Annotated Bibliography

Montana Standish

“Biscochito.” This annotated bibliography would be incomplete without an explanation of biscochitos. The article briefly explains that the biscochito (also spelled bizcochito) is a small cookie traditionally served at celebrations whose recipe was invented by New Mexicans centuries ago when the first Spanish colonists settled there. The article goes on to add that the biscochito became the official state cookie of New Mexico in 1989, thus making New Mexico the first state to ever declare a “state cookie”. The article also touches on the important fact that the recipe for the biscochito originated from indigenous New Mexican culture and is “seldom known outside its various territories.” (“Biscochito”), thus supporting the idea of New Mexico as a somewhat isolated place both socially and geographically.

Chávez, John. The Lost Land: The Chicano Image Of The Southwest. United States of America: the University of New Mexico Press, 1984.

In this book, John Chávez outlines Mexican and Chicano history in the United States, and more specifically, the Southwest. Unlike the other researched texts, Chávez maintains that there is a distinct separation between the Anglo perception of the Southwest (which is contained in the larger idea of the American West) and the Chicano perception (which is geographically much more specific). Chávez states that the majority of Anglo-America is only vaguely aware of the actual states and cultures which compromise the Southwest whereas the Chicanos “have a clearer image of the Southwest: to them, the Southwest is home.” (Chávez 1) Chávez also compares the Chicano experience of indigenous dispossession to that of Native Americans. Though Chávez brings up some controversial subjects, at times his statements seem over simplified in their implication that the Southwest and its culture belong solely to Chicanos.

Cronon, William, George Miles, and Jay Gitlin. Under An Open Sky: Rethinking America’s Western Past. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1992.

The authors of Under An Open Sky work as professors of history and lecturers at Yale University. In this book they focus on regionalism in the context of the American West as well as explore the idea of the “imagined” West. The authors acknowledge the prevalence in American popular culture of a West that is made up more of myth and lore than of fact, yet they draw the conclusion that both the “imagined” West and the actual West are of equally important historic value. The authors also address the prominent geographic, cultural, and ethnic divisions which coincide with the geographic distinction that is the West. The book’s main theme centers around the “continuing struggle among different communities to impose ordered boundaries and regional identities on the landscapes of North America…” (Cronon, 8)

Dary, David. The Santa Fe Trail. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House Inc., 2000.

Dary has worked for CBS and NBC News, taught Journalism at the University of Kansas, headed the School of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma, and is the author of eight books on the West. This book follows the history of the Santa Fe Trail and traces it geographically through the country. As opposed to other texts, this book spends a considerable amount of time specifically on the city of Santa Fe. Dary explains the historic “appeal of Santa Fe and its different customs, its different languages and dress” which is still the same thing that draws tourists to the city today. (Dary xi) Santa Fe’s influence in inspiring the “imagined” West is fully realized and appreciated in Dary’s writing. Dary attributes the cultural phenomena of Santa Fe to the fact that it, like other Southwestern towns, was lacking typical Anglo-American history and instead adopted Hispanic and Native American influences even when it was no longer under the political rule of these cultures.

Gonzalez-Berry, Erlinda. “Which Language Will Our Children Speak? The Spanish Language and Public Education Policy in New Mexico 1890-1930.” The Contested Homeland: A Chicano History of New Mexico. Ed. David R. Maciel. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, 2000.

In this essay, Gonzalez-Berry examines the interactions and conflicts of “Nuevomexicanos” and Anglos in New Mexico by looking at the complex coexistence of both the Spanish and English language in the state. Gonzalez-Berry draws the connection between the Spanish language and “the survival and maintenance of native Nuevomexicano culture.” (Gonzalez-Berry 169) The essay traces throughout history the role of Spanish in education, finally ending with it being replaced by English in the public school system. The essay exposes historical evidence which supports the belief that native New Mexicans were unrightfully dispossessed of their heritage and language because of the influence of Anglos in government politics. Gonzalez-Berry seems to suggest that future generations of Hispanic Nuevomexicanos lacked cultural knowledge because Spanish was no longer taught in schools; however she does not address the current situation in which many Anglo children are being taught Spanish along with González, Nancie. The Spanish Americans of New Mexico. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, 1969.Whereas some of the other texts focus on the American West or Southwest, González’s work centers specifically on New Mexico. This book’s main subject is the experience of Spanish-Americans in New Mexico, however it touches on larger issues relating to the elusive, extra something that makes New Mexico so different. González not only reaffirms that New Mexico is extremely different from any other place on earth; she also examines what makes it that way. González possesses the insight to recognize that “New Mexico’s Spanish-speaking population is, of course, completely different from all other Spanish-speaking groups in the United States.” (González, x) González also addresses the mystery and misperceptions surrounding the state that have given rise to a romantic (poetic) New Mexico of epic proportions. That very little is known about New Mexico by Easterners is revealed, as well as the fact that New Mexicans want it to stay this way for the sake of tourism and regional pride. González’s writing is reflective of a clear understanding of the subtleties which make up the New Mexican dynamic.

