Borderlands Conciousness

            Anzaldua is trying to understand the perplexities of the white conventions of immigration. In an attempt to cross the shores of two mortal combatants. Through tolerance of opposing views are we able to understand and appreciate the psych of opposing forces. Analytical reasoning uses westernized thinking to diverge thinking and to juggle social personalities. In this exploration of the immigrant, the mestiza or consciousness of the duality of the immigrant is broken down to expose the subject-object of subordination. Anzaldua believes that ending the idea of duality could bridge the foundational split that originates in all of our lives; bringing an end to rape, violence, and war.
            So long as humanity as existed as there been a system of conflict. It takes more than simple ideas of social personality to break these bonds that are holding us down. Through our social culture are we able to produce these visions of a world and our participation in it. I disagree that simply understanding and breaking the idea of dualism can bring an end to conflict. When Anzaldua says that "her first step is to take inventory of the Indian ancestors to access how much baggage they carry" (Anzaldua 104), I suspect she is trying to create a divide between the experiences of colored women. There is no divide of experience between anyone of color. Every colored women in the history of America or the world has experienced a system of opposition, even in the  "white" culture. Anzaldua is trying to separate the experiences of one culture over another. We all have experienced the same hate and division. She is the victim of her own concepts of duality. When Anazaldua states that "You're nothing but a woman means your defective." (Anzaldua 105), she is assuming that the term "women" is nothing but a negative connotation. Anzaldua proposes the end to a dualistic society yet she continues to propose their is inherited weakness in the female. Anzaldua then goes on to blame the "macho" man for becoming "lost in dignity and respect, resulting in putting down women as inferior; going as far as to brutalize them" (Anzaldua 105). Anzaldua then states that the man resorts to the "mirror, bottle, snort, needle, and fist" (Anzaldua 105) to express his frustrations. Well, I believe that Anzaluda resorts to an aggressive and depressing imagination to view the relationship between men and women in such a manner. If I were you, I would avoid the ramblings of Anzaldua and look for the solution to the the disparate relationship between man and women elsewhere.

The Dirty Business of Prostitution

             In the short novel, Rent Girl by Michelle Tea we are introduced to the main character. Throughout much of the story, we explore the society of prostitution; its dangers, its consequences. Prostitution is displayed throughout the story as an unhealthy exploration of human sexuality. The main character, Michelle Tea, contracts pubic lice when she uses an unclean restroom. In addition to the unsafe environments, Tea is exposed to unsafe sex practices when working as a prostitute. Prostitution throughout the story is portrayed as a legitimate means of female sexual exploration.
            Prostitution is a business of sex, defined by women selling themselves to men. One of the major issues caused by prostitution is the infestation of pubic lice. By displaying inadequate hygiene, the main character and her lover/roommate Steph are introduced to one of the many dangers of prostitution; the contraction of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The main character is also very unhygienic in regards to her physique. In addition to the health dangers that a prostitute faces, the "john" or buyer of sex faces extreme danger as well. For instance, when the main character is visiting a "john" in Tucson, Arizona she remarks that "she wanted to beat up and rob John, but the most I got to do was humiliate him." (Tea 121). Being used for sex displays, the main character has lost some of her humanity when she wants more from these men. Michelle Tea begins to want "their blood, their homes, their self-esteem lying wet in the waste-bucket like a shucked condom." (Tea 129). Tea works to serve men by selling her body, but she is in a way selling her mind as well. Consequently, Tea also has major self-esteem issues.  Michelle Tea is very withdrawn from reality, stating " I was detached from myself, sort of split and watching it like a great movie: my life." (Tea 150). In order to establish an identity, Tea gets tattoo's to convey certain messages regarding her life. One of these tattoos is a bare heart on her chest. The tattoo is meant to portray a heart devoid of life. Prostitution is a devastatingly unfortunate career choice for Michelle Tea.