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The above essay appears in the “The Latin Deli: An Arcs Poetica” (Cofer 1) which is a celebrated work by the distinguished Puerto Rican author, Judith Ortiz Cofer. The critically acclaimed “The Latin Deli” is a collection of poems, short stories and essays and “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I just met a girl named Maria” (Cofer 1) is one of them. Judith Cofer touches upon a variety of themes in her essay. The present article, however, deals with one of its predominant themes- racism. Most of Cofer’s writings explore the racial differences faced by the immigrants in an alien world. Racism has often been defined as “…the belief or ideology that all members of each racial group possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish as being superior or inferior to another racial group.” (Oxford English Dictionary 1)
In the above-mentioned essay, Cofer, with her characteristic sense of humor, states two incidents in the context of racism that is inherent in the society. This is inextricably linked with the issue of ‘perception’. This observation is the way people belonging to certain ethnic backgrounds are perceived by others. In this particular essay, Cofer explores the manner in which Latin women are perceived or ‘misperceived’. According to Cofer, the Latin women are usually viewed as “Hot Tamale” or “sexual firebrand” (Cofer 2). The adjectives ‘sizzling’, ‘smoldering’ (Cofer 2) are usually associated with the women from Latin America just as these are aptly applied to certain foods. They are considered to ripen early, just like fruits and vegetables, and are expected to be proficient in certain specific types of profession. These professions are especially those which do not call much for the application of intellect. Another interesting incident that has been related by the author is her first public poetry reading session when she has been accosted by a woman who mistook her as a waitress because of her physical appearance. This is one of the many incidents that have made her realize that she needs to represent herself in a completely different light in order to be taken seriously by the Western society. This was a grim issue in the sense that Latin women are not taken seriously as a poet in the western society.
There is an inherent simplicity and openness in her presentations that makes the writings of Cofer all the more endearing. Moreover, she skillfully interweaves the various themes in her writings to create a composite whole. Cofer, who is born in Puerto Rica, moves to United States along with her parents in the year 1956 (Cofer 1). In her growing up years, she finds herself subjected to the challenge of negotiating between the two cultures- of belonging to the culture of United States as well as preserving the integrity and values of the native culture. It is this cultural dichotomy that forms an integral part of her writing. This relentless effort to preserve the native culture while living up to the standards of the western culture is onerous. And this onus relates not only to the Puerto Ricans or the Mexicans living in an alien world but to all the races and ethnicities that are considered inferior in the West. The sense of humiliation that is fostered by racial discrimination is inevitable. To conclude, it may be said that this particular essay has universality in theme that binds people all the world over.
Works Cited
Cofer, Judith. The Myth of the Latin Woman: I just met a girl named Maria. London: The Longman Reader, 2007.
Oxford English Dictionary. Racism. Oxford English Dictionary. 2010. Web.
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