Cofer's purpose is too show the world that Latina women are not sex objects. She is trying to reach anyone who will listen, especially guys who see them in this stereotype. She wants people to see that Latina women are more than just their provocative clothing; She wants to show everyone that they are also smart, and are useful for more than just menial jobs.
In her writing, she explained that in dressing provocatively, the Latina women in their culture, is a way to be cool in the hot temps of Latin America, as well as what they think is attractive. She also wrote that when she was to dress for a career day that she did not know how to dress, and she ended up just throwing a bit of everything into it. Stating this shows the stigma that society puts on Latina women as being destined for a menial or domestic work life. As a guest at a hotel, Cofer writes that a man, with his daughter by his side, started singing vulgar songs towards her and would not let her and her companion pass. It was an embarrassing display that other people laughed at. It probably would not have happened if she was a Caucasian woman.
This story was an eye-opener for why Latina women dress the way they do. I had no idea that it was part of their customs to dress the way they do. It was also appalling to me to read about how men treated them and automatically assumed they were whores.
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