Notes on The Myth of the Latin Woman PDF

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In a well-constructed 5-6 paragraph essay, respond to comprehensive questions pertaining to the story of “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I just met a Girl Named Maria.” Pick ONE question 1. Are you in agreement with Judith Ortiz Cofer’s stance (viewpoint/attitude) on the stereotype of Latin American Women in our society? Provide concrete reasons as to why you are in agreement or as to why you disagree with Cofer’s position.

2. How does “the Island” t ravel with the Latina Characters in Cofer’s tale? Provide concrete reasons as to why you are in agreement or as to why you disagree with Cofer’s position.

part of intro- two different inner struggles. The first struggle Cofer faces is admitting to finding her true self whether it's to fit in or to stay with her culture. The second struggle Cofer faces is admitting to what she sees what society thinks of her because of stereotyping, but she knows who she really is. -For instance, Cofer explains that the American and Puerto Rican women dress up differently.

The American women dresses up more modern and dull, while the Puerto Rican women dress up more excitingly and vibrantly. I believe there are still stereotypes of Puerto Rican and other colored women in today’s society. In addition to that, I also believe there’s a divide between colored women, meaning there are still some women who are treated fairly and others who aren’t. In the short story, Cofer brings up many different types of encounters to prove that there’s a divide among the womens’ in society. According to Cofer, the stereotype of Latin women was created by the media. The Latin women were often known as the uneducated people, low paying jobs, and known for mispronouncing a

lot of English words. I believe that Cofer thinks that the media and the interpretation of the Latin women are relatively responsible for the lack of opportunities for social strength of Latin women.

Quote 1 ●

Pg 76, "Thinking (foolish me) that she wanted me to autograph a copy of my brand-new slender volume of verse, I went over. She ordered a cup of coffee from me, assuming that i was the waitress." In the first example, Cofer explains an incident that happened at her public poetry reading; the readers feel remorse for her because someone is assuming that since she is a Latina, she is a waitress and not capable of being a poet.

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She tells a story about her first public poetry reading. An older woman who called for her for a cup of coffee thinking that she was a waiteress. She states that she was one of the "lucky ones" who receive an education. However, there are still many Latino and Hispanic women who still struggle with the misconceptions and stereotypes. Cofer's goal as writer is replace the old stereotype with "much more interesting set of realities". She hopes that she change the perspective of her audience and get them to look past the stereotypes.

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Cofer continues to reveal the "myth of the Latino woman" as being the menial housemaid or domestic by going on to share, how when at a speaking engagement she was confused by one of the attendees as one of the service staff. She was the featured speaker and the woman who had called upon her for a cup of coffee would soon find herself plagued by her stereotypical presumptions. Cofer recognizes this person didn't intentionally "profile" her, however, she admitted this would be an obstacle that she would have to continue to overcome.

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Cofer demonstrates another stereotype of Latino women as menial housemaid or domestic worker. She tells a story about her first public poetry reading. An older woman who called for her for a cup of coffee thinking that she was a waiteress. She states that she was one of the "lucky ones" who receive an education. However, there are still many Latino and Hispanic women who still struggle with the misconceptions and stereotypes. Cofer's goal as writer is replace the old stereotype with "much more interesting set of

realities". She hopes that she change the perspective of her audience and get them to look past the stereotypes.

Quote 2- dresses up

When Cofer is confronted with a career day at school and is faced with the challenge of deciding what is appropriate to wear. She states her expression of clothing could promote the cultural chasm that she faces. Stating "that it became quickly obvious that to the Puerto Rican girls 'dressing up' meant wearing their mother's ornate jewelry and clothing" (231-232). Cofer expresses how she agonized over her choice of clothing for career day. She states she decides to wear a composite of her cultural experiences, and her view of what a career woman would wear; as she had few role models other than Latino females. She confides how years later she was informed by a friend (an Italian American) at the business school she was attending the Latino girls stood out for wearing "everything at once" (232). With this example, Cofer shows that there is a cultural clash due to that the dress of Latino females differ drastically from the mainstream culture. Cofer gives an example that she as well as Puerto Rican women dress up as if they weren't going to have another chance to show off what they have. Cofer puts it as “ wearing to much jewelry, too many accessories.” Many who are not from that culture see, young ladies who dress indecent, who from time to time seem “hopeless”. They stand out from everyone else. - "Mixed cultural signals have perpetuated certain stereotypes -- for example, that of the Hispanic woman as the "Hot Tamale" or sexual firebrand." (Cofer 6) - This quote shows how skin color has a whole other meaning than just part of what you look like.

Conclusion -Judith Ortiz Cofer shares her life story to reflect upon prejudices faced by Latino people and how she succeeded in overcoming these stereotypes in order to inspire these who share the same struggles.

Source 1 -

In "The Myth of a Latin Woman" Judith Ortiz Cofer describes her life in America as a Puerto Rican immigrant. She talks about her struggles to fit in, the differences between Puerto Rican and American cultures, and also how their traditions differ.

Differences Cofer explains Americans: ● dress dull and modern Puerto Ricans ● dress exciting and vibrantly She also talks about how Puerto Ricans are stereotypically portrayed in American movies.

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Cofer shows the reader that even though you deal with struggles in your life, you can always overcome and become successful. Man vs. self : She struggles with finding her true self. She doesn't know whether to fit in, or stay within her culture. - Man vs. Society: She sees what society thinks she is because of stereotypes, but she knows who she really is. I agree with this article. Americans are so one-sided, and fail to see outside of what they read in textbooks. They automatically assign a stereotype to everyone. This article also shows that you can overcome any setback in your life and become successful.

