Michael Vaddi

Intro to Latino Cultures

Professor Mendez

October 28, 2022

Borderlands and its Implications

According to Merriam-Webster, the term “border” can be described as “the edge or

boundary of something, or the part near it.” In relation to Latino Studies, Nicole M. Guidotti-

Hernández says, “the boundaries of Spanish and Anglophone empires and of the nation-state

pervade how we theorize borders and borderlands in the field.” By drawing from both of these

definitions, we can say that the term “the Borderlands” is not only a physical area, or merely

space surrounding a border, but also a theoretical, cultural border where those who may identify

with two separate cultures, whether by choice or by circumstance, are learning to live as part of

both cultures simultaneously, balancing each part out as best they can. In the poem Bilingual

Blues by Gustavo Pérez Firmat, the author uses code-switching and various other writing

techniques such as wordplay to better illustrate the meaning of the term “Borderlands” in relation

to the US- Caribbean border, and some of the struggles that are faced by those who find

themselves in this theoretical borderland.

Bilingual Blues portrays Pérez Firmat’s struggle to fit in to the culture of the US as well

as juggling both cultures internally. One main feature of this poem is the bilingualism which

shines through in the entire poem, even switching back and forth between English and Spanish

within stanzas. Aside from the obvious implications of codeswitching, which is showcasing

dialogue changing from English to Spanish, common with people who may identify with both
cultures, I think that the codeswitching used here is important within the context of this text.

From the very start of the poem, Pérez Firmat makes it clear that he is in a strange state of trying

to be a part of both Cuban and American cultures, saying, “I have mixed feelings about

everything” (Pérez Firmat, line 2). Looking at the rest of the poem through this lens shows that

the codeswitching is very much intentional, nodding to the fact that he has “mixed” feelings

about trying to fit in to American culture as a Cuban, and that trying to integrate English and

Spanish into his vocabulary is a difficult task. Speaking in both languages and switching back

and forth constantly, is a representation of Pérez Firmat’s feelings of trying to be part of both

American and Cuban cultures. The message of “Bilingual Blues” shines through here as he

portrays these struggles, or blues, of being bilingual.

Another thing that Pérez Firmat heavily utilizes is wordplay and aspects of Cuban culture

to tie into the theme of borders and Borderlands. In the first two lines he says, “Soy un ajiaco de

contradicciones. I have mixed feelings about everything.” (Pérez Firmat, lines 1-2). Ajiaco is a

soup which is common in Cuba and contains many different ingredients which all come together

to create a cohesive soup. The full line translated reads, “I am a [soup] of contradictions.” Based

off of this, Pérez seems to be using the soup, Ajiaco, as a metaphor for himself, containing pieces

from both American and Cuban culture (ingredients) which make up a cohesive dish. Another

interesting piece of information about Ajiaco comes from Cuban ethnologist Fernando Ortiz,

who says that “ajiaco was a meal typical of the Taíno, and was an appropriate metaphor for Cuba

being a melting pot,” with the Taíno people being an indigenous people group native to the

Caribbean islands. Lines 10-13 talks about some of the differences in language that he has come

across while trying to become familiarized with American culture. “You say tomato, I say tu

madre; You say potato, I say Pototo.” These words and phrases sound similar in both languages
but have very different meanings. “Tu madre” literally translates to “your mom” which can be as

simple as that but also can be used with a negative connotation, similar to its use in English.

“Pototo” is a popular tourism service in Cuba, which is most likely the closest association to the

word “potato” that Pérez Firmat made in his mind. Another interesting section is found in lines

3-5, “Name your tema, I’ll hedge; name your cerca, I’ll straddle it like a Cubano” (Pérez Firmat).

The words “tema” and “cerca” translate to “theme” and “fence.” In this sentence, he’s saying

“name your fence, and I’ll straddle it like a Cubano,” alluding to the Cuban border. One

definition of the word “straddle,” from the Cambridge Dictionary, is “ Something that straddles a

line, such as a border or river, exists on each side of it or goes across it.” In this context, I believe

Pérez Firmat is specifically talking about the Borderlands between Cuba and the US, and how

many other Cubans, like himself, find themselves in this space, trying to fit in to both sides of the

border.

The poem Bilingual Blues is an extremely well-written and thought-out piece of art in

which Gustavo Pérez Firmat does an excellent job portraying some of the struggles he goes

through while trying to straddle the cultural border between the US and Cuba. There are several

more phrases and lines in this poem which have deeper meanings than the surface level, which is

an incredible writing technique the author uses, as it will really resonate with those who may be

going through the same experiences. Gustavo Pérez Firmat did a great job at showcasing the idea

of the Borderlands and the struggles of trying to fit in to two cultures simultaneously.