reaction of Girl

Reaction of Girl

                When I was reading “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid I was thinking about the oppression that “that girl” was having or was suffering. She didn’t have the freedom to choose what to become or how to act. I felt very lucky because I have freedom to choose whatever I want to be and how I’m I going to act. Yes I have family and yes thanks to good I have an amazing mother that teach me, guides me and most important shows me the right path but she give me freedom to make any decision that I believe its truly what I want and what its best for me.  

Reaction of "Girl"

While I was reading "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid my mind was in a place completely different to our home now in the present. The girl was being treated like a slut by her mom who had an ideology of "women can be sluts, women can be wrong, women are the one's who can provocate a man". And in all the poem I felt the disagreement of the author with the mother orders and it also was pretty obvious that the girl thought very different from the others... She was different. And I really liked the poem because it was an unique poem where you have to think out of the box and find the real message of it.

Reaction about "Girl" by Jamaica Kaid - CARLOS I. RIVERA

The reading "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid is strong. In my opinion, this text wants to convey a message to women as well as mothers and daughters. The text, initially reveals what are the stereotypes of women with the clothes you wear and the people that must be passed. The main voice of this text is a mother speaking to her daughter as they should behave. The mother is rude and insensitive to the expressions that tells his daughter. Her mother insists that there is only one form and way of doing things and that there is only a behavior that his daughter should follow. This text struck me and I will share this reading to other people to reflect on how we treat our children.

Serving In Silence Questions

Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story

The true story of a decorated officer's legal challenge to her involuntary discharge when she admitted she was homosexual.

1. Describe these reactions:

A. Military

To Margarethe, her job was everything. She spend her life fighting and working hard at the military because that was her passion. She wanted to be successful and she was indeed, every day she worked harder to be better as a nurse and as a professional. As a new goal she applied to a position in the National Guard but at an interview she told about her sexual preference: lesbian. And for them that was against the law and the politics of the USA Military. Al though she was an incredible person with major achievements and professional history after a case in the civil court they gave her a military ‘’honorable discharge’’ because of her sexual orientation.

B. Father 

The father of Margarethe never gave his children a hug because he was afraid of them becoming gay because of that. But her only girl was a lesbian. He was against of Margarethe telling everybody the truth because that would end her hard work. He was sort of ashamed of her daughter position but at the end he felt wrong of his past treatments and decisions to his children.

C. Children Each Son (s)
When she tell that she is a lesbian her sons already know, because is what their father told, and they accept her, at first was hard knowing the truth but with time each one of them learn how to deal with it and they even move in to her house. They support her.

2. Margarethe's decision to tell

A. the military 
When she tells to the military at first they said to her that she can said that everything was a lie and retract her and when refused they take it very serious and they decided to discharge her.

B. her children 

Margarethe was nervous and did not want to tell their children of their homosexuality. But she decided to tell the truth about his sexual preference to their children when they were watching TV. Some of them took it in good way and one of his sons were too upset and left the house. However, one of his sons told her they already knew.

C. her father 

Margarethe told her father about her homosexuality through a letter. However, her father never accepted her decision to be a lesbian and claimed that she did not tell the truth to military.


3. OPINIONS: What is your reaction to this true story? Do you believe that she should have kept her secret or told it to everyone? Explain your reasons why.

Andrea: It was very shocking to see how people can discriminate o judge other people who think different or has other tastes. Is really embarrassing seeing people doing or saying things that can hurt someone just because they think out of the box. And I think that all humans must understand that the diversity is the most precious thing that we have and that made us all unique and special. People shouldn’t be afraid of ashamed of telling who they are, they should be proud and feel special of their own but if the society doesn’t help them to feel comfortable they can’t do it.  Because of this, I believe that Margarethe did the right thing: told her secret was an example of a person who thinks different and deserves a better treat from others, she made history, become a sign of braveness and gave a lesson to many people about being honest and proud of their selves.

Carlos: My reaction to this true story was impressive. I was totally surprised with Margarethe Cammermeyer's courage to face all those who disagreed with her decision and accept her sexual preference to be a lesbian. Beside this, to be a true story strikes me too because it is impossible to think a woman had to go through these terrible experiences. Personally, I think she did the right thing by telling everyone the truth about his sexual preference. I understand that telling the truth make us free. God is love and we must love freely to whom we please and make us happy. We must not hide our feelings. When people understand homosexuality is not bad, is when the world will change positively.  

Dorimar: This story seems to me a very inspiring because Margarethe struggle to change a sistem and that is really impressive I think she did the right thing in telling everyone.  She did not have to hide what she felt. Even If the society has problem with that. If society cannot accept her truth then it is not her who needs to change, it is society who needs a change.

Patria: This true story really impacted me because it represent the prejudge against homosexuals in our society. It's really sad that people like Margarethe, with a high potential to perform a good job, be dismissed because their sexual preference. I was totally agree with Margarethe's decision to tell the truth. She was honest about her sexuality and sure about who is she.  

Marilliam: I love the movie and the story really touch me because it’s a reality that were living right now and since longtime. I’m not I don’t believe that she should have kept her secret, I think that she did what was best, tell the truth about herself. She didn’t made any damage to anyone so I’m not agree with the decision of the army and think if I were in her place I would made the same as her, I would told the true because I think that being always sincere with yourself and never hide or pretend to be something that your not it’s important in everyone’s life.

4. How would Dr. Kinsey explain the Margarethe Cammermeyer's sexuality?
She is a mother of 4 boys so how can she be lesbian? Is it her choice? 

