Anzaldúa: Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza

In this article, Anzaldúa wishes to show her audience the new "mestiza," as stated in her title. She tackles issues such as the self-identity in the Latina culture for both men and women as well as the controversial border issues. In the issue of the border, Anzaldúa uses the physical border as a metaphor for that of cultural borders and differences. Differences such as the difference of "machismo" and "macho" of then and now and how is challenges a man's ability to take care of his family. According to Anzaldúa, one of the important effects of having a mestiza consciousness is "developing a tolerance for contradictions, a tolerance for ambiguity."It is this tolerance that aids one in dealing with the social and economic problems that affect oppressed groups in the United States today. By adopting the this consciousness, the mestiza will endure a great struggle but according to Anzaldúa, it is a mindset that can "bring about the end of rape, of violence, and of war." Personally, I agree with Anzaldúa on this subject. Although tolerance is not the easiest trait to develop, it is something that could have a great effect on any culture. If we, as humans, were to become tolerant of each others beliefs, skin colors, social statuses, and religions, maybe there would be less hate in the world. Perhaps it is hate itself that should be the one thing that should not be tolerated.