The Myth of Latin Women

     Judith Ortiz Cofer is able to create the passionate piece of literature, “The Myth of Latin Women: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria”, in a way that seems like a one-on-one conversation with an audience member yet also a broad perspective piece on ethnic relations meant for a wider viewing. Cofer’s subject varies throughout her writing, as she shares multiple stories from her life. However, the most important one seems to be the first mentioned: the man singing to her on the bus. This story opens up her essay and gives the audience an introduction to the issue she will address. Cofer’s purpose for writing this short story seems to be quite simple: she wants to address the way people perceive certain races and ethnic backgrounds.
     Now then, how does she achieve this in the unique way I described earlier? Well, Cofer utilizes a very calm tone throughout her work. She never seems to get too emotional or frustrated with what she’s writing. Her sentences are meticulous and thoughtful, full of strength and drive not emotion and sentiment. One sentence really stuck out in my mind when reading her piece, “I resented the stereotype my Hispanic appearance called forth from many people I met”. The key word in this sentence is “resented”. It’s tense in this case is past. In fact, her whole essay is written in past tense. Her use of this tense on words, such as resented, shows her evolution from resenting the stereotype, to now how she resented the stereotype. Cofer no longer resents people perceiving her ethnicity in a certain way; she now accepts it but has decided to commit her life trying to changing it. The use of past tense in this essay shows her acceptance of life’s misfortune but she never says that she is content with how others perceive her. This precise choice of word tense allows for the tone to continue its soft and calm delivery.
     Cofer’s ability to concede to other’s points of view and then rebuttal is done beautifully in her story of her date at her first formal dance. She explains how this boy expected so much of her, mirroring her mother and other mature female figures in her life. Cofer accepts the fact that her background and surroundings can and do change the way others perceive her. She forgives people in the sense that they simply don’t understand her culture and background. The clash of customs between Latin America and the “White World” is too large for first generation immigrants to assimilate into. Cofer uses arguments for and against her points in such a way that isn’t combative, but elegant. Throughout the work you never really think she has any aversion towards anyone who may perceive her differently because of her ethnicity. She learns and adapts to further her goal of changing the way others perceive her people. Her goal isn’t to anger or fight people who see her as a Maria, but it is her goal to educate and influence their outlook from here on.
     At one point in her work, Cofer expands her story to more than just how people perceive Latinas. She brings up her thoughts on why so many people see her the way they do. “The myth of the Hispanic menial has been sustained by the same media phenomenon that made ‘Mammy’ from Gone with the Wind America’s idea of the black women for generations…”, Cofer utilizes other false perceptions of races and ethnicities to further strengthen her resolve and show her audience that others that receive similar stereotypic treatment should work together. Even though this is only one sentence in her entire piece, I believe it is extremely important. It gives the audience someone to blame, the media. Cofer needed someone for her audience to point fingers at. If there is no central force then the problem becomes generalized. Her use of combining her struggle with other people’s allows for her sympathizers to grow in her audience and help in her fight.
     Overall, Cofer does an excellent job of delivering a well-written piece of literature. This piece shows a wide range audience just how important it is to fight racial stereotypes. However, Cofer’s subtle and calm tone throughout the piece shows her want for an educational and informal way of change. I believe that Cofer would disapprove of direct confrontation and would much prefer passive remarks to help better change someone’s point of view on her ethnicity.