Literacies are like discourse communities; something a person holds an understanding for and is part of. The most obvious of literacies that Villanueva is part of is the Hispanic Latino community. Even though he talks about being raceless and how his mother wanted them to assimilate into the community, it’s obvious of his Hispanic roots. From the way he describes his Christmas’s in New York with Puerto Rican foods, such as pasteles. Villanueva is also part of an architectural community. Villanueva stated “…Hamiltons consolation prize had been architectural drafting. He had the skills, maybe even the talent.” (2) He may not have ended up with a career in architecture, but he contains a certain understanding of design and the ability to utilize the tools needed, in order to create something that others cannot. Another literacy that Villanueva is part of is the English literacy, stating that he is an English professor today.
I’m part of several different literacies, some of which that overlap. I’m literate in dance, as it’s been something I’ve been doing for sixteen years of my life. Dance is something I do, something I teach, something I live. Corresponding with teaching, besides assistant teaching dance I assist in an elementary school one day a week which will prepare me for my (hopefully) future career as a teacher. I’m literate in the Italian community, as it is my heritage. While I may not be fluent in the language, the traditions of my ancestors are still sometimes held true in my life. One of the biggest literacies in my life, one I have lived almost everyday in my life for a long time, is being a student. As a student, currently a college student, I’m part of a community that others can relate to. Almost everyone knows what it feels like to be a student, the hassles of tests, papers and deadlines, and that feeling when the school year is finally over.
Work Cited
1. Villanueva, Victor. Bootstraps: From an American Academic of Color. Urbana, IL: NCTE. 34-50
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