Anzaldua's audience

[Anthony Werner]

During our class discussions on "Borderlands", the question has come up on numerous occasions, who is Anzaldua's target audience with this book. This book is not the standard philosophical texts that we have been reading throughout the course of this class, rather it is a collection of stories. By the same means, it also seems too philosophical and too thought provoking to be a story book or something for the general public to read. Some of the concepts are very in depth and seem to use very complex and confusing ideas. With this in mind, who do you think that Anzaldua is trying to speak to with her writing?

[kinnahanc]

I believe that Anzaldua is attempting to speak to anyone who needs a voice to listen to, as long as they are willing to commit to listening to exactly what she has to say. The target audience is obviously that of an older group considering the complicated and poetic language of the piece, but her ideas can speak to someone of any age if they are willing to open their ears. It seems that Anzaldua isn't merely writing for people to listen, but she is writing to reach out to people and possibly relate to their situations. 

[Katherine]

I believe that she is trying to speak to two separate audiences, one being those who do not understand the Borderlands. I have come to this conclusion because of her writing style. In the introduction and the first chapter alone, I got a sense that she was trying to alienate the audience in a way, showing us that we don't fully understand. Her descriptive style and her use of Spanish creates a schism between the reader and author, because we feel as if we are only understand half of the story. She is also providing a lot of historical context which allows us to gain some more background knowledge so that we may connect a bit more. In short, I believe that she is speaking to those who don't understand her, and based on the way she writes, I don't believe she thinks full comprehension of her world/ culture/ borders is possible. 

[godleskim]

I believe that Anzaldua is trying to show the fundamental differences between herself and her audience. Granted, not all those who read her book are from a predominantly English speaking culture, but in terms of our class, we are the audience because we don't understand. She is relaying a story, with historical background and cultural context, and is presenting it to those who don't understand  She is also clearly showing that there is a black between herself and us because of her use of sporadic Spanish.

[aropa]

It is in my opinion to believe that Anzaldúa’s writing style is actually an attempt to challenging the readers (us) to push against the limits of what we know about specific contexts and situations.  I think her writing gives a mere experience to the readers (us), what it is like to live both physically and linguistically in the ‘bordered’ world.  In addition, I believe that her works and writing style also shows and demonstrates the difficulties/complexities that come with understanding identity.

 

[xiey]

I think Anzaldua is not only speaks to people who lived in the borderlands or familiar with that kind of experience, but also people who do not understand the Borderlands and do not speak spanish at all. I, as part of the second group, felt that there is an intentional alienation when reading her book, especially those long paragraphs of spanish. I also gradually realized that this uncomfortable feeling is exactly how people living in the borderland might feel (although mine may be much weaker). I believe anyone who is willing to read this book is considered as audiences by Anzaldua.

[Aleasha Andrews]

I believe Anzaldua doesn't have a direct audience. I think that she is writing an account of her story in order to allow those who have been in her situation or have experienced the type of oppression she is going through to have a resource for understanding the philosophical debate with the subject of the borderland  I believe her experience is an account that can be reached by many audiences.

[iversonm]

I believe that Anzaldua's piece is a work that's meant to benefit not only her readers, but herself. In many ways, I think that her approach to the philosophical topics she wishes to address is a way of making sense of her life, and what it means to exist in a sort of spiritual and cultural borderland. Beyond this, I think the text functions as an access point for readers of other cultures to immerse themselves in Anzaldua's world, and to help them understand both the historical background of her people, as well as her own personal history. It stands triumphantly as an accessible, but continually thought provoking piece that offers deep insight into Anzaldua's world. 

[Tyler Manning]

Anzaldua's audience is split between the people familiar with the borderlands and those who aren't. Although her audience consists of polar opposites, I think she does a great job of capturing the attention of both. Anzaldua's descriptions and stories of her experiences with borders in her life show a vulnerable, honest and side of her that some can relate to while still challenging those unfamiliar with her struggles to explore the borders in society with her mentality and advice in mind.