Outline
(Un)Modern Family: Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, the Myth of the U.S.-Colombiana, and the Quest for Belonging
I. Introduction (1 page)
II. What is a “Modern Family”? (2 pages)
A. “Family as modern “
1. The idea of multiplicity (gender, racial, ethnic, etc.) as a form of modernity
2. Categorizing family members through their identity to check the boxes for being a modern family
a. Gloria fits neatly in to the package of the “sexy Latina” who is the unexpectedly expected second wife and step-mother
3. How are contemporary families in the U.S. conceptualized? What kinds of privileges do these conceptions afford them?
a. Allows them to function as neoliberal units where difference does not matter anymore Post-racial in the social fabric
(1) But while Gloria’s …show more content…
Cultural existence in U.S. society must be exercised through benign activities like food, parades, music, etc. that do not confront hegemonic social institutions
b. Culture, thus, cannot function as a dynamic force, but must exist as a stable, fixed notion tied to a specifically-selected history that is approved by the dominant society you are attempting to fit it into (Near NW Side Story/Arab America will be helpful here)
4. But even benign cultural belonging can be questioned and expected to change
a. When Gloria tries to cook a traditional Colombian dish, Jay is quick to admonish her. Even her own son, a U.S.-Colombian attempts to escape the family dinner to avoid eating the food.
5. Thus, U.S. society constantly polices racial and cultural difference and expects foreign subjects to change them as required Cultural belonging is contingent on cultural complicity by “the Other”
6. Once you meet these cultural demands you are granted citizenship, or at least a palliative version of it to keep you happy.
a. Gloria, with her newly-minted passport breezes through the immigration line. But is this real citizenship or is this merely an illusion meant to keep subaltern citizens happy for the time
(Un)Modern Family: Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, the Myth of the U.S.-Colombiana, and the Quest for Belonging
I. Introduction (1 page)
II. What is a “Modern Family”? (2 pages)
A. “Family as modern “
1. The idea of multiplicity (gender, racial, ethnic, etc.) as a form of modernity
2. Categorizing family members through their identity to check the boxes for being a modern family
a. Gloria fits neatly in to the package of the “sexy Latina” who is the unexpectedly expected second wife and step-mother
3. How are contemporary families in the U.S. conceptualized? What kinds of privileges do these conceptions afford them?
a. Allows them to function as neoliberal units where difference does not matter anymore Post-racial in the social fabric
(1) But while Gloria’s …show more content…
Cultural existence in U.S. society must be exercised through benign activities like food, parades, music, etc. that do not confront hegemonic social institutions
b. Culture, thus, cannot function as a dynamic force, but must exist as a stable, fixed notion tied to a specifically-selected history that is approved by the dominant society you are attempting to fit it into (Near NW Side Story/Arab America will be helpful here)
4. But even benign cultural belonging can be questioned and expected to change
a. When Gloria tries to cook a traditional Colombian dish, Jay is quick to admonish her. Even her own son, a U.S.-Colombian attempts to escape the family dinner to avoid eating the food.
5. Thus, U.S. society constantly polices racial and cultural difference and expects foreign subjects to change them as required Cultural belonging is contingent on cultural complicity by “the Other”
6. Once you meet these cultural demands you are granted citizenship, or at least a palliative version of it to keep you happy.
a. Gloria, with her newly-minted passport breezes through the immigration line. But is this real citizenship or is this merely an illusion meant to keep subaltern citizens happy for the time