Repression/Ralliement

[eva_rajzman]

What is a Morisco/Morisca, and why would their migration to New Spain be considered dangerous?
The immigration of Moriscos/Moriscas (Muslim converts) to New Spain was considered dangerous because deemed a threat to the establishment of a Catholic Nation (Cook 80). I talked about the notion of “communautarisme” in France in my former post and I think this is also relevant here. It is this fear to not have control over the entire population because of potential social fragmentation. It is also a fear of resistance if a group can rally together and challenge the social order.

How does the repression of the outward signs of Islam seem to have affected the Moriscos?
The repression of public Islamic practices by the Inquisition seems to have created internal theological debates. The case of Maria Ruiz illustrates how since they were forced to participate in Christians rituals while remaining personally Muslims in their private spheres, they came to be divided between two sets of beliefs (Cook 85).

In Bowen’s reading (166), I find very interesting how the term “Moor” was considered by Irving as an oppressive term like “n*” and that his statement was contested by African-American Muslims. For them, it was a historically significant term that represented resistance and cultural heritage. I think it conveys two ideas. First, that a term initially used by Europeans to designate Muslims and categorize them can be used as term of ralliement and resistance. That reminds me of the Muñoz reading and the concept of disidentification, that is turning a “stereotype” into a form of empowerment. Second, it illustrates how white people think they know a lot about the experiences of people of colour by studying history and the Muslim World but cannot truly comprehend because of their white bias.

[pashamkhan]

Another good example of disidentification. Thanks, @eva_rajzman.