Latina/o Literature and
Literature of the Americas at the
University of Northern Colorado

Ray Gonzalez -- Muy Macho

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>Editor Ray Gonzalez asked 16 writers to explore the issues and concerns >surrounding manhood and machismo and compiled a vastly informative collection >of essays titled "Muy Macho: Latino Men Confront Their Manhood." >

>"Muy Macho" is an attempt at learning more about machismo, the stereotypes, >the truths, the burdens and the advantages.

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>"Muy Macho" is a new category that explores a topic that not many other >collections have delved into. That is what makes this collection unique and >outstanding.

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>Consider its offerings:

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>Dagoberto Gilb in his essay, "Me Macho, You Jane" tackles the issue of >dealing with the macho label. He freely admits what he likes and dislikes. He >likes women, of course, but is amazed that women so freely label him a >"macho." Where did he get this title and why? Even in the construction >company where he works his own co-workers - all men - also freely label him a >"macho." Gilb takes a close look at himself at his colleagues in an >eye-opening essay on life and expectations.

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>Elias Miguel Munoz's essay sparked strong memories of my own father because >of its stark portrayal. Elias is battling conflicting feelings of love and >hate for his father. His feelings come from his painful memories of his >upbringing. He finds irony in discovering that he is the product of a macho >upbringing, and, yet he disagrees and detests such behavior. But there is >also love and admiration and carino and Elias is embraced by all three in >this compelling telling of his family's story.

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>Poet Martin Espada writes about a scene where he and his son are watching >television when a ventriloquist appears. The ventriloquist is white, his >puppet is Puerto Rican and the puppet is made to act out all the Puerto Rican >stereotypes that keep the white audience in stitches. Real funny stuff, eh?, >except that Espada thinks is fuming because his son has been exposed to >racism on national television. Stunned not by the insult of such >irresponsible comedy, but by the fact that his son has been exposed to >racism, Espada uses poetry throughout his essay to air out his anger and >concern and examine those cultures, stereotypes and their implactions on >machismo.

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>Rudolfo Anaya, the dean of Chicano literature, explores the historic roots of >machismo as it applies to women and men.

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>Jack Lopez recalls a childhood fascination with surfing and how that >contrasted to life in the barrio.

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>And Luis Alberto Urrea recalls the initiation rights several young men - >including himself - encountered when they visited a brothel in Mexico in his >essay appropriately titled, "Whores."

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>The collection is a fascinating look at a subject that few people have really >written about before. The writers deal with the topic very seriously and >incorporate wit and wisdom in delivering a comprehensive look at machismo and >its affects on themselves and society.

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>Ray Gonzalez has compiled a collection that merits considerable attention and >study. Perhaps a volume two is in order for this type of study. >

>"Muy Macho: Latino Men Confront Their Manhood" is an impressive collection of >writers like Luis Rodriguez, Virgil Suarez, Leroy Quintana and Alberto >Alvario Rios.

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>Sample "Muy Macho" soon and discover the male point of view on the word and >the meaning.

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>Information:

>Ruben Sosa Villegas

>Rocky Mountain News

>400 West Colfax Ave.

>Denver, CO 80204

>(303) 892-5431

>Fax: (303) 892-2602

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