Embodied Archive: Disability in Post-Revolutionary Mexican Cultural Production

Antebi, Susan

doi:doi:10.3998/mpub.11644714

Embodied Archive: Disability in Post-Revolutionary Mexican Cultural Production

Susan Antebi

Open Access

Embodied Archive focuses on perceptions of disability and racial difference in Mexico's early post-revolutionary period, from the 1920s to the 1940s. In this period, Mexican state-sponsored institutions charged with the education and health of the population sought to strengthen and improve the future of the nation, and to forge a more racially homogeneous sense of collective identity and history. Influenced by regional and global movements in eugenics and hygiene, Mexican educators, writers, physicians, and statesmen argued for the widespread physical and cognitive testing and categorization of schoolchildren, so as to produce an accurate and complete picture of "the Mexican child," and to carefully monitor and control forms of unwanted difference, including disability and racialized characteristics. Differences were not generally marked for eradication—as would be the case in eugenics movements in the US, Canada, and parts of Europe—but instead represented possible influences from a historically distant or immediate reproductive past, or served as warnings of potential danger haunting individual or collective futures.

Weaving between the historical context of Mexico's post-revolutionary period and our present-day world, Embodied Archive approaches literary and archival documents that include anti-alcohol and hygiene campaigns; projects in school architecture and psychopedagogy; biotypological studies of urban schoolchildren and indigenous populations; and literary approaches to futuristic utopias or violent pasts. It focuses in particular on the way disability is represented indirectly through factors that may have caused it in the past or may cause it in the future, or through perceptions and measurements that cannot fully capture it. In engaging with these narratives, the book proposes an archival encounter, a witnessing of past injustices and their implications for the disability of our present and future.

Citable Link

Published: 2021

Publisher: University of Michigan Press

License:

ISBN(s)

978-0-472-90242-2 (open access)
978-0-472-03850-3 (paper)

Series

Corporealities: Discourses of Disability

Subject

Disability Studies

Resources

A large rectangular tile plaque with a painted border, set into a stone wall. The painted words on the plaque read as follows: “Aquí se estableció en 1700 el Hospital del Divino Salvador para mujeres dementes, fundado en el siglo XVII por el carpintero José Sayago. —Dirección de monumentos coloniales de la república.” [In 1700, the Hospital of the Divine Savior for insane women, founded in the seventeenth century by the carpenter José Sayago, was established here. —Administration of colonial monuments of the republic].

Hospital del Divino Salvador para mujeres dementes (Hospital of the Divine Savior for Insane Women)

From Introduction

Fig. 1. A plaque at the entrance to the Archive of the Ministry of Public Health, at #39 Donceles, in Mexico City. The text reads:

Drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz of male and female figures, from the novel, Eugenia, 1919

From Chapter 1

Fig. 2. Eduardo Urzaiz included a number of his own drawings in his novel Eugenia, including this image representing inhabitants of a utopic, futuristic society, with clothing styles and idealized physiques suggestive of classical antiquity. Eduardo Urzaiz. Eugenia. (Esbozo novelesco de costumbres futuras). Mérida, Yucatán: Talleres Gráficos A. Manzanilla, 1919, p. 39.

Drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz depicting pregnant men, from the novel Eugenia, 1919.

From Chapter 1

Fig. 3. Another of Urzaiz’s drawings in Eugenia depicts a pregnant man, part of a eugenic, state-controlled system of reproduction in the fictional society of Villautopía. Eduardo Urzaiz. Eugenia. (Esbozo novelesco de costumbres futuras). Mérida, Yucatán: Talleres Gráficos A. Manzanilla, 1919, p. 66.

A bust-length drawing of a thin, white man with black hair and moustache, a narrow face, and arched eyebrows. He wears a jacket and bow tie. The original caption reads: “Fig. 106 —Tipo cerebral (José Martí, mártir de la libertad, orador y poeta)”; [Cerebral type (José Martí, martyr of liberty, orator and poet)].

Drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz depicting a bust-length portrait of José Martí

From Chapter 1

Fig. 4. A drawing of José Martí from Urzaiz’s book, Nociones de antropología pedagógica. In his discussion of human morphology, Urzaiz offers Martí as an example of “the cerebral type.” Nociones de antropología pedagógica. Prologue by Rodolfo Menéndez. Talleres gráficos manzanilla, 1918, p. 136, fig. 106. Private collection of Carlos Bojórquez Urzaiz.

