AFRAM Blog Post #4

My identity as a cis-gender, Asian American woman oftentimes limits me to certain stereotypes and assumptions by others. I've personally felt as if I was "put in a box" where I'm supposed to act a certain way, talk in a specific manner, date only within my race, obtain a career associated with being Asian American such as a doctor, lawyer, etc. People label others without a second thought, and the consequences and harm that comes from it are immense. Gloria Anzaldua's poem, "To Live in the Borderlands", lists out words someone of mixed race might be called such as "mulata" and "mestiza". These labels are offensive and suggest the power of titles. Anzaldua expresses her belief that one cannot live by a single identity. We human beings are more complex than one narrow identity and we hold multiple truths for our individual selves. Furthermore, her decision to switch from English to Spanish randomly highlights the point that one can exist between two, if not multiple, cultures and still stay true to their authentic self.

Ludwig Hurtado's article, "Country Music Is Also Mexican Music", also emphasizes the importance of inclusive language and spaces. Society has collectively coined country music as a genre specifically for White folks despite country music's origins being "far from White" (Hurtado). This perceived Whiteness is merely a construction set to exclude certain groups from an entire music genre and further divide Black and White America. This nationalist ideology shuns Mexican Americans from enjoying and engaging with country music even though this genre wouldn't have existed without an enmeshment of borders. 

The two songs I have chosen include:

1. "Sit Still, Look Pretty" by Daya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdymkbLAuAk

2. "Let Me Be Myself" by 3 Doors Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmDYbiyMHvo

Both songs talk about their frustration with society's cultural conditioning and expectations. These artists empower themselves and others around them by showing up as their authentic selves and speaking their truth.