#BanningHistory: Reading From Cisneros' Classic THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET
In protest of the recent book banning and dismantling of the Mexican-American Studies program in the Tucson Unified School District, I've recorded myself reading from a book that conveys many of the feelings I experienced growing up a bicultural Latina. Incredulously, Sandra Cisneros' THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET, a book that explores Latino identity, community, family and poverty, is one of these books that's been banned. (To view a complete list, which includes Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST *you heard right*, follow this link.)
Please visit www.banninghistory.com to learn more about the book banning and to view readings by others, like my friend Bella Vida Letty, who reads from Laura Esquivel's LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, and where I contributed a poem entitled I WANT TO BE EDUCATED, when this news first broke.
Amiga! I LOVE this post! How awesome that in protest of the Arizona book ban you read part of the book. Now I have to buy the book because I want to find out what Esperanza wished for.... (plus I've always wanted to read it)
The banning of these books (like you mentioned) should be shared for students to read. Especially students who can relate or are searching for their identity or need to feel understood. Simply heart breaking that Arizona has such a ridiculous ban.
Seeing this heartfelt post really hit my heart heavy.
I too hope and pray this ban is removed! It has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard of.
I feel change coming to Arizona. It may not happen overnight, but it's coming. My heart breaks every time I read about this ban and think about how much this one book affected me as an adult woman. I don't see the rationale behind robbing youths of their cultural history. As if banning it will make it go away magically. We must know our history to have a better handle on the present and to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
If you have a minute, watch this segment on The Daily Show. It's satire, but delivers the point.
Thanks for passing the link along. I just watched it! I hope everyone in Arizona got a chance to watch it too! I love John Stewart, he always puts things into perspective. (well the clip did) At any rate, I totally agree. Aren't we suppose to LEARN from our past??? Terribly sad.
It's unbelievable, isn't it? Rosa Clark? They did "slave jobs." Burritos? WTH!? How could he draw conclusions about what was being taught without attending the classes himself? I'm glad you watched it, Amiga. The segment is an intelligent form of comedy relief that drives the point home. :)
Hola E, you are so beautiful and such a natural in front of the camera. You should vlog more. You have a natural talent for it. What a great job! And thank you so much for mentioning my post. You know how much issues like this one mean to me. Tony Diaz, the Librotraficante is doing wonderful work for this cause traveling the US bringing attention to this issue. Our collective voices also serve as a great example for the younger generations and hopefully inspire them to always speak up.
I read The House on Mango Street years ago and loved it. It's a shame that it's being banned. It's hard to believe that in 2012 there are still parts of this country banning books. It's disgusting.
I completely agree, Lisa. This book, especially. I recently read another book on the list that had some curse words in it that made it easier for me understand it getting banned from the lower grades (maybe), but this book has NOTHING offensive in it. It's a beautiful collection of vignettes that shines light on the innermost thoughts of a young girl confused by her emotions.
I loved your video! Maybe you can teach me some pointers. Sat on the recording for a while, partly due to my lack of technical know-how, but mainly because it felt odd putting a recorded image out there. You know? Y gracias for the kind words, Amiga. Sabes ... it took a dozen takes before I could get through reading it aloud without letting my emotions get the better of me. Didn't find THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET until my adulthood. Don't want to see our youth having to do the same. Un abrazote, Letty. Nos vemos. : D
Sandra Cisneros never "made" it to Uruguay (at least, not with the popularity she reached in the U.S., for obvious reasons). Yesterday, at #Latism12, I heard about her for the first time and this was the book I decided to buy. Ezzy, you surely inspired me to read it! Can't wait :)
Amiga! I LOVE this post! How awesome that in protest of the Arizona book ban you read part of the book. Now I have to buy the book because I want to find out what Esperanza wished for.... (plus I've always wanted to read it)
ReplyDeleteThe banning of these books (like you mentioned) should be shared for students to read. Especially students who can relate or are searching for their identity or need to feel understood. Simply heart breaking that Arizona has such a ridiculous ban.
Seeing this heartfelt post really hit my heart heavy.
I too hope and pray this ban is removed! It has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard of.
Oh (forgot to mention) how beautiful you are! Inside and out! <3 Abrazos!
ReplyDeleteAmiga, me da vergüenza. Gracias. Te mando un abrazote.
ReplyDeleteI feel change coming to Arizona. It may not happen overnight, but it's coming. My heart breaks every time I read about this ban and think about how much this one book affected me as an adult woman. I don't see the rationale behind robbing youths of their cultural history. As if banning it will make it go away magically. We must know our history to have a better handle on the present and to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a minute, watch this segment on The Daily Show. It's satire, but delivers the point.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tucson-school-board-daily-show-20120404,0,5593283.story
Thanks for passing the link along. I just watched it! I hope everyone in Arizona got a chance to watch it too! I love John Stewart, he always puts things into perspective. (well the clip did) At any rate, I totally agree. Aren't we suppose to LEARN from our past??? Terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteIt's unbelievable, isn't it? Rosa Clark? They did "slave jobs." Burritos? WTH!? How could he draw conclusions about what was being taught without attending the classes himself? I'm glad you watched it, Amiga. The segment is an intelligent form of comedy relief that drives the point home. :)
ReplyDeleteHola E, you are so beautiful and such a natural in front of the camera. You should vlog more. You have a natural talent for it. What a great job! And thank you so much for mentioning my post. You know how much issues like this one mean to me. Tony Diaz, the Librotraficante is doing wonderful work for this cause traveling the US bringing attention to this issue. Our collective voices also serve as a great example for the younger generations and hopefully inspire them to always speak up.
ReplyDeleteI read The House on Mango Street years ago and loved it. It's a shame that it's being banned. It's hard to believe that in 2012 there are still parts of this country banning books. It's disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Lisa. This book, especially. I recently read another book on the list that had some curse words in it that made it easier for me understand it getting banned from the lower grades (maybe), but this book has NOTHING offensive in it. It's a beautiful collection of vignettes that shines light on the innermost thoughts of a young girl confused by her emotions.
ReplyDeleteI loved your video! Maybe you can teach me some pointers. Sat on the recording for a while, partly due to my lack of technical know-how, but mainly because it felt odd putting a recorded image out there. You know? Y gracias for the kind words, Amiga. Sabes ... it took a dozen takes before I could get through reading it aloud without letting my emotions get the better of me. Didn't find THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET until my adulthood. Don't want to see our youth having to do the same. Un abrazote, Letty. Nos vemos. : D
ReplyDeleteSandra Cisneros never "made" it to Uruguay (at least, not with the popularity she reached in the U.S., for obvious reasons). Yesterday, at #Latism12, I heard about her for the first time and this was the book I decided to buy. Ezzy, you surely inspired me to read it! Can't wait :)
ReplyDelete