Make-Up Posts!

[Late Introductory Post - Week 2]

I realize this is a late introductory post but I just wanted to share a little about myself! My name is Karina and I am a senior. I moved into Muwekma over Winter Quarter after studying abroad in Santiago, Chile:) I just gotta say that living in Muwekma has been one of the best experiences here at Stanford. I lived in Casa Zapata for two years, but I must say Muwekma deserves its special place in my heart - the residents here are so welcoming and genuine! I love how everyone talks to each other like family - even though we all have distinct indigenous backgrounds. I consider myself to be Mexican-American, but I do have a strong connection to indigeneity because both of my parents are from Oaxaca, a southern state in Mexico with one of the highest number of indigenous people. Growing up, I always heard them communicate to each other in their native language - sadly I do not know how to speak it because they never taught me. We celebrate native traditions and honor certain values. It has always been hard for me to balance these two identities at Stanford but I think living at Muwekma and taking this seminar has given be a special opportunity to get closer to the Native community:)

[Make-Up Post - Week 3]

Being an indigenous Mexican-American has been a challenge in the sense that racism is certainly present. Mexicans always try to claim European roots because they do not want to associate themselves with having indigenous ancestry. Whenever I go back home to Washington I am always reminded that there is still tension within these two communities. In the area where I am from, there has been a steady rise in the number of indigenous Mexicans settling there for work. Most of them are from Oaxaca, Mexico and some do not even speak Spanish - they only know how to communicate in their native language. Among these immigrants are children who attend the local elementary school. They are often put at a disadvantage because they do not know the English language. It is also apparent how they separate themselves from other non-indigenous Mexicans who talk to them in a very condescending way because of their indigenous appearance. That is one thing that has always frustrated me because indigenous Mexicans are treated as “non-Mexican” even though they were the original settlers. I appreciate the fact that Muwekma, and this seminar, has provided me with the space to continue talking about these issues.