Nostrand, Richard. The Hispano Homeland. U.S.A: University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, 1992.

Richard Nostrand is a professor of Geography at the University of Oklahoma as well as the author of many other publications. This particular book focuses exclusively on the Hispanic experience in the Southwest borderlands between Mexico and the United States. Nostrand follows the colonization of the Southwest and explores the interactions throughout history between Hispanics, Native Americans, and Anglos. Nostrand describes in detail the Anglo intrusion into primarily Hispanic and Native American land and points out the “genuine contrast in values.” (Nostrand, 107) Nostrand also recognizes Santa Fe as an important city in which Catholic and religious influences mixed with Anglo, Native American, and later migrant Mexican culture.

Pepper (Bollinger, Bret, Kaleo Wassman, and Yesod Williams), “Back Home”, In WithThe Old. CD. Volcom Entertainment, March 30th 2004.

Hawaiian natives Bret Bollinger, Kaleo Wassman, and Yesod Williams make up the reggae/ska/rock band called Pepper who has recorded six albums to date. A strong importance is placed on regional pride for their native home of Hawaii which is heard throughout their lyrics and music. The band has relocated to Southern California and in the song, “Back Home” the vocalist conjures up nostalgia for this home that has been left. The lyrics read: “Memories and old cd’s of living easy/ Three o’clock bus stop; regards my elementary,/ I recall my sandy feet inside my car,/ Low tide, old airport has blessed me with my/ Favorite scar,” and the chorus is “Running back and forth so I can be/ Back Home.” The emotion of sad nostalgia which is conjured by the lyrics and the progression of guitar chords inspire a reflection on wherever or whatever “home” may be. The lyrics of the song suggest that the narrator views his home as his memories as well as the physical location itself.

White, Richard. A New History Of The American West. U.S.A: University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, 1991.

Richard White is a professor at the University of Washington. His A New History Of The American West focuses largely on how the nation’s perception of the West came to be. White includes an overview of what contributed to the creation of the image of the West and explains how the Western genre began in books, films, and ultimately became a staple of American culture. Though White doesn’t deny the existence of a mythic West, he does recognize the value it has in explaining how people perceived the West. White makes the observation that the mythic West was largely a figment of non-Westerners’ imaginations instead of a perception pushed by the people who actually lived there. Most importantly, White addresses the prevalence of fierce regional pride that is a trait of cultural identity in the West.

Wilder, Robert. Daddy Needs A Drink. New York: Bantam Dell, A Division of Random House Inc., 2005.

Robert Wilder’s collection of humorous personal essays highlights the challenges of raising his children in Santa Fe. Wilder writes a monthly column for the Santa Fe Reporter, has been a commentator for NPR’s Morning Edition, has published fiction and nonfiction pieces, and currently teaches Creative Writing. In a conversational style, Wilder explains the experience of moving from the East Coast to Santa Fe and his children’s transformation into New Mexicans. Wilder makes Santa Fe an accessible environment to readers who aren’t from there and a nostalgic one for people who have grown up in Santa Fe. In his essay, “Little Latina Of My Loins”, Wilder expresses his fascination over his young white daughter’s sudden immersion in New Mexican Hispanic culture as well as his own anxiety about “stealing” that culture. In his essay, Wilder writes “My wife had the camera poised, ready to snap the photos we would send to family all over the country, furthering their idea of Santa Fe as a mystical city that is both child friendly and happily ethnic. A place where a kid like Poppy could lose some of the whiteness that kept me so naïve and sheltered most of my childhood and young adult life.” (Wilder, 144) In the essay, Wilder uses his daughter as a metaphor to understand larger issues of culture and ethnic identity in modern Santa Fe.