Seventh Blog

            In my opinion, getting the opportunity to watch the Urban Bush Women pieces was very cool.  Each piece told a story, which I found to be very interesting.  Each one was very different, but a lot of them related to each other. 

            The first video I watched was “Walking with Pearls- Southern Diaries.”  I found that many different dances were happening at once and each women played a different role in the entire piece.  All of the women were wearing the same color, which I thought was interesting because in the second video, “Walking with Pearls- African Diaries,” the women are in all different colors but doing a dance in unison, for the majority of the piece.  In “Walking with Pearls- Southern Diaries” a lot of stomping was involved.  In my opinion, it made the piece seem more powerful.  The next video I watched was “Cool, Baby Cool.”  The overall tone was much lighter because of the music that was being played.  The audience’s reactions were also light, there was a lot of laughter throughout the performance.  The Urban Bush Women piece, “Girlfriends,” was very different from the rest.  There was less dancing going on and there was no music or singing in the background.  Although each performance may be different, they all come together in a sense that they tell a story.

            After viewing these videos, I read “Memory Walking with Urban Bush Women’s Batty Moves.” I had searched “Batty Moves” on YouTube to watch the performance and I didn’t realize how precise everything was until I read the article on it.  A cymbal began the performance, which signaled the dancers to perform their movements.  A specific rhythmic break ended the first episode, but at the same cued the next section.  Each performer was able to share their own personal voice and movement, which I thought was very interesting and nice.  I knew that a story was related to each piece, but for them to be able to share it with the audience in a clear manor is even more engaging.  Caroline Garcia, one of the dancers, mentioned that they are able to just be themselves.  In addition, they reflect on memories of theirs, such as memories of ballet and modern dance classes when they were younger. 

            I feel that many people can relate to the style of dancing performed by the Urban Bush Women.  Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum, the author of “Memory Walking with Urban Bush Women’s Batty Moves” was inspired to read and learn about African American history and culture from slavery to present and about African American women’s issues and concerns after watching this piece.  I think that any women in history or in present time can relate to certain issues that are reflected in “Batty Moves.”  Even if one’s memories aren’t pleasant, it is amazing to see that they have a voice and are able to present their memories in expressive way.

Fifth Blog

            As a person who has a love for art, this week’s discussion on Mexican heritage, with quilt designs included, really caught my attention.  Personally, I feel that art is an amazing way for a person to express himself or herself and have an opportunity to tell a story about anything they desire.  Sometimes one’s story isn’t so great and is seen as more of a struggle.  “Ana’s Choice” by Patricia Zavella was a story that began as a struggle for Ana and José García.  They migrated without any authorization across the U.S. border to have a “better life,” with their toddler son.  Ana and José represent many immigrants who had similar struggles and experiences as them.  Immigration is also recognized as a feminist issue because more women than before are migrating to the U.S., especially from Mexico.  According to the reading, “Ana’s Choice,” women now make up 46 percent of authorized migrants from Mexico and about one-third of all unauthorized migrants.  Stories like these make me feel really fortunate for the life I have in the U.S.  Learning in this reading that women migrants, such as Ana, often have to separate from their children or other close family members when they come to the U.S. and live in constant fear that they could be deported is truly heartbreaking.  No one should have to feel so vulnerable on a regular basis; it seems like such a terrible situation.  In addition, unauthorized migrants and family members are also denied access to many important things, such as obtaining a driver’s license and receiving a college scholarship. 

            “Ana’s Choice” reminded me of a quilt called “Mexican Dream/American Dream” by Carmela Valdivia that was featured in this week’s guided activity.  I had never really observed the differences between the Mexican culture and the American culture until this past week.  In my opinion, Carmela Valdivia did a good job of contrasting the Mexican and American way of life in this quilt.  For example, the way that the houses are built and the land surrounding them are very different.  Carmela Valdivia also incorporates certain colors in each part of the quilt and they definitely reflect the two different lifestyles and create two separate tones.  In addition, in the American portion of the quilt, the children are playing along the side of the houses.  It appears that they are all together playing a sport.  On the other hand, the children in the Mexican portion of the quilt are busy at work.  It seems as though they do the same work as the adults.  It is such a shame that they are not given the same advantages as other children the same age as them.  Overall, the two cultures seem very different, but relate at the same time.  It appears that once a person crosses the boarder, although it may be a struggle, the U.S. is where they can live “the American Dream.”