An oil painting of a large space resembling a classroom, with two tall windows. The focal point is the standing figure of Charcot, a middle-aged man in a suit and bow tie, with one finger raised as he appears to lecture to a large group of seated men. To his left, a young woman in a long dress with an open neckline stands, partially collapsing backward with her eyes closed. A younger man catches her under the arms, and an older woman holds out her arms to assist. The seated men who observe the scene are dressed in black suits with white shirts. Some wear white aprons, and several appear to be taking notes or sketching.

Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière

From Chapter 1

Fig. 5. In this 1887 painting by André Brouillet, Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière, Charcot gives a clinical demonstration on the effects of hysteria. Wikimedia Commons.

A drawing of a painter’s studio. The artist, a young, lightskinned man with a moustache, sits before his easel, on which is a portrait in progress. The artist holds a palette in one hand and a paintbrush in the other. The sitter, a black man, appears on a stool, with his back to us.

Juan Gamboa Guzmán painting a portrait of 'el negro Miguel, el butifarrero'

From Chapter 1

Fig. 6. A drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz (under the pseudonym, Claudio Meex) depicting the painter, Juan Gamboa Guzmán creating a portrait of “el negro Miguel, el butifarrero” [the sausage-maker]. From Claudio Meex. Reconstrucción de hechos: Anécdotas Yucatecas Ilustradas. Mérida, Yucatán, 1943, p. 64. Biblioteca Nacional de México.

A drawing of a seated, elderly man with a beard. He wears sandals, a long tunic, and a fez. The figure is framed within a keyhole arch. The original caption reads, “Un juif de Tétouan atteint de maladie de Parkinson. Croquis fait par Charcot, au cours d’un voyage au Maroc, en 1889.” [A Jew from Tétouan with Parkinson’s disease. Sketch by Charcot, during a trip to Morocco in 1889.]

Un juif de Tétouan, atteint de maladie de Parkinson, sketch by Jean-Martin Charcot

From Chapter 1

Fig. 7. An 1889 drawing by Charcot from his Morocco diary. The caption reads, “Un juif de Tétouan atteint de maladie de Parkinson. Croquis fait par Charcot, au cours d’un voyage au Maroc, en 1889.” Plate 58, between pages 504 and 505, Henry Meige, “Charcot Artiste,” Nouvelle Iconographie de la Salpêtrière, vol. 11, F. Raymond, A. Joffroy, A. Fournier, Paul Richer, and Gilles de Tourette, eds. Masson et Cie, 1898, pp. 498–505. Bibliothèque Interuniversitaire de Santé, Paris.

A list of terms to define different types and degrees of “irregularity” or “abnormality” in schoolchildren. The first terms listed are “idiots,” “imbeciles,” and “feebleminded.” The left side of the page shows the presumed causes of the irregularity, in brackets, and on the right side of the page are listed proposed methods of education or treatment for each category.

Clasificación del Dr. Santamarina

From Chapter 2

Fig. 8. A classification chart of abnormality in schoolchildren, created by Dr. Rafael Santamarina, featuring causes, types of abnormality, and proposed solutions. “Clasificación del Dr. Santamarina.” Caja 35514, Ref. 139, exp 16, “Niños anormales y retardados” 1927, folio 20. Archivo General de la Nación.

A sketch depicting five peasants in simple clothing, with no facial features shown. One man lies on the ground, a bottle in his hand, while another stands with a drink in hand, his face obscured by a large hat. A woman stands to his right, carrying a child on her back and a baby on her front. To their right, a stout, grinning man in a top hat and three-piece suit, with a whip in his hand and bags marked with dollar signs in one hand and at his feet, sits in front of a maguey plant.

Anti-alcohol publicity illustrated by Diego Rivera

From Chapter 2

Fig. 9. A sketch by Diego Rivera depicting a causal relationship between capitalism, alcoholism, and the exploitation of peasants. Published in 1929 in the journal El Sembrador as part of an anti-alcohol campaign by the Ministry of Public Education, under the presidency of Emilio Portés Gil. El Sembrador #4, 5 de junio de 1929, pp. 8–9. Caja 35531, Ref. 146, exp. 79, folio 164. Archivo General de la Nación.

A typewritten school inspection form, filled out by hand in pen. Information includes general features of the building and its current condition.

