Dissertation
ABRAZANDO QUETZALCÓATL AND LA COATLICUE: A NEPANTLERA WALKING THE PATH OF THE SNAKE
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004454
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/123216
Abstract
This counter storytelling engages with Critical Race Theory and Latinx Queer Feminism to author a personal story of a poet who is a Pagan with Christian beliefs, a person of color from Latin America and a queer man connecting with indigenous ways of knowing and worshiping going through a path of healing and liberation of internalized oppression. In this Arts-Based narrative the experimental writing reflects field trips to Mexico in which inspiration was found to discover new meanings in spirituality, religion, love, sexuality, race, and how to overcome recent traumatic experiences including a near death hospitalization. Intergenerational trauma as an African descendant from Brasil is also addressed as well as systematic oppression experienced in Brasil, Mexico, and in the USA. Quetzalcóatl and La Coatlicue, two Mexica non-binary deities who are archetypes of wisdom, transformation, and the dynamics of the universe, reflect deepest aspirations and anxieties and inspiration to walk in life being a person with conflicting marginalized identities. In this narrative I talk about fear, despair, and pain, but also about joy, pleasure, and healing. Through this personal journey, I express my voice in a non-linear and fragmented way inspired by Mexican and Brazilian popular poetry with visual representations that seeks for a dialogue among cultures and spiritualities to create new possibilities of community building. The aim is not to essentialize the intersectionalities that can be so painful but find the beauty and awakening moments for those who have them. This narrative is connecting with decolonial pedagogies to encourage students and people in general with marginalized identities to come forward in classrooms and in life and share their histories denouncing systematic oppression and healing from its wounds. This counter storytelling is an experiment of academic and poetic voices looking for a queer and feminist future that breaks binaries, embracing fluidity and constant change as ways of expressing yourself and being who you are.
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Details
- Title
- ABRAZANDO QUETZALCÓATL AND LA COATLICUE
- Creators
- Marco AG Cerqueira
- Contributors
- Susan Finley (Advisor)John Lupinacci (Advisor)Richard Sawyer (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Teaching and Learning, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 149
- Identifiers
- 99900883438601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation