Hellllooooooo friends. I wrote this a couple weeks ago - meant to post earlier but I want to tell y'all about my experience here as a young, blonde (rubia) white girl. Please don't mistake my thoughts for a negative mess; I don't want to sugar coat anything.
Let me set the scene:
Cassidy and Neely walk from the subte station to the bar, restaurant, boliche, university, shoe store, etc. Approx. six blocks to the destination.
Cassidy asks a profound, interesting question.
Before I have time to think, a fellow pedestrian is piercing us with his grotesque stare, making strange kissy-noises and deeply cooing, “Ayy ay ay, que liiiindasss…" accompanied by a few grunts and an "ooooh yeaa." Simply horrifying, but we shudder and shake it off. And so do they. It's almost like they are programmed to do it without a thought.
With some thought, I honestly answer Cassidy’s thought-provoking question as we pass the 152 bus stop.
What an interesting question, Cass! I for one belie——HONKKKK HONKKKK——…. The city bus has honked its bellowing horn as the driver licks his lips.. We keep walking.
Taxi drivers flash their brights, cyclists whistle, men ages 2-92 clap and holler. Even the SUBTE itself honked at us on our way out of the station. Walking anywhere in this city will never be boring. That’s for sure. The other day I was eyed by an elderly man, I'd say about 85 years of age. His eyes were hungrier than a drunk freshman waiting on her Boot Pizza. It did not feel great.
I can’t help but wonder, “Who raised you people???!!!” That’s just the thing. Machismo is everywhere. It is one of Latin America’s oldest, and still pressing, issues.
History lesson: Machismo is just what it sounds like: it's a strong sense of over-macho-ness. Centuries ago, "ser macho" or to be macho was the only thing little boys aspired to be. It was an embodiment of bravery, strength, courage, wisdom and leadership.
If my Latin American history serves me right, I believe machismo became quite the sensation during the colonization of Latin America. Caudillos, who were the macho-men/military dictators, often got their way through violence and authoritarianism. Machismo has been prevalent ever since, but lest we forget the equally important Marianismo, which is essentially the role a woman wa supposed to take on: in short, she must be as much like the Virgin Mary as possible. If she was unfaithful or non-devoted to being the perfect homemaker and mom, her community would hate on her big time. If a married man, on the other hand, sleeps with half the town and doesn't come home often, he would be celebrated as a strong, macho man. Ain't that some shit. (pardon)
Therefore, machismo has a lot to do with male superiority; in the late 20th century the word was used by Latin American feminists to express their disapproval with the aggression men show towards "their inferiors," las mujeres (women). Essentially, my point is that machismo still exists and is carried not only through the grotesque voices on street corners, but also through "ladies' night discounts" at bars, restaurants, theaters, etc. (not that I can hate on a discount, ammirite).
I never considered myself to be a feminist because at an all-girls high school, I always felt strong, smart and capable. But in the real world, women really do have to demand the respect that they deserve. Being here has made me incredibly thankful for the way things are at home; although in some situations I am discouraged by the words of my peers, I am not harassed at every corner of the street while wearing jeans and a turtleneck.
When I arrived, I really didn't have that period of "culture shock time" that many people must endure when traveling to different countries. The catcalls are really the only bothersome aspect about being here, and I would consider that to be a successful transition, especially for a rubia like me.
Coming here, I knew that there were going to be plenty of blonde people because many Argentinians have German in their blood, but I didn’t realize how different I look from the others. Claudia, Elena’s daughter, asked me at our second ladies’ night, (roughly translated and paraphrased), “So do you ever sit in the sun? Can your skin allow it? What unique eyes you have. Your hair too. Is that natural?” News to me that I’m ~exotic~ but of course I’d take that compliment any day.
For the first time in my entire life, I feel singled out for the way I look. It’s the strangest feeling and has been an immense reality check for me. Because I am such a gringa, I feel like the locals are inclined to speak English to me from the get-go, or at least have lower expectations for my Spanish speaking abilities. This theory of course is my biggest motivation to really kill the game and make them question my nationality with my flawless Castellano (argentine dialect) - Disclaimer - my Castellano needs work but I'm learning a little bit every day! Knowledge is power, you know.
Chao y'all
No comments:
Post a Comment