School inspection report from Mexican Department of Psychopedagogy and Hygiene, 1935

From Chapter 3

Fig. 10. Detail from an inspection report on the hygienic conditions of a primary school. The report was completed by Dr. Miguel Cabrera on January 23, 1935, and documents the poor sanitary conditions of the school, as well as its “sad, dilapidated” appearance. Caja 35540, 17-13-5-94. “Informe sobre las condiciones higienicas de la escuela 13–9 III-421.1 (II-21-13-9)-1. Escuela Primaria #13–9 Pino Suárez #44 cd. Archivo General de la Nación.

A rectangular grid containing data on each of the classrooms. Information includes size, height, ventilation, type of floor, number of doors and windows, lighting, and number of students.

School inspection report from Mexican Department of Psychopedagogy and Hygiene, 1935, page 2

From Chapter 3

Fig. 11. Detail from the second page of Dr. Cabrera’s report. The chart includes measurements of various rooms, quality of ventilation and lighting, actual number of children in each room, and number there should be. Caja 35540, 17-13-5-94. “Informe sobre las condiciones higienicas de la escuela 13–9. III-421.1 (II-21-13-9)-1. Escuela Primaria #13–9 Pino Suárez #44 cd. Archivo General de la Nación.

A page marked with gridlines, and the title “Examen patológico” [pathology exam]. The words “actitudes” [attitudes] and “consecuencias” [consequences] are printed on the right side of the page. Fig 13 alt text: An organizational chart. The words “Instituto Nacional de Psicopedagogía” [National Institute of Psychopedagogy] appear within a circle at the center of the page. Lines emanate from the center outward to seven other circles, as well as other geometric shapes, each enclosing the name of a department or subdepartment within the organization.

Detail from physical and physiological exam for primary school students in Mexico

From Chapter 3

Fig. 12. Detail from a physical and physiological exam for primary school students. The list of “attitudes” includes “hernias,” “vertebral column,” “bones and joints,” “orthopedic defects,” “habitual attitude,” and “speech defects.” Questions to be answered under “consequences” include “Can the student participate in group sports?” “Does he/she need to be sent to a special institution?” “Does he/she need preventive medication?” and “mentality.” Caja 35479, ref. 134, exp. 21, 1923. “[R]egistro escolar del alumno” Jesús A. Rojas. Folio 15. Archivo General de la Nación.

An organizational chart. The words “Instituto Nacional de Psicopedagogía” [National Institute of Psychopedagogy] appear within a circle at the center of the page. Lines emanate from the center outward to seven other circles, as well as other geometric shapes, each enclosing the name of a department or subdepartment within the organization.

Organizational chart of the National Institute of Psychopedagogy, Mexico

From Chapter 3

Fig. 13. Organizational chart from the Instituto Nacional de Psicopedagogía [National Institute of Psychopedagogy], founded in 1936. Caja 35520, Ref III/161 (III-5)-2. Instituto Nacional de Psicopedagogía, 17-13-9-276 (1936), Folio 91. Archivo General de la Nación.

An organizational chart within a vertically oriented rectangle. The words “Servicio de psicofisiología” [psychophysiology service] appear within a circle at the top of the page. A line descends from this circle to another rectangle in which the functions of the service are listed, and below this are other geometric shapes with names of the various laboratories within the service.

Organizational chart of the Psychophysiology service

From Chapter 3

Fig. 14. Organizational chart from the Psychophysiology Service, within the National Institute of Psychopedagogy. Instituto Nacional de Psicopedagogía. Secretaría de Educación Pública, Departamento de Psicopedagogía y Médico Escolar. Talleres gráficos de la nación, 1936, p. 23.

Drawing of a woman wearing a long dress, standing upright and resting each of her hands on the shoulders of a small boy, one of whom uses a crutch. A third, smaller boy stands close to her legs.

Drawing illustrating the Special Education Service within the National Institute of Psychopedagogy, 1936

From Chapter 3

Fig. 15. Drawing illustrating the Special Education Service within the National Institute of Psychopedagogy, 1936. The drawing shows a woman standing protectively over three children, one with a crutch, and all with mournful expressions. Instituto Nacional de Psicopedagogía. Secretaría de Educación Pública, Departamento de Psicopedagogía y Médico Escolar. Talleres gráficos de la nación, 1936, p. 77.

