reason, because they are largely true. Although some stereotypes are seen as more derogatory than others, by explaining the reasoning behind them and her heritage she is able to give the reader more insight into stereotypes in modern society.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to just deny a stereotype and just say "that doesn't pertain to ALL [insert race here]. Explaining where the stereotype comes from actually teaches people about how these stereotypes have been created, and explains why some people have this particular stereotype.
ReplyDeleteCofer's explanations for stereotypes of Latina women were extremely effective. She played into them, but in a positive light by making the stereotypes seem more sensible and natural rather than negative and generalized.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do not understand is why it is such a bad thing for people to like bright colored clothing? Why do some people care about stereotypes so much? Although most people would say that I have very little to worry about considering I am a white, American male, there are lots of things people say about old, white males from a political stand point. I believe there is nothing wrong with races having different stereotypes and although some may be negative, we as a human race should not let them get to us for they are not all applicable. Cofer is most certainly playing into the stereotype, but that is not such a bad thing. Let people be who they want to be and if that means wearing bright colors, let them wear bright colors.
ReplyDeleteHaha there goes Mick ranting again. I agree with Mick. She plays into the stereotype, but she uses it effectively for her argument. By not denying it, she shows that she accepts it because it is true and uses it to her advantage to change the connotation of the stereotype. To be honest though, I don't really understand the question when it says "playing to the stereotype."
DeleteCofer does a great job of dismantling stereotypes. If she had claimed the stereotype of bright colors was false, she would immediately lose readers. Instead she acknowledges one aspect of the stereotype (that Puerto Rican American women do wear bright colors) and disproves the other aspect (that these colors signify being "sexy"). By explaining the stereotype instead of denying it, she forces the reader to think about other stereotypes they may hold.
ReplyDeleteI think that when Cofer explains the reason for stereotypes, the strategy works because it is nearly impossible to dispute that the reason Puerto Rican women wear so much color is because of the culture and lifestyle on the island. This gives Cofer substance and proof when she talks about why her life is/was so different as a Latina.
ReplyDeleteI think it is effective in revealing the truth behind the generally assumed stereotype while also giving insight as to why the stereotype developed in the first place. Instead of just denying it off the bat, she gives the readers a chance to understand why it isn't true in the sense that ALL Latinas wear vivid colors for ONE reason, she explains the difference.
ReplyDeleteLike Sydney said there is truth behind stereotypes, denying the stereotype would be foolish after all like Mick said sometimes a stereotype is not always a bad thing. If people stereotype Latina women for wearing bright clothing (I guess i could be wrong, i'm not Latina) but I don't see too much harm in that. Like she said it is part of her culture and she cannot deny her culture. Explaining herself corrects the false connotation that seemed to follow Latina's choice of clothing. I think her strategy works very well.
ReplyDeleteI think Cofer's strategy of explaining rather than denying the stereotypes is very effective. By explaining the stereotype, she is trying to remove the negative connotation behind the reasoning for her culture's way of doing things, such as wearing the types of clothes that they do. Denying the stereotype could make her seem as though she is not willing to accept her culture, and it could make her seem embarrassed of the true fact (that she admits) that many of the people of her culture wear certain things that generate a stereotype.
ReplyDeleteI find her approach refreshing, for it is very logical and based on helping people understand. Many people assume that stereotypes are true when they see a person or two who fits into that standard. However, she gets around this rational through explanation. She is showing that some of the Latinas simply still have a culture clash. However, I think that through her depiction one would see both that the negatives attached to the vivid colors are untrue and that because it is a culture difference, not all Latinas are this way because they are people and come from different backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteI think her method works pretty well. It helps show that she is being reasonable rather than straight up defensive.
ReplyDelete