Humanities: Analytical Outline: Read 23 pages of short text and write a one-page single spaced assignment

Corridos

I ) In the article Corridos and la pura verdad: Myths and Realities of the Mexican Ballad by José Pablo Villalobos and Juan Carlos Ramírez-Pimienta the authors seek to educate the reader on what a constitutes a corrido as well as how they have evolved over time. The article poignantly points out the glorification of narco culture that some corridos have come to feature. Also included is corridos in popular culture through an analysis of the Tigres Del Norte’s style and use of corridos in their content.

II )The very word “corrido” finds its root in the verb corer, which means to run. This origin parallels the words ability to spread new like wildfire. Corridos are ballads that Mexican people have undertaken as a way to speak of major events in otherwise media repressed regions that dates all the way back to the Mexican Revolution. They are able to tell parts of history that those in power would otherwise like to keep private, and because of this they are a very powerful tool for the public. By conveying these points the article by Villalobos and Ramirez-Pimienta is able to show just how important corridos are to Mexican culture. The article goes on to further push this home by highlighting death of everyman Mexican journalist Felix Miranda and the subsequent corridos written in commemoration of him. This is effective because it shows the journalistic prowess of the corrido, which in a way immortalized Miranda whose murder is otherwise unsolved. A big portion of the article is dedicated to showing how narco culture in Latin America is romanticized, and that even a powerful tool for truth like the corrido can be corrupted. The authors do not completely demonize or praise narco culture but rather point out almost objectively how it has affected the places it has pervaded. One thing they pointedly object to is the paying for by the drug lords for corridos to be made that paint them in a light they do not deserve. The authors show that this is exploitation of what corridos are truly meant for and that even if the narcos do some good, the drugs still make their way into the very communities they pretend to be the protectors of. It is a very important to the authors to let the reader know that the corrido is nothing if not a tool for truth, so this use of it is more than frowned upon. This necessity of truth is reflected in the article’s title which includes “la pura verdad” or, the pure truth. The article concludes with a section detailing how corridos are used in contemporary society through a look into the band, Los Tigres Del Norte. This band uses the corrido format to write some of their songs, and to the best of their ability adheres to the truth-seeking nature of them. The excerpts from an interview with the band’s singer shows the level of transparency that he tries to include in the composition of the band’s sons. This is an effective close because it ties everything thematically together.

III ) This article is a very educational venture as well as a look into a side of Mexican culture most people do not know about. It is very effective in almost every way. From teaching the reader about what a corrido is to having the reader question the content provided by being extremely thought provoking. The article’s journey through the history of corridos is fruitful in its pursuit without dragging on or becoming tedious. The thesis is woven elegantly throughout the article’s content because it is neither blatant nor hidden into intellectual obscurity. In showing how corridos inevitably were corrupted by those seeking the infamy they are able to give it is dually shown that the preservation of the medium’s transparency must be kept under scrutiny by their audiences, in essence it lives and dies by the sword. All the information given is comprehensive and well-researched as evidenced by the article’s many sources. In conclusion, this is a well thought out piece that is able to effectively teach the reader about the subject matter intended.