Daniel Rivera
Gloria Anzaldua's, "La Conciencia de la Mestiza"
2 September 2012
Whether one is familiar with the work of Anzaldua or her involvement in any activist or Latin American movement of the century, a single chapter from her Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza will rattle the cage of one's perspective. Written in 1999, it is as true now as it was then; and her purpose to bring to light the struggle of a divided cultural identity holds its meaning. More importantly, the embracing of a new consciousness, a new unity and a developing vision are what Anzaldua passionately writes about.
The chapter "Towards a New Consciousness" begins with a reference to Mexican author and philosopher Jose Vasconcelos; the perception of a fifth race, standing proud embracing the four major races of the world; a "cosmic race". From the "confluence of two or more genetic streams, she explains, comes a new "mestiza consciousness", which faces the struggle of the border not only physical, but racial, cultural, biological and ideological. Through very vivid imagery and metaphorical diction, Anzaldua describes the pain and struggle of living divided in ambiguity of identity. She elaborates that overcoming this border is a liberation, but not a way of life. She writes that a mestiza must juggle in balance different cultures and be flexible to survive the different perspectives of a duality. She introduces what she coins the "mestiza consciousness", and the important effects of embracing it. It is the end of a dualistic thinking, and the step to an embracing of wholeness that can lead to an "uprooting" in the individual and a collective consciousness that could end all violences. She adds that through this consciousness, she is participating in the creation of another culture, a new system that connects all to everything and one. If it is not yet clear, this chapter is the work of a highly awakened spirit, grounded in the things of utmost importance as writers, as advocates of change, and as hopeful human beings taking responsibility.
Embracing a mestiza consciousness, Anzaldua claims, helps one deal with the issues of society and the economy at hand that oppress certain groups in the U.S. Embracing the consciousness leads to an understanding of the history of the struggle of the people, it leads to an acknowledgement of a heritage of resistance, and it allows the collective to rise as one. It is the embracing of a responsibility that lies within every single person, to speak of a vision and to make it come true. Socioeconomic issues like poverty, the downgrade of women, the lack of dignity in the people, all the things that keep the people bound can be alleviated, Anzaldua writes, by embracing this new consciousness.
The author has indeed done a study; one that delves deep within the oneness of self. She has explored her consciousness and her identity, in search of a balance and a new consciousness, that she has identified thoroughly what her beliefs lead her to. She is attaining, through an overcoming of ambiguity and struggle, a new sense of self that she implores the reader to embrace as well and take pride in, but also to take responsibly. She shows the reader, through example, that a firm, well-grounded foundation in different cultures lead to a new identity, with the best from all cultures. When she speaks of her travels, the social status of her people, the return to her childhood land, the house material and the way of life; these things are just as valid as any survey she could have done, or any study she could have conducted. Because in returning to her childhood town and returning to her people, the experience provide a concrete grounding in her beliefs that solidify her claims. What she learns from her "study" is the finding of this new consciousness, this balance in identity, a solace and clarity that liberates her from all ambiguity.
Anzaldua's writing is very passionate and clear. She is a strong-minded woman that speaks, and writes with a fire of intent that moves. Her writing truly goes beyond the mestiza or feminine movement; it is holistic and it is humane. She speaks of overcoming the duality that binds the people's way of thinking, she acknowledges continual creative motion and a revolution of the established paradigm. She speaks of the importance of the tenderness of a woman, not to be confused for weakness, nor taken for granted. She speaks of healing and an end to violence, war, and rape from a change within. She implores the sense of One, and most importantly, she strives for a vision of a collective consciousness rising. Without a doubt, this is the work of a woman who has achieved understanding of highly significant things in life, at a necessary level for change, and for a new consciousness.
