Exploring Chicana Feminism and Identity

Videos for Week 6 Videos for Week 6 Ariana Brown * Ariana Brown - "Dear White Girls in my Spanish Class" @WANPOETRY * The pain of white girls taking her language as a joke and not as what it means to her * she doesnt feel enough in her own culture and its partly because of the way white people interacted with and chose to handle her language * and in a way she could not exist outside of her body * she was deemed stranger by her own * she needed to reconnect with her group through a language class. * Ariana Brown - Volver, Volver * Takeaways * Mexico used to hold a third of the united states * Is home to th largest spanish speaking country * Cant speak native tongue in classrooms in the fifties in 50 * 48 percent of black population resides in latin america * Too many identities to feel * Mexicans who speak spanish are also called nigger’ * First time heard mariachi was in a restaurant at 5 * Intense experience * Easier to communicate with a stranger that her grandmother * Afraid despite 4 years of spanish classes that in front of her family “[her] shivering tongue will shake to a western rhythm, dry out, and die” * In austin its normal to insult a mexican street name, extract its religion and graze it irreverently down to gua - ta - loop instead of troubling oneself with guadalupe (pronounced like guada leu peh) * The patroness of mexican people, la morena, dark like we ar, sacred like our names have always been. * “I am always amazed that the ability to forget history is a choice for some people, instead of an ancestral battle against hating the self and all its words for being.” 2:02 * The question arising are you immigrant if the place youre traveling to was yours to begin with. * When correcting other people’s spanish, is often met with a laugh and “i’m white” as if its anything more than an excuse for sorry. * Despite excuses pronunciation is not difficult, each letter in the spanish alphabet will almost always make the same sound no matter the word it appeas in * Ariana Brown - "Curanderismo" @WANPOETRY * Curanderismo means healing * The Spaniards captured the Aztec capital in 1521. Did you know that Aztecs, unlike other Native groups, still live in the capital today? * Every dark person is taught to recognize the soft wrists of cowards, to observe and lie in shadows, marking a return, or at least a survival. * So here we begin. Curanderismo, a folk healing indigenous to Mexico, which arose after the conquest. The union of Indio, Spaniard, and African traditions, blended, to cure susto. * They know nothing of touching the world without an impulse to own. And they call us dirty, as if being covered in the earth is wrong. As if the dirt has ever held our throats and threatened to kill our mothers. * It takes love to name the damage on one’s own body * To say, I deserve freedom here. II. I am a woman who is afraid to say depression. * I am learning the uses of rosemary oil. * 1:37 * I'm trying not to be embarrassed about my Spanish. * 1:40 * Divided country girl. Girl who washes herself with poems * 1:44 * and finally gets to the therapist. * 1:46 * Lucky, that out of fifty counselors, * 1:48 * I'm assigned the one who is also a curandera. * 1:51 * Who tells me, "Ariana, it is okay * 1:54 * to not know the names of your ancestors. * 1:56 * To have lost the specifics. * 1:58 * The Western world would have you believe * 2:00 * that only what is written is true. * * We never really lose our heritage. * 2:05 * Do you feel them in the room with you now? * 2:08 * Do you feel your feet still on the ground? * 2:12 * I will teach you a song and you may sing it however you please. * 2:15 * The melody is not important. The feeling is. * 2:18 * It's how you've known all along that you are connected, * 2:21 * that you know what you need, that you have never been alone. * II. The prayer of the four directions * 2:28 * began in the temples of Tenochtitlan. * 2:31 * After Cortes and his men burned the temples, * 2:34 * they built Spanish churches in their place. * 2:36 * I read in a book my curandera gave me * 2:39 * that energy is preserved. * 2:40 * That to this day, * 2:41 * Aztecs return to the site of the temples, face the east, * 2:45 * and continue to pray. The lesson: * 2:49 * If you are alive, you are descended from a people who refused to die. * 2:55 * Nothing is more sacred than you. * 3:00 * Thank you. * Mercedez Holtry - My Blood Is Beautiful * Wow * Mercedez Holtry - We're Here to Stay * Wow * Mercedez Holtry - Brown Woman * They dont take shit * Tell them they arent enough and they will prove you down * They love passionately but wont be taken for light, for joke * Denice Frohman - Accents * English sits in her mother’s mouth remixed * Her words are more than english * Her mouth has too many keys for the flat concrete english language * Sometimes Hands are all we got, but our accents lead us home * Denice Frohman // "Abuela" * More than dance, its more than language and its how she connects back to her abuela’s younger self and hte hardships she faced so that she feels she comes from something * Dominique Christina & Denice Frohman - No Child Left Behind * Introduction Summary (Morales & Hurtado-Ocampo): * Summarize the main themes and purpose of the book's introduction. What will this book focus on? What topics are you most excited or curious to learn more about? * (Answer in 1 paragraph.) * Chicana, Latinx, and Mixed-Race Women's