Overcoming the border

[johnsond]

As we are nearing the end of the class as well as the end of the work of Anzaldua, I'd like move our inquiry to a more comprehensive discussion. First, the definition of borders I have come to understand reflects on the inner struggles of all individuals to develop themselves with respect to multiple options of existence. Many of our past readings have emphasized the need for one to attempt to understand those who are different than he or she does. With this in mind, how can we (or anybody for that matter) possibly develop an understanding of a people's culture that is alien to our original understanding, such as those people in the Rio Grande River Valley? Similarly, we all have our own borders and must either overcome them and reconcile with them. In terms of living ethically in a community, how do we overcome our own borders? Should we develop an understanding of all people's borders or should we simply remedy the situation with an awareness that all people have their borders?In short, how do we treat the borders among people created by borders themselves? 

[kinnahanc]

Within society there are borders within borders on many different levels. It is up to everyone individually whether they want to take the time to understand others. However, I believe that in order to fully live ethically in a community, everyone must claim the responsibility of considering others, where they came from, and why they are the way they are. It is unfortunate that today physical borders create social borders between people, but since there is nothing we can change about the physical borders, we must examine the social ones. 

[xiey]

I think the enhanced understanding of a people's culture that is alien to our original understanding depends on both individual consciousness and society's consciousness. First individuals have to realize and accept this need for development, and then the society should hold a strong enough base for that kind of enhancement to happen.

In terms of overcoming our own borders, I believe we should start from being open to different kinds of situations, and learn to choose our own path based on a comprehensive understanding about people, society and the world. Since the border has already existed, the best thing we can do is to face it, understand it, and being objective about it.

[Katherine]

Unless you are directly placed within a situation, such as living in the Borderlands, you will never fully understand the impact or the struggle that they face. You may hear stories, thoughts or commentary from those who are placed within those situations, but because you have never experienced it- it is significantly harder to develop an appreciation for what they are going through. We overcome our own borders by understanding them, developing them, processing them and then finally making a decision. We must understand what a border is, what our personal borders are and then also what we wish to identify as, or how we wish to deal with our personal borders. We should develop and understanding not of everyone's borders (as I believe that to be utterly impossible and invasive) but rather we must understand that everyone is defined (possibly confined) by some sort of border. 

[godleskim]

Everyone has borders, or limitations, that they face on a day to day basis. However, not everyone experiences the same things. So although we are able to understand the idea of being held back by borders, I don't believe that we are able to understand her borders unless we were directly placed in the situation, and growing up in that lifestyle. It relates to the idea of double consciousness, and fully understanding a person or an experience, and whether or not this is possible unless you actually live to experience.

[Katherine]

[aropa]

This is clearly one of the several major theme in this text is the idea of one-self and others within society. Anzaldúa spends a great amount of time trying to get at how we make up who we are, and if that fits in with the make-up of others around us. Interestingly, I think she, at least in my opinion, has made a strong connection to self when she discussed the mirror metaphor on page 64 of text, for example. Moreover, she talked about it in terms of how the mirror gives us the ability to see and to be seen, thus allowing for us to reflect within ourselves to find our souls (self-actualization)—questioning why we are the way we are,  Is the state of being our true self? And what connection do we have with respect to others in our communities. 

 

[hollandb]

The best way for our community to live ethically is for society to take time to understand people's multiple identifications and the borders that exist.  But, the real struggle is getting society spend time doing so.  The reason borders are created and individuals have trouble identifying themselves due to the borders is because we simply do not take the initiative to understand individuals that do not fit the mold.  In the case of the borders, we create two ways an individual can be (Ex. Male/Female) and if they fail to identify with either side we just ignore them as outcasts.  The power to create a more ethical community lays in our hands but we have not shown quite the desire needed to create one.

[Aleasha Andrews]

I believe although we should be open minded about people boarder, I don't think that we need to learn or engage ourselves into them. I feel the most ethical solution would be to just give everyone you meet subjectivity. No one should feel as though they are an object in society. Also, we do need to understand our place in society, but we shouldn't allow that "place" to exclude us from experience of other cultures or oppression of that person because of where they are placed. If we allow ourselves to be accepting and treat everyone we meet no matter their boarder, I believe that we can begin to develop a more ethical community

[iversonm]

I feel that the best course of action is not to attempt to overcome borders, but to understand them. The borders Anzaldua discusses, and the other borders that have developed within our society are the result of years of complex cultural developments, and cannot be simply eliminated. The border cultures of our nation are something unique and intriguing that we should attempt to understand and celebrate. This is much the same conclusion we have come to in our readings of most of the other texts throughout the course, and I believe it holds true here as well. The best way we can attempt to live ethically in our communities is through a deep, mutual understanding of individual cultures and practices, and by perpetuating a deep sense of respect for others.

[Tyler Manning]

As Anzaldua discusses the borders she faces in relation to her gender identity in chapter two, she depicts the border itself as "an absolute despot of duality". This phrase describes the norms in society that prevent people like herself from embracing both the masculine and feminine aspects of their gender. Anzaldua goes on to criticize society with what I believe is a key quote in understanding and dealing with borders: "It claims that human nature is limited and cannot evolve into something better." (41) I believe that people must come to understand and appreciate others in an attempt to confront the borders and evolve their viewpoints to become more accepting. Although borders will always exist in human interaction, it is imperative that we familiarize ourselves with the borders themselves as well as the people on both sides.