feb 1, 1519 - La Malinche

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"As a gift of reconciliation Cortés was presented with some slave girls, and one of these, a certain Malintzin (aka Marina or Malinche), would prove an invaluable asset as she spoke both the local Mayan language and, crucially, also the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs. One of Cortés’ men spoke the former so that now the way was open to parley with any representatives the invaders came across. Malintzin would remain at Cortés’ side throughout the campaign, and together they would have a son, Don Martin" (Markwright).

“That mixture, that mestizo, is us: born from rape and destruction, born in a time of hunger and anguish” (pgii)

Esa mezcla, eso mestizo somos nosotros: nacidos del rapto y la destrucción, nacidos en tiempo de hambre y angustia.

La Malinche Poem: “The poem addresses the scene of European colonization, charting Malinche’s fate—as a conquered woman, traitor, invincible survivor. Tafolla heightens the tension between traitor and survivor, raped slave and mother of la raza by writing as if Malinche herself was recounting her own history. Since none of Malinche’s 16th-century words have survived, the poem lends Malinche both an indomitable personality and powerful voice; she becomes a living figure, to be reckoned with in the present, and not merely a haunting ghost from the past”

http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/modules/lesson6/lesson6.php?s=10

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