Poetry/Spoken Word: * Choose one poet/spoken word artist from this week’s material. * What was powerful or significant about their work? * What message were they sharing? * Include specific examples and cite the artist. (Answer in 2 paragraphs.) * * * Gloria Anzaldúa + Intersectionality: * Who is Gloria Anzaldúa and why is she a foundational figure in Chicana Feminism? In your own words, define intersectionality and explain how it connects to her work. Cite sources from the course materials. * (Answer in 1-2 paragraphs.) * * Cultural Politics (Yañez Lecture – Chicana: The Politics of Chicana Power!): * Discuss the key ideas from this lecture. What does cultural politics mean in this context, and how do Chicanas use culture as a form of power and resistance? (Answer in 2 paragraphs.) Chicana Lit Notes Chicana Lit Video Lecture Notes * Since 1848 mexicans have been writing about their experience, the was between mexicans and americans was over * Constant flux, people living in Us and migration across the us mexico border * Contributes a lot to how we understand mexicans today, constant renovation of how we see culture * Common themes * Identity * Historical timeline * Meso america * Mexico culture * Social and political protest against exploitation * Historical backdrop and context * Oppression and forms of exploitations * Immigration and migration experience * Forced migrations * Issues with migration * Socio Economic issues * Border issues * Dominate narrative * Negative terms Couched upon or thrown on brown people specific for mexico/ latin american * Life in the barrio * Mexican chicano area * Unity of mexican people * In between space * Aztec or meso american concept of the in between space * So “napala” * Mexicans born in the america are seen as distanced from mexico/ not accepted as ‘true americans’ * Still facing racism and being rejected within the dominant society * Many reasons for being seen as distanced from mexico, or embraced in mexico * Even when they assimilate or associate with the whiteness of dominant us citizens * Their identity is somewhere between both cultures * Creation of unique identity, a distinct chicanx culture * Selena- movie * Migration * Coming to U.S. and their experiences * Historical the ancestry has been walking those lands for centuries but now have political consequences * Document racial prejudices * Injustices * That havent been at the storefront of their issues as migrants * Difficulty adjusting to a new culture and language barriers * Learning english * Leaving their land * Usually seen as criminals * Reasons for migration * Socioeconomic reasons * Poverty * Refugees * Forced migration * Cultural * Ritualistic * Modern * * Historical migration (native heritage) * Historically migrating across western hemisphere due to native mesoamerican heritage * Political protest * 60-70s * Corkie gonzales from colorado coming out of the chicano movement era * Galvinized the chicano youth * poems * I am walkeen or iron walking * Power of protest/ poems * Works Denounced discrimination * Demanded civil rights * Why are they never able to access their full citizenship or full civil rights if theyre “american citizens” * 70’s to present * Cultural identity * Native indigenous * Mexican identity, culture, heritage, pride * Current spoken work artists * Performance poetry * Political protest through songs * Call to action instead of just protest * Chicana writers in the 70’s * Mexican wome writers * Influence * Expand the literature, academically * Issues of race * Essential to understanding oppression * Chicana is a socially conscious and politicized term and used to identify the writers and poets * Intersectionality * Analysing racism and class gender sexuality, racism that intersect and impact the sort of oppression they’ll experience * You can be oppressed and still have privilege in other ways. * Oppose patriarchy(privilege for men) * Decentering them in everything * Nothing really wrong on that but> * Imbalance of power is under that * Patriarchal racial capitalism * Imbalance in power * * Violence * Against women is common * Heightened violence * Not as valued as much, unfair wages * Sometimes within their own communities * And always outside their community * Sexuality is gonna be key in terms of some of their words * European religion life, christianity, catholicism * But sensuality and sexuality * Writing about the good parts of sexuality too, a variety of relationships * Pleasure dynamic * Ideas stem from somewhere, couched in history and mainstream movies, bible’s where these have been laid out * Lesbian writers tackle those issues and issues * Demeaning stereotypes that they had to fight back/write back agiant * Very damaging, they frame people of color * Like youre being set up * Cant easily embody their full humanity * Common stereotypes * Docile * Not intellectual or passionate * Promiscuous * Very negative terms, its hard to shake * Hard to move forward past those dehumanizing and demeaning * Current time * Diverse issues * Communities evolve and more issues come up and are more salient * Trans issues * Docu qqueer * Education * Challenging to define * Thats a good thing * Its very diverse in issues and lit about it * Everyone can express * Its an influx * Athena arthurs * Continue to tell stories and history tat has been suppressed * Ethnic’s study bill * 2281 * Proposed in 2010 * The jhouse bill sought to erradicate ethnic studies * Targeted