Thursday Draft Questions - Caroline Johnson

1.     In “Voicing Citizenship: Undocumented Women and Social Media” it is explained how “testimonios highlight individual stories to underscore the ways that lived experiences are implicated within larger power structures, such as the state…”(Baez 6). Why do you think this is and what about this makes testimonios so important and successful?

2.     In “Cyphers: Hip-Hop and Improvisation” cyphering is discussed as “It is to fight back, to borrow, to steal, to represent, and to collaborate, whilst suddenly – surprisingly – at times aggressively claiming your own voice, your own right to speak” (Watkins and Caines 1) . How is cyphering similar to altar making?

3.     Castillo-Garsow explains how “Moreover for Lane an important reason for women to write graffiti, DJ, rap, breakdance, MC or beatbox, is to prevent violence in their community through female visibility” (340). How does art create this visibility that can prevent violence?

4.     In the video “Origin” she explains how learning Kichwe has allowed her to heal and now live a full life. How does learning a language create this fulfillment in one’s life?