EXTRA CREDIT #2 Karen Anzoategui Performance of SER!

What a performance. I am still amazed at the whole show she gave us. From the live band, to the music selection, to the performance of her life growing up. As Profe mentioned to me earlier, I, too was able to see the different stages of reaching Mestiza Consciousness. Both Karen and her mother definitely suffered from historical amnesia and internalized homophobia. Karen, however entered the serpent at an early age. She knew she was different in terms of sexuality. It took Karen a long time to explore and accept that. She was definitely in the Nepantla stage several times, as she was torn between living her life in Argentina and in Los Angeles. Karen was always eager to learn about the history of her country. Since birth, she has been a fan of Diego Maradona, an Argentinian soccer player from the mid-80's and 90's. Through Diego, she was able to face her Shadow Beast several times. It was through these experiences that Karen learned to let go of everything that was harming her internally, physically, and mentally. She decided to move away from Argentina and back to the U.S. in order to grow and learn about herself and her insecurities. Once she was able to freely come out to her family, she was able to reach Mestiza Consciousness. It took her many painful experiences, like her father beating her mother, to her own mother beating Karen and expecting her to follow certain roles, that she was able to come to terms with her own self. As I had previously seen Catholic School Daze, her coming out performance, I was able to compare both performances to understand Karen as a whole. This performance of her life story definitely was one of the best I have ever seen. She is an amazing and well-rounded performer.