Chicano Borderlands Essay

Borderlands is a concept that does not have to be seen to be considered borders and can often be placed subconsciously by ourselves. These borderlands are unsettled and unclear and are consistently changing. The famous singer Rosita Fernández was born in Mexico but spent majority of her life in San Antonio performing music. Rosita was very popular in the San Antonio music scene and eventually was inducted into both the San Antonio music hall of fame and the Tejano Music Hall of Fame. Rosita’s induction into both of these halls demonstrates her diversity border including her Texan connection as well as her Mexican connection since she is considered half Mexican and half Texan. City leaders requested she become San Antonio’s unofficial cultural

This lack of broader appreciation could lead us to question the borders we place on others and if it affects situations such as this one. Although she was beloved in San Antonio, Rosita Fernández lacked the world recognition she so truly deserved in that eras tough, masculinist industry of music. The singer’s music can act as a borderland as well. When observing just her music, you will see that Fernández’s music appears to conflict with Chicano musicality. She didn’t seem to be perfectly labeled to just a Mexican musician or a American musician. That borderline then was created between both parts of herself and merged to create the beautiful sounds of Tejano music that she was able to share with several people. It is hard for Rosita to be appreciated to the fullness that she deserves since she is barely mentioned within Chicano history of music. In the book, “Divas in Chicana Music”, the author, Deborah Vargas, says, “Following the sounds of her career requires us to open our ears to less stable sonic imaginaries of the borderlands and of Tejano representations and subjectivities.” This captures the uniqueness that is Rosita Fernández and how even if she has to deal with

This was the battle cry heard at the Battle of San Jacinto, to remember the Texans lost all of their fighters devastatingly in a frantic fight at the Alamo. The battle took place because Texas was trying to depart from Mexico and it lead to Texas earning their independence. This battle cry reminded Texans that they should not surrender and could achiever victory against great odds. Tejano music was very popular in Texas in the early 20th century, especially among the Mexican migrants. This type of music, Tejano music, is known for its instrumentation and orchestration and originated among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas. Another typical notation of Tejano music of that time period was that is typically consisted of mostly male musicians and singers. These were some of many stereotypes that Rosita Fernandez would overcome during her long