Blueprint for a Mexico City primary school designed by Juan O'Gorman

From Chapter 3

Fig. 16. Architectural blueprint for a school designed by Juan O’Gorman to be built in the Colonia Industrial in 1932. Archivo Histórico de la Ciudad de México, Planoteca, Módulo 4, planero 2, fajilla 4. Clave 415.6 (073)/93.

Detail from the Mexican Eugenics Society’s printed bulletin, in which the society’s emblem is described and depicted. The emblem appears within a circle on the left side of the page. Two arms reach upward from out of the sea, each holding a lit torch. Behind them is a large wheel. Above the circled emblem are printed the words “Sociedad Eugénica Mexicana” [Mexican Eugenic Society], and below it “Para el mejoramiento de la raza” [For the improvement of the race].

Emblem of the Mexican Eugenics Society for the Improvement of the Race

From Chapter 4

Fig. 17. Emblem from the Mexican Eugenics Society for the Improvement of the Race, published in each edition of the Society’s Bulletin. The text on the right reads as follows: “El emblema representa dos brazos de los sexos masculine y femenino, empuñando la antorcha del saber, cuyas flamas se confunden en el ideal que inspira la enseñanza eugénica; todo esto emergiendo del mar agitado por la ignorancia y las pasiones. Al fondo, se destaca la ponderosa rueda del progreso.” [The emblem represents two arms of the masculine and feminine sexes, holding up the torch of knowledge, whose flames merge into the ideal that eugenic teaching inspires; all this emerges from the sea, agitated by ignorance and passions. In the background, the powerful wheel of progress stands out.] Sociedad Eugénica Mexicana para el mejoramiento de la raza, Boletín num 8, 6 de oct. de 1932, p. 2. Caja 35505, “educación sexual,” Archivo General de la Nación, folio 225 vuelta.

Photograph of a man standing near the corner of a room. He wears a hat, white trousers, and a dark-colored serape or shawl with a geometric design on one side. His eyes appear to be closed or partially closed.

Photograph of a Tarasco man

From Chapter 4

Fig. 18. Photograph of a Tarasco man with the subtitle “indiferencia, apatía, autism” [indifference, apathy, autism]. José Gómez Robleda, “La cara de los Tarascos” Revista Mexicana de Sociología, vol. 3, no. 2, 1941, pp. 83–91, between pages 90 and 91. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Hemeroteca Nacional de México.

Photograph of a painted wooden mask with two horns coming out of the head, and large eyes. The mouth is partially open with the tongue protruding.

Photograph of a Tarasco devil mask

From Chapter 4

Fig. 19. Photograph of a Tarasco mask, from the article “La cara de los Tarascos.” The caption reads: “Máscara tarasca de frente estrecha, sin pelo, pómulos prominentes, nariz abultada y dientes con anomalías de implantación” [Tarasco mask with broad forehead, no hair, prominent cheeks, bulging nose, and dental anomalies]. José Gómez Robleda, “La cara de los Tarascos.” Revista Mexicana de Sociología, vol. 3, no. 2, 1941, pp. 83–91, between pages 88 and 89. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Hemeroteca Nacional de México.

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Embodied Archive: Disability in Post-Revolutionary Mexican Cultural Production

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Hospital del Divino Salvador para mujeres dementes (Hospital of the Divine Savior for Insane Women)

Drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz of male and female figures, from the novel, Eugenia, 1919

Drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz depicting pregnant men, from the novel Eugenia, 1919.

Drawing by Eduardo Urzaiz depicting a bust-length portrait of José Martí

Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière

Juan Gamboa Guzmán painting a portrait of 'el negro Miguel, el butifarrero'

Un juif de Tétouan, atteint de maladie de Parkinson, sketch by Jean-Martin Charcot

Clasificación del Dr. Santamarina

Anti-alcohol publicity illustrated by Diego Rivera

School inspection report from Mexican Department of Psychopedagogy and Hygiene, 1935

School inspection report from Mexican Department of Psychopedagogy and Hygiene, 1935, page 2

Detail from physical and physiological exam for primary school students in Mexico

Organizational chart of the National Institute of Psychopedagogy, Mexico

Organizational chart of the Psychophysiology service

Drawing illustrating the Special Education Service within the National Institute of Psychopedagogy, 1936

Blueprint for a Mexico City primary school designed by Juan O'Gorman

Emblem of the Mexican Eugenics Society for the Improvement of the Race

Photograph of a Tarasco man

Photograph of a Tarasco devil mask

Embodied Archive: Disability in Post-Revolutionary Mexican Cultural Production

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