the mexican american studies in arizona * Banned knowledge: Mexican American Studies * AZ HB 2281 (2010) targets “Latinos” * Similar classes intact (ethnic and Freire school) * chicanx/latinx authors * Illegal books * Not that long ago, banned in arizona’ * House on mango street * Centers experiences on mexican american girl growing up in america * Bless me ultima * Young MA boy names o’neil growing up in mexico * Chicano classics * Borderlands * Chicana feminist tex * Well known and prestigous * In feminist courses and university colleges * The kids taking these classes in highschool, tuscan AZ * School officials just went in, took the books * These works are still being attacked or banned * Many efforts by scholars and activist * Librotraficante * Trafficking of banned books * In 2012 caravan oxnard CA to AZ to build libraries and put the books back there * Smuggle the books * All the authors were not mexican or latino but if they questioned the status quo * Deemed dangerous * Mind altering prose stickers * When you go to school and see nothing about yourself, its a violent * A majority of students in cali are mexican * The power of your intellectual prowess * Anti intellectual america, “i go to school but i do not learn” * Relationship to school, relationship to learning and what does that mean to you * So many factors and pedigogees * Expand your mind, and it doesnt always have to do with memorizing facts * Robust learning and enjoying it. CF Fundimentals https://palomar.instructure.com/courses/53753 Discussion: Class Introductions and Chicana Feminism Fundamentals 1. Have you ever taken a Chicano Studies course? If yes, please explain. If not, why did you want to take a Chicano Studies class? I have yet to take a chicano studies course, this will be my first. I am taking this class because I want to learn the culture and have the knowledge and awareness to understand and be able to interact with the Chicana’s in my community, and better my relationships with them, and with my girlfriend’s family. 2. On the syllabus which readings or weekly units (NOT course outcomes) are of interest to you and why? Basically, what are you excited to learn about? I know next to nothing so I’m hoping that the topics chosen will really help me get a good grasp of the stories and important people and cultural history. Drawing two titles, I would pick Chicana Spirituality and Healing as well as Creating Chicana Feminist Spaces, Languages, and the Politics of "Angry Women". The first one sounded cool and the second one piqued my interest. I’m excited for all of it and to be able to see as much as I can of what this course has to offer, hopefully I’ll be able to retain most of it. 3. What qualities do you attribute to a "good student"? What good qualities do you have as a student? A good student has communication, asks questions or does more research on their own and is open to continuous learning and feedback. And ideally has decent adaptability and memory, I fall short in the latter two. The rest I hope I exhibit in this area of my education. I have a learning disability, and lately some memory problems. I am trying to preserve the past and I think that's what matters. 4. What are your goals as a Palomar College student? I don't have any goals currently, I am exploring my interests. 5. Please add anything you wish to share. You can also add a fun picture; in this picture you can add a photo of you and family, your pet, or other fun activities. I have a cat and her name is Roxy. 6. What does feminism mean to you, and do you consider yourself a feminist, why or why not? Highlight some of the terms you read about in the glossary. (2 paragraphs) Feminism is the belief of equality for women, in all aspects of life and it can be shown in many ways. I have yet to do anything physically to stand up for women’s rights within my community and as I get older I wonder where the opportunities to start are hiding but I'm hoping they arise soon. I would definitely consider myself a feminist then, after I prove myself. I believe in Intersectionality, and I believe in the importance of cultural knowledge being shared and respected so that our world can flow and be more than a safe place, treasured and shared by everyone in abundance and have a sustainable and healthier network of all varieties of its human inhabitants through inclusion and community. I believe that we can apply cultural appreciation instead of cultural appropriation and that we can keep making a beautiful tapestry of history when we stand together for what we know we deserve and ought to have. Everyone deserves to live in truth to who they are, their identity, their culture, their pride and purpose, without fear of threats, discrimination, oppression and cruel treatment by others and themselves. The movement is just as much for the community as it is for the hearts of those believing in it. Feminist theory is important in successfully maintaining the movement and is a reminder of why we fight so hard for feminism. We need cultural humility as well, with this kind of drive and devotion, it’s a lot easier to get further in this journey. 