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Rg's Perspective On The Chapter In Oscar Casares Brownsville

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“RG,” the chapter in Oscar Casares’ Brownsville, presents a unique perspective on the division of culture and social respect that exists between Anglos and Hispanics within Borderland communities. Throughout the story, RG obsesses over the fact his neighbor, Bannert, forgot to return his hammer rather than return it. RG’s hammer not being returned represents a break in social and cultural respect between him and his neighbor. The historical mistreatment of Hispanics by Anglos created distorted core beliefs amongst Hispanics that led to defensive and prideful personalities to disguise the fragile and insecure emotions felt in Borderland communities. The pride and defensiveness of Borderland cultures reveal why RG feels obligated to defend his …show more content…

RG’s former supervisor stalked him to check whether he was or, “wasn’t slacking off,” (Casares 26) from his job. The stereotypical view of Borderland men from the outside seems to have created a stereotypical view of Anglos from inside Borderland communities. He believes that all Anglos judge Hispanics, as he made sure not to ruin Bannert’s table when he borrowed it so that his family wouldn’t be viewed as the family, “that didn’t know how to take care of things” (Casares 30). RG believes that while sharpening his blades Bannert was judging him as he stood over him. “He made me uncomfortable,” (Casares 28) is the vibe that RG had sensed of Bannert even though Bannert had done nothing wrong. His scorn view of Bannert derives from his stereotypical belief that, “Bannert takes everything for granted” (Casares 30). Furthermore, RG’s belief that Anglos have higher privileges over Hispanics further reveals why he must defend his actions against Bannert. RG critiques Bannert’s attire by detailing how his, “overalls had creases,” (Casares 28) to imply that Bannert hardly works, which is a jab to his masculinity. Through RG’s stereotypical view of Anglos, he’s often compelled to demasculinize Bannert to prove that his culture is not beneath the white culture of

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