Source 2 -

Summary: In the essay, "The myth of the Latin Woman: I Just met a girl named Maria" Judith Ortiz Cofer expresses her opinion on the stereotypes that Latino and Hispanic women deal with everyday. She recounts the memories of her life when she encounter the stereotypes. As a child, she was taught "how to behave as a proper senorita" and dress by her mother. However, she was conflicted about what would be appropriate to wear for career day at school. Cofer gives another example of the cultural stereotype of the Latino and Hispanic woman as sexually expressive. She states that the heritage of Latino women bolster the expression without fault. Mothers who grew in Puerto Rico are allow to express themselves freely with a safety net of a cultural understanding. Because of this stereotype, Latino women are often sexually harassed. Cofer gives an example of when she crosses paths with such bias while staying in a "classy metropolitan hotel". She encounters a gentleman in a tuxedo who sing a crude version of the song "La Bamba" about a woman named Maria and her sexual exploits. Cofer demonstrates another stereotype of Latino women as menial housemaid or domestic worker. She tells a story about her first public poetry reading. An older woman who called for her for a cup of coffee thinking that she was a waiteress. She states that she was one of the "lucky ones" who receive an education. However, there are still many Latino and Hispanic women who still struggle with the misconceptions and stereotypes. Cofer's goal as writer is replace the old stereotype with "much more interesting set of realities". She hopes that she change the perspective of her audience and get them to look past the stereotypes.

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Quotes 1: "I thought you Latin girls were suppose to mature early" The boy that Cofer danced with believed Latina girls are more suppose to be more sexually mature. This quote reveals that Latino and Hispanic woman often face cultural stereotype. They are viewed as sexually expressive. Cofer states that Latino woman are often sexually harassed because of these stereotypes. She give another great example of this during her stay in "a very classy metropolitan hotel" with her colleague. A middle-aged, educated gentleman in a tuxedo who sang crude song similar to La Bamba except the lyrics were about a girl named Maria and her sexually exploits. Quote 2: "you can leave the Island, master the English language, and travel las you can, but if you are a Latina, especially one like me who so obviously belongs to Rita Moreno's gene pool, the Island travels with you" - She means that stereotypes will stay with you no matter what you do to fit in with society. The media enforce the idea of that Latino women working at menial jobs. They can only work domestic, waitress, and factory jobs because their limited skills and poor English. Cofer has great example of this situation. The incident took place during her public poetry reading at Miami. An older woman motioned Cofer to her table. Cofer thought that the woman wanted an autograph, but instead the older woman tried a coffee from her thinking she was a waiter.

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Why was it hard to Cofer to fit in with her American friends? - She would dress inappropriately to certain occassions because dress were the only clothes that she had in her closet. The lesson her mother taught her on "how to behave as a proper senorita" often conflict with views of her friends and their mothers. They thought that the way Cofer dressed and acted was too mature for her age.

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What is the stereotype that Cofer refer to in her essay? - A stereotype that Latina face is their sexuality. They are often to as the "Hot Tamale". Media often use "sizzling" and "smoldering" as the adjectives to describe women of Latino and Hispanic women. Because of this stereotype, they face sexual harassment. Cofer often heard about the harassment that Puerto Rican women endured while working in factories. Their boss would talk in sexual innuendos and force women to accept their advances or be fired.

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What is another stereotype that Latina women face? - Another stereotype that Latina women are good at performing menial jobs. The truth is that these women have limited skills and poor English so the job that is available to them are domestics and factory jobs. According to Cofer, the stereotype of "Hispanic menial" was created by the media. Latina women are often portrayed as housemaid who mispronounced word and cooking a lot. She believes that media and the portrayals of Latina women are partially responsible for the lack of opportunities for social mobility of Latina women.

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What is Cofer's goal with this essay? - Her personal goal is to try to replace the stereotypes and myths about Latinas with the truth. She hopes that she can change the perspective of her audience with her stories that she tell about the dreams and fears of Latina women. She want her audience to look past Latino women's skin color, accent, and clothes.

Source 3 Stereotypes ● Thought to be fiery and provocative ● Thought to have low paying jobs or just being housewives ● People think they are uneducated

Source 4 -

Cofer shares her opinion regarding the stereotypes that have occurred throughout her life. Cofer reflects on her childhood and recognizes differences in the way people interact with her and other non-latino females. She relates her cultural experience to like being on an island. When Cofer is confronted with a career day at school and is faced with the challenge of deciding what is appropriate to wear. She states her expression of clothing could promote the cultural chasm that she faces. Stating "that it became quickly obvious that to the Puerto Rican girls 'dressing up' meant wearing their mother's ornate jewelry and clothing" (231-232). Cofer expresses how she agonized over her choice of clothing for career day. She states she decides to wear a composite of her cultural experiences, and her view of what a career woman would wear; as she had few role models other than Latino females. She confides how years later she was informed by a friend (an Italian American) at the business school she was attending the Latino girls stood out for wearing "everything at once" (232). With this example, Cofer shows that there is a cultural clash due to that the dress of Latino females differ drastically from the mainstream culture. Cofer continues to reveal the "myth of the Latino woman" as being the menial housemaid or domestic by going on to share, how when at a speaking engagement she was confused by one of the attendees as one of the service staff. She was the featured speaker and the woman who had called upon her for a cup of coffee would soon find herself plagued by her stereotypical presumptions. Cofer recognizes this person didn't intentionally "profile" her, however, she admitted this would be an obstacle that she would have to continue to overcome....