History 307 – History of Latin America – September 26, 2003

 Spain’s Work: For & Against

(Keen: Ch. 10)

 

I.                  “IDENTITY”

A.      The intense pain of mockery, ridicule, rejection, failure

B.      The intense pleasure of affirmation, affection, love

C.       “It’s still Me!” (C. Reeves); Some non-physical/ psychic dimension to persons (self? Soul? Spirit?), which provides (1) continuity over time (it’s the same me over time); (2) orientation (I believe in this, I don’t believe in that); (3) energy & vitality (wounds to self-worth à physical exhaustion)

D.      The SOCIAL dimension of identity: family; friends; wider community; religion; ethnic group; nation

 II.               “National Identity”

A.      Practical need for National Identity à vital need for minimal CONSENSUS on priorities & projects;  Consensus grows from shared values, that is, shared “Identity”

B.      What does it mean to be “German”? “Palestinian”? “Israeli”? “French”

C.       Symbols & Rituals of national identity (flags, holidays, stories, statues)

D.      NATIONAL IDENTITY AS “CONTESTED TERRAIN”

·          Not everyone agrees on symbols, holidays, stories, statues

·          USA: Holiday honoring Dr. King? Confederate Flag? Which is more important, protecting the flag or right to use flag in free speech? What stories go into children’s textbooks?

 

III.           Spanish America & National Identity

A.      Europeans? Creoles? Mestizos? Mulattos? Zambos? Africans? Native American? One sort of Native American & not Another (Tlaxcalans despised the Aztecs in Mexico)

B.      Hegemony?: multiple but NON-INTERSECTING IDENTITIES

C.       Transculturation? Evolution of radically NEW PERSONS/ SOCIETIES

D.      Today: Is there a WE? Who are WE?

 

IV.              Spain’s Work (1500 – 1800)

 

The Constructive Side to Spanish Colonialism (“fruitful legacy;” “rich legacy”)	The Destructive Side to Spanish Colonialism (“original sin”? “fatal legacy?”)

 

 

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Modified by:  H.  Kamerling