When before the Congress of Angostura Bolívar proposes to shape nations by mixing the “diverse blood” of the new citizens (1819), he makes a double gesture. The new nations are conceived in racial terms and at the same time situate themselves, at least at the level of public discourse, beyond race and racialization. The mestizaje … More Revised
History shows that surviving cultures are not the ones that isolate themselves but are those that transform themselves according to changing circumstances. Even with this, even when this means abducting cultural limits from another society. Eventually all social structures are worn down and destroyed unless they consciously seek to engage with an emerging dominant culture … More A lecture in my MOOC
Notes on José Piedra, “Literary Whiteness and the Afro-Hispanic Difference,” part 2, and some strategies for reading critical essays: As you read, consider using a different color to highlight each of the following: → argument (logical inferences, grounds, warrants, examples) → new information → theoretical concepts What signals help you to identify these different threads … More A somewhat decent handout now, with help from Dame Eleanor
Starting at page 306. A. Grammar and the Hispanic Text. Nebrija’s formulated a “grammatical contract of servitude.” Slavery was apprentice citizenship and was teaching people how to be Hispanic. On paper, but not in practice, differences were minimized as alliances were maximized. Nebrija provided the New World with the justification for a cohesive Hispanic Text. … More Continuing to break Piedra down further for the students — and to “touch work” for me
When I was a child this album was new, and now it seems dated. Axé.
Al MOOC. Axé.
Use of PBS videos as course material. These are not college level. Discussion and study questions are not simply general, they are absurd. The most you can do with them is come to some half-reasonable generalization, when the point of a college level course would be to criticize such generalizations and move beyond them. Readings … More MOOC critique, so far
That is the professor. Discuss. Axé.
First, you practice German. He speaks very clearly. Axé.
Yesterday because of all these meetings and teaching related activities I touched work but did not write anything. Today it took me nine hours, nine, to edit and reformat my other article. I will touch work late tonight to keep up some form of rhythm. Tomorrow is house cleaning, errands, yard, and guests. I will … More Writing group goals have to be revised this week
coldhearted scientist وداد 