La crítica cultural comprometida: el discurso sobre Carlos Monsiváis en las universidades anglo-estadounidenses

Abstract

The work and character of Carlos Monsiváis have been acknowledged as making a fundamental contribution to cultural criticism on Mexico. This has happened in a context in which there appears to be little relevant research carried out in Mexican universities. This essay examines the predominant interpretation of Monsiváis's work within the universities of Great Britain and the United States. This interpretation suggests that Monsiváis's interests and writings broadly encapsulate the diversity of Mexican culture and seems to recommend attention to this source rather than any other interpretation. This essay argues that some key exponents of Monsiváis's work in British and American universities offer interpretations of his work from what can be identified as progressive positions, which makes such interpretations dependent upon specific political paradigms. This hegemonic interpretation of Monsiváis's literary work and public action leads to the construction of a discourse that examines, in Mexican culture, only that which seems to contribute to a political cause. Critical readings and further documentation on Mexico, beyond Monsiváis, would show the benefits and the limitations of this approach. This essay suggests there is a need to broaden both political approaches and documentation in order to offer a more comprehensive image of Mexican culture.

The work and character of Carlos Monsiváis have been acknowledged as making a fundamental contribution to cultural criticism on Mexico. This has happened in a context in which there appears to be little relevant research carried out in Mexican universities. This essay examines the predominant interpretation of Monsiváis's work within the universities of Great Britain and the United States. This interpretation suggests that Monsiváis's interests and writings broadly encapsulate the diversity of Mexican culture and seems to recommend attention to this source rather than any other interpretation. This essay argues that some key exponents of Monsiváis's work in British and American universities offer interpretations of his work from what can be identified as progressive positions, which makes such interpretations dependent upon specific political paradigms. This hegemonic interpretation of Monsiváis's literary work and public action leads to the construction of a discourse that examines, in Mexican culture, only that which seems to contribute to a political cause. Critical readings and further documentation on Mexico, beyond Monsiváis, would show the benefits and the limitations of this approach. This essay suggests there is a need to broaden both political approaches and documentation in order to offer a more comprehensive image of Mexican culture.

La obra y figura de Carlos Monsiváis tienen reconocimiento como expresión fundamental de la crítica cultural sobre México. Esto ocurre en un contexto en que parecen faltar investigaciones de este tipo provenientes de las universidades mexicanas. Este ensayo examina la recepción predominante de la obra de Monsiváis en las universidades anglo-estadounidenses. Dicha interpretación afirma que los textos e intereses de Monsiváis capturan suficientemente la diversidad de la cultura de México y tiende a sugerir la adopción de esta fuente sobre las demás existentes. Por ello, aquí se plantea que algunos estudiosos clave de Monsiváis en las universidades de Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña interpretan la obra del mexicano desde puntos de vista que se identifican como progresistas y sus lecturas dependen por lo tanto de paradigmas políticos específicos. Esta interpretación hegemónica de la obra literaria y de la acción pública de Monsiváis conduce a la construcción de un discurso que estudia en la cultura mexicana aquello que parece contribuir a una causa política. La lectura crítica y la documentación sobre México más allá de Monsiváis podrían evidenciar los alcances y las limitaciones de esta propensión. Este trabajo sugiere que se requiere una ampliación tanto de la documentación como de los parámetros de orientación política, para ofrecer una imagen más comprehensiva de la cultura mexicana.