Dr. Kinsey would explain the Margarethe Cammermeyer's sexuality saying that sexuality that there are different degrees of sexual behaviors. Which they are classified on the Kinsey scale. This scale goes from 0-7, where zero is completely heterosexual and 6 completely homosexual. And bisexuality is the most balanced state.

6.What does Margarethe believe about her sexuality as it relates to her identity?

Margarethe believe that her sexuality is part of her identity. Although she was married once and is a mother, what makes her a lesbian is her feelings and emotions. She's so sure about her identity that she doesn't care about losing her dream job. She refuse to lie about her sexuality.  

My reaction of "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

When I first read “Girl” by Jamaica Kinkaid, I initially interpreted it as description of how women must be in society, and how easy it is to be portrayed as a “slut”.  This coming from my own cultural views where if a girl wore a particular type of clothing, said the wrong thing, or even seen with the wrong people she would be considered a slut. The main voice of this narrative was the mother, giving her daughter “the talk” about how to behave and what to expect in womanhood.  In fact, the punctuation makes the mother's voice sounds rushed and the rude language of the mother stresses how important it is for the girl to do the task a specific way and behave in a certain matter. 

Reflection about the Literary Contest of Spanish Language by Carlos Rivera

On May 15 took place a literary competition in the Spanish language in the Amphitheatre # 4 of General Studies at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. This activity was conducted by the department of Spanish. After the welcome, the event was full of emotions and feelings. This activity was dedicated to the life of the great writer and teacher, Emilio Diaz Varcarcel. They began the tribute to Emilio with his biography and important photos through his life as a teacher. At the end of the biography of Emilio Diaz Valcarcel, the conductors called Emilio's family to go on stage to give some gifts. Undoubtedly, one of the most special moments was the widow of Emilio began to mourn and everyone stood up and started clapping the memory of this great writer.

The activity was ongoing and the place was filled more and more by students and teachers. The activity was very happy because it was a gala awards for students who competed in the category of short stories, essays and novels. There were many winners and that motivated everyone in the activity. One of the best things that happened was when a Spanish teacher shouted for joy because his students won the top prize in the category of story. In addition, a summary of each story of each winner was presented and the conductors called the winning student to pass the stage to collect his prize. There were many smiles from the winning students because reflected his effort.

The activity ended with an artistic presentation of some troubadours girls. This part was very cheerful because the songs that sang are of Puerto Rico and everyone started clapping while singing. The girls were accompanied by professional musicians from the University of Puerto Rico in different instruments like guitar, bongos and maracas. The most emotional moment was when one of the girls who was singing took the flag of Puerto Rico and all began to applaud. I was proud of my beautiful banner. Anyway, this activity of Spanish department was unique and unforgettable as it could give honor to the memory of a great writer, we had the pleasure to see the winners of literary competition and see the girls troubadours singing patriotic songs. This to me was something special.

With this competition of literature I could conclude that literature is a world where we can express what we want. It is through writing that can open roads. It is with literature and writing that we can win, learn from our culture and support our things.

Some photos:

Interpretation of "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

Interpretation of "Girl" quotes.

1. "soak your little clothes"
Clothes need to be clean all the time because it have a relationship to physical appearances to others. A person’s clothing reveals much about character and personality, and if they are dirty implies laziness and poverty. Washing allow women not only to project their status to the society, but also their productivity and self-worth.

2. "always eat your food so it won't turn someone else's stomach"
They live in a poor community and isn't good to eat food in a explicit way, because it would make neighbors more hungry. Isn't good to show food in front of others who are starving. The mother are trying to show her daughter how to behave, to be humble and grateful with the things they have.

3. "you mustn't speak to wharf-rat boys"

Refers to homeless people who are outside of the society and nobody cares about them. Because of that the mother want the girl to stay away from them because it could be seem "ugly" or not proper to talk with that "kind of person". 

4. "the slut you are so bent on becoming..."
It can be that the girl is being and acting different towards the society expectations and the mother calls her a slut or maybe she is acting normal but the mother do it to scare her and make her a "proper lady" because the mom ideology is that a woman can act wrong, a man never. 

5. "this is how to smile at someone you don't like"
The mother tells the girl how to behave in different situations, including how to talk with people she doesn’t like. Maybe the author means with this that your supposed to act or do things sometimes even though you don’t want to do it, in life there’s situations that we need something and maybe the easy way to get it surrender ourselves with people that we don’t like but they have all what we want so we pretend that we like them just to get what we want.

6. "this is how to behave..."

The mother isn’t giving advices to her daughter, she is telling her how to live, how she is supposed to live. Her mother is giving her instructions of how to make everything in life but not in a good kind of way. 

7. "medicine to throw away a child"
With this line, the mother is saying to her daughter that exist a way to abort an unwanted pregnancy.


8. "...it might not be a black bird at all..."
With this phrase which is trying to say is you have to be careful because maybe everything you've been taught is a lie.

9. What gender scripts were you taught as a child? Explain with a phrase or quotation you heard.
Patria:"Dolls are for girls, cars for boys"
Marilliam: "Seat like a lady"
Andrea: "Boys don't cry"
Carlos: "Boys with boys and girls with girls."
Dorimar: "Women are from the house and men are from the street"

10. What are some sayings about women/girls in your culture?

In a society where there male chauvinism can hear countless sayings that desprestician the value of women and girls. Apart from sexist comments, I personally live in a culture where Puerto Rican women unpleasant things to say. One of those sayings are: "God created man first ... and seeing so much perfection, he created a maid”, "If you know not cook, you'll never get a boyfriend", "A virgin woman is worthless" or "If you do not have sex when you turn fifteen you're a loser ". These sayings and many more, make a deteriorated society.