Bodega Dreams tells a lot of truths about the mindset a lot of people grow up with. Finding an own personal identity in a big city can be a struggle with so many negative influences. Willie Bodega in Bodega Dreams grows up with these struggles which can be seen through his conflicts with his peers and his own personal quest for greatness.
The knowledge that Willie has learned growing up did not come from a book or from school, it is street knowledge; and since that is all he knows that is how he bases his life.
Bless Me, Ultima - Composing the Chicano World View
12 years ago
Finding a personal identity is something that I feel like many people struggle with whether they are from a big city or a small town. The stereotype is that in big cities, there are more people and therefore more people to give the negative influence. The truth is, I have never lived in a big city. I cannot imagine being pressured the way I know that some are. I cannot imagine feeling like I have so little that the only way out is to turn to things like Chino did. Now, he might not have been as desperate as some could be but at the same time, I think it is important to remember that it is street knowledge and for some, this is the only way they know how to survive.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the mindset we grow up with really influences how we view the world in the future. It is through experiences of getting to know others, visiting somewhere new, or becoming engaged in a challenging activity that we expand and transform our ideas and previous opinions. For example, Chino went to Blanca's church in order to better understand her and religion, though the event was not especially meaningful for him.
ReplyDeleteIn my psychology internship at a mental health facility, I have worked with adolescents and children who have grown up in families with many negative influences. It is so hard for me to hear about their childhood or see their relationships with parents because of the obvious danger and negativity that are a part of these interactions. How does an individual push aside negative influences that have been such an impacting part of life? How does resilience emerge?
I grew up in a big city, not like New York, but definitely bigger than the average city. There are many influences that can help mold a person's identity. I think for everybody they can say that it is more than just a city that influences people. I think the people, work, political movement, school, or anything that revolves around living influences people. A city can surround you with all these things but it can be anywhere that somebody is influenced.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that living in a city is better for people to understand each other better. I think that since there are more people, then that gives people a better opportunity to understand themselves better. You learn about yourself from other people. Since there are more influences in a city then someone can find out who they a little easier.
Even though all Willie Bodega might know is the streets, there are many examples of people leaving the streets to go on to greatness, without selling drugs or trying to renovate a large section of a big city. Bodega does have his ideas, and he is trying to make those happen, but I don't think it is entirely based on the fact that he is from the streets. He wants to make the place where so many Latino children grow up in into a wonderful and safe place to live. But there is also a woman involved, and I think for Bodega that is a very, very powerful driving force. He wants this woman to love him, and he is going to great lengths. I'm not sure that's something the streets would have prepared Bodega for.
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