Post 5: Mexican Identity

Monday's class was one of the more interesting classes we've had. For Professor Stark's part of the class, we had Peter Guardino, a professor from Indiana University, give a lecture on the Mexican Revolution. The most significant idea that I learned and thought about was indigenismo. This idea of indigenismo was basically finding a way to incorporate the indigenous population into Mexican society. Professor Guardino discussed how it was often the solution to try and eradicate the indigenous culture to help with the transition into a new society and creation of a new Mexican identity. This idea of a Mexican identity was also shown within the documentary we had to watch for Professor Serrata's part of the class. They talked about how many Mexican muralists had created these public paintings to show the history and ideals that showed the Mexican culture and identity that will be created. However, what exactly is the identity that they have? Does the whole country of Mexico believe in having this same identity? Or is it different for those indigenous people that preside in Mexico? As we continue our discussion of Mexico, I am interested to see this Mexican identity play out and form.