Blog post #7 : Zinn

In this reading it is stated that Chicanos feel they need to prove their masculinity. According to Zinn, "The social science literature views machismo as a compensation for feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness" (25). But, whatever the reason may be behind their way of showing masculinity, people think they are over doing it with the drinking, fighting, and dominance over everything within their family. I believe everyone has their own perspective but won't understand anything until they are being placed in the person's shoes. If i was a Chicano man I would probably do the same thing. The pressure of the outside world would destroy me. If i didn't have power anywhere else except in my household, i think i would also want to feel powerful and take full control to balance out my life. The same way Marable described Blacks as degrading their woman is probably a misunderstanding. They seem to recognize and praise their woman just that their need to be masculine is needed. I believe that physiologically it would help them believe and let society believe that they aren't weak. They also had slavery times where the household was the only place they had a say in because everywhere else they weren't even considered human. Overall i think we view their masculinity as violent and unnecessary but they may view it as simply trying to prove themselves the way they know how to.