This week you have two options for our class discussion. Pick the topic, read/watch the information, then post your initial response to the discussion prompt (note: you won’t be able to see anyone else’s posts until you submit yours). Make sure to clearly mention which topic you picked in your subject line. You can reply to anyone’s posts even if it is not the topic you selected.
Immigration
After reading the four short articles, Mexican Americans and Immigrant Incorporation Download Mexican Americans and Immigrant Incorporation, What Different Generations of Mexican Americans Think About Immigration from Mexico Download What Different Generations of Mexican Americans Think About Immigration from Mexico, English Only Download English Only, and Mexican Assimilation in the United States Download Mexican Assimilation in the United States, let’s talk about the impact of immigration and assimilation on Mexican Americans. What did you learn from the readings/module information, did you gain any insights on the challenges of assimilation? What role does language play in the process of assimilation? Make sure to directly quote from at least two of the articles in response
OR
Food & Culture
Symbols are important tools in the homemaking process. It is by active use and repetition of symbols that the home cook is able to transmit culture and culinary practices. Symbol meanings construct and are constructed by individual and collective identities. A central symbol employed for this purpose for Mexican American home cooks is food. Food is used to enculturate not only tastes but cultural components as well. The home cook is an active agent in this process. Foods selected for this purpose are meant to structure foodways (Links to an external site.) that solidify aspects of personal and collective identities. (Anderson, 2005. 129) -from Mexican American Home Kitchens Download Mexican American Home Kitchens
Food is an integral part of culture. All three of the articles discuss the perception of Mexican food in America. What is your experience with Mexican American cuisine? Is it more “Tex-Mex”? Or “traditional”? Do you predominately eat it at home or in a restaurant? Is there a cultural context to your experience? What would be your favorite meal? How does food represent who we are (think ingredients, preparation, seasonings, presentation, etc.)?
