True Inspiration

In the book Woman in Front of the Sun Judith Ortiz Cofer writes a memoir “My Rosetta” about her leaving childhood and transitioning into the woman she is today.  She starts her story in her classroom.  Her first impression of Sister Rosetta was of an unattractive woman who had to be here only to be under the watchful eye of Father Jones.  Cofer had no idea that Sister Rosetta would be the true reason why she is the person she is today.

Sister Rosetta was the one who introduced her to the world of writing and how to expand one’s horizons.  When Judith was caught reading about sex Sister Rosetta thew away that “trash” and gave Judith books with actual meaning.  Judith read books like The Odessy, some of Emily Brontes’ stories as well as Katherine Porter.  Judith was then drawn into the beauty of writing and what it had to offer to her.  Sister Rosetta was that person Judith needed in her life.  Judith did have her two parents to look up to but to her, Sister Rosetta was someone special.  Someone that taught her about life and how to stand up to what you believe in.  Sister Rosetta inspired Judith in a way that she will never forget.

I think Judith wrote her story, “My Rosetta”, to give thanks to Sister Rosetta and how she truly made a difference in her life.  She wanted to let us readers know how much of an impact she was and that she will never forget what Sister Rosetta did for her.  I enjoyed reading how Judith Cofer transitioned into the woman she is today.  She listened to what Sister Rosetta had to say and actually took those words to heart.  That really encourage me to really listen to what people have to say.  Either from a teacher, a priest, my parents, or just a friend and see how I can use their ideas into my life.  Cofer made me realize that I can take their ideas and yet still know who I am. 

Today I am doing a reflection of Judith Ortiz Cofer’s book, Woman in Front of the Sun, and how I found her essay “And Are You a Latina Writer” interesting and meaningful to me.  She has a lot of valuable points on how she became the writer she is today.  In respect to Judith Cofer I have a few reasons on how her essay made an impact on me. 

I like when Judith Ortiz Cofer talks about what it is means to her being a Puerto Rican American writer.  I like this part because she is claiming her heritage and knowing her real country, Puerto Rico.  She knows who she is and the way to balance both her cultures.  This is a what makes her the kind of writer she is today.  I can relate to her because me parents come from different backgrounds and it is great to grab certain characteristics and have those make me the person I am today.

I found that she doesn’t need others to “authenticate” her work interesting from a writer’s point of view.  I found it interesting because I would have thought most writers would want other opinions instead of keeping to themselves. I usually just have someone look over my writing to check for grammar and spelling.  I believe Judith knows what she is talking about already and doesn’t need someone to tell her or suggest something that she already knows.

I found when she questions her language interesting from a reader’s point of view because she is able to isolate herself and write about things that truly mean to her from both cultures.  I found this inspirational.  She doesn't ignore a part of her but educates herself herself and educate the world through her writings.

My very favorite part of her essay was when she stated “I know what I am because my puertorricannes was not awarded to me , it is apart of me.” It is my favorite part because she knows who she is and stands proudly against her heritage.  She doesn’t hide but embraces her culture and shows us readers how proudly she is to be the person she is today.  She didn’t have to earn her heritage and how they are but she shows it by the way she acts or writes.

As you have already read Judith Cofer shows us readers to be proud of our culture and to find who we really are.  Not only as a person but people who know their heritage and come to learn about it and themselves.  It makes me want to educate myself on where I come from and how my heritage reflects myself today.