Brainstorm 6 - Natalie Stagnone

Natalie Stagnone

Gonzalez comments on the technology of different symbols within the Indigenous Culture. These were symbols such as the woman’s traditional braid which signifies a baby’s umbilical cord (85-68). This use of technology showcases the woman’s role in passing on tradition. Gonzalez also says that women were able to carry on traditions, such as the braid, in many ways that were not outwardly shown. Gonzalez states that the “female cosmologies remained in the private spaces of households” (70). This explains how their cultural traditions remained. This reminded me of the women’s position in the Indigenous Culture as the internal decision makers for their community. Overall, “technology” described the importance of women in maintaining the Indegenous Knowledge of communities.

These ideas of “technology” carry over into Professor Habell-Pallan’s article on Girl in a Coma Chicanafuturism. Specifically, Habell-Pallan discusses the ways in which the American Sabor exhibition and the Women Who Rock conference utilize modern technology to define and expand the cultural knowledge for Chicanas as well as cultivate a community that expands the scholarship of Chicana studies. Habell-Pallan states that the Girl in a Coma “claim[s] their space” within their music being produced (162). Technology made it possible to not only connect people in geographically different locations, but also make a collective portfolio of the work that is being done to showcase the Chicana experience and write it into history.

Finally, one Girl in a Coma’s lyrics is that she is “waiting for [her] time” (1:55). These lyrics tie into the multiple pictures (that appear to be much older) being shown in a slide show. I interpreted this song as being very much connected to the theme of technology in that there is a sense of showing the past while also bringing herself to the conversation.