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Week Five Overview

  • Apex Card Participation Points

    • Points will be submitted based on participation.

  • Video Date

    • Class will watch a video today, approximately 15-20 minutes in length.

  • Required Readings

    • Review of completed readings.
    • The only video to watch independently is the Royal Chicano Air Force video.
    • Focus on preparing for the midterm next week.
    • The personal curiosity assignment involves watching 'Los Medidos.'

  • Personal Curiosity Assignment

    • Due tomorrow, involves selecting a moment involving a character or scene from 'Los Banditos.'
    • Students must include a question, thought, or point in their submission.

  • Mosaic Town Number Four

    • Scheduled for Thursday.

  • Art Reflection

    • Only two parts this week (as opposed to the usual three).
    • Reflection can be based on either the RCAF video or the video watched in class.

Class Topics on Theater and Movement

  • Discussion Theme: Humor and Resistance

    • Focus on how communities react to oppression by identifying counter forces.
    • Analyze historical moments in relation to art movements.

  • Luis Valdez and Teatro Campesino

    • Valdez is known for directing 'La Bamba' and 'El Teatro Campesino.'
    • Importance of recognizing themes in Valdez's work related to humor in resistance.

Five Faces of Oppression

  • Power Dynamics Overview

    • Identification of five types of oppression responding to unequal power dynamics.
    • Discussion on a visual representation of power and privilege; identities closer to the center have more power.

  • Characteristics of Power

    • Themes include:
    • Gender
    • Language
    • Wealth status
    • Housing status
    • Body size
    • Mental health
    • Marginalization leads to discrimination and underrepresentation.

  • Discussion on Privilege

    • Examples: Ability and gender privileges illustrated as identities closer to power.

Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Theory

  • Theory Explained

    • Challenges the deficit narrative surrounding marginalized communities.
    • Argues that these communities possess various forms of wealth valid within cultural contexts.

  • Forms of Capital

    • Aspirational Capital: Maintaining hopes and dreams despite barriers.
    • Familial Capital: Cultural knowledge gained from family members.
    • Linguistic Capital: Multilingual capabilities lead to diverse ways of thinking and solving problems.
    • Resistant Capital: Skills developed through combating inequality.
    • Navigational Capital: Skills for maneuvering through institutions.

Counter Forces of Resistance

  • Overview of Resistance
    • Illustrated through solidarity protests, creativity, and humor.
    • Look at the importance of art from marginalized voices like Luis Valdez’s work.

Historical Context of El Teatro Campesino

  • Founding Background

    • Founded in 1965 in Delano, California by Luis Valdez.
    • Initially involved with the United Farm Workers Union; utilized humor for awareness.

  • Evolution

    • Transition from grassroots origination to internationally recognized organization.

Key Discussions and Interviews

  • Significance of Historical Events

    • Reference to significant events impacting communities, like the Zoot Suit riots and the marches for farm workers’ rights.
    • Valdez emphasizes the role of art and theater in these movements.

  • The Importance of 'La Bamba'

    • Cultural significance of fusion music and storytelling emerging from specific times and contexts.

Themes in Today's Film: The Sellouts

  • Film Insights

    • The director utilizes humor through exaggerated stereotypes, provoking thought on conforming to societal norms regarding identities.
    • Students encouraged to examine what societal expectations are being called out and how it relates to power dynamics.
    • The film works to showcase stereotypes about Mexican Americans and the commodification of identity in society.

  • Key Notes to Record

    • Points of interest from the film for index card submission.
    • Focus on questions regarding the portrayal of stereotypes and societal expectations.

  • Character Interaction in the Film

    • Engaging dialogue that illustrates the absurdity of commodified identities in an exaggerated manner.
    • Reflection on the role of humor as a tool for societal critique.