7. Define Chicana feminism in your own words. Give examples to demonstrate your point. Use the reading and the video lecture for sources. (2 paragraphs) Chicana Feminism is basically feminism but for Mexican Americans. It’s about their struggles and the fight for equal rights, social political and economic equality, for liberation to define themselves and for them to maintain and identify with their cultural heritage. The movement challenges traditional roles and wants for chicana women to be heard and empowered, and to dismantle oppressive systems/constructs like gender roles. Chicana feminism is really a strong movement that has changed American society, by advocating for women’s rights, a few being social equity, employment, education and reproduction rights in the chicana/ Mexican American community, as well as working to cease machismo dominance. They spread awareness and also foster a community geared for change and advocating for Mexican-American Women’s voices, letting them be heard. Terms Terms with simple definitions. * Feminism – Theory and action for political, economic, and social equality of sexes. * White Feminism – Feminism centered on white women’s issues, ignoring others. * Womanism – Term by Alice Walker for Black women’s feminist movement excluded by white feminism. * Intersectionality – Inclusive feminism recognizing how race, gender, class, etc. shape oppression. * Kyriarchy – Fiorenza’s theory of overlapping systems of domination and privilege. * Essentialism – Assumption people have fixed natures (e.g., all women are emotional). * Naturalization – Framing gender roles as natural or innate. * Feminist Theory – Examines gender and power from women's perspectives, revealing ignored issues. * Social Constructionism – Belief social phenomena form within specific social contexts. * Diaspora – Dispersion of people from their homeland. * Gender Roles – Culturally defined masculine/feminine behaviors linked to biological sex. * Sexism – Prejudice or discrimination based on sex. * Ableism – Discrimination against disabled individuals. * Homophobia – Irrational fear, aversion, or discrimination toward homosexuality or homosexuals. * Racism – Belief that race determines traits and superiority. * Institutional Racism – Systemic oppression based on race, rooted in historic inequality. * Bigotry – Intolerant devotion to one’s own opinions/prejudices. * Discrimination – Unjust treatment based on group categories. * Oppression – Unjust exercise of power over individuals/groups. * Resistance – Actions by oppressed people, from critique to rebellion. * Exoticization – Sexualizing and “othering” a group. * Objectification – Reducing a person to an object, often for sexual pleasure. * Penis Envy – Freudian theory shaping gender views in psychology. * Performative – Butler’s term: gender is behavior performed. * Androgyny – Blend of masculine and feminine traits. * Androgynous Mind – Woolf’s idea of combining masculine and feminine mentalities. * Heteronormative – Assumes heterosexuality is the default/natural sexuality. * Gender Identity – One’s personal sense of gender. * Sexual Identity – Self-perception of one’s sexual orientation. * Sexual Orientation – Pattern of sexual attraction toward others. * Fluid – Identity and sexuality are changeable, not fixed. * Binary – Two-part classification (e.g., male/female). * Cis/Cisgendered – Gender identity matches assigned sex at birth. * Pansexuality – Attraction regardless of gender or sexual identity. * LGBTQIA+ – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and others. * Allyship – Active support of marginalized groups. * Cultural Humility – Lifelong self-reflection and power-awareness in cross-cultural engagement. * Herstory – Feminist rewriting of history to include women’s voices. * Hierarchy – Ranked system assigning superior/inferior roles. * Cultural Appropriation – Using elements of another culture without understanding or respect. * Marginalized – Pushed to the societal edge, made powerless. * Patriarchy – Male-dominated power structure. * Rape Culture – Normalization of sexual violence through media, language, and social norms. * Purity Culture – Promotes sexual restraint, heteronormativity, and female modesty. * Slut Shaming – Criticizing women for sexual activity. * Fat Shaming – Humiliating someone for being overweight. * Privilege – Unearned advantage given to certain groups. * Misogyny – Hatred or prejudice against women. * Misandry – Hatred or prejudice against men. * Hostile Sexism – Open antagonism toward women, viewing them as controlling. * Benevolent Sexism – "Positive" but patronizing views casting women as weak. * Victim Blaming – Holding victims responsible for their harm. * Complementarianism – Belief in gender-specific but complementary roles. * Glass Ceiling – Invisible barrier blocking women/minorities from advancement. * Wage Gap – Pay disparity between men and women for equal work. * Wealth Gap – Unequal asset distribution between genders. * Affirmative Action – Policies favoring historically disadvantaged groups. * Toxic Masculinity – Repressive norms of manhood based on dominance and emotional suppression. * Male Gaze – Depiction of women as objects for male pleasure in media. * Manterrupting – Men frequently interrupting women. * Mansplaining – A man condescendingly explaining something, often inaccurately, to a woman. * Gaslighting – Manipulating someone into doubting their reality. * First-Wave Feminism – 19th–early 20th century focus on legal rights, like voting. * Second-Wave Feminism – 1960s–1980s push for broader equality beyond suffrage. * Third-Wave Feminism – 1990s–2012 focus on individuality, diversity, and intersectionality. * Fourth-Wave Feminism – Since 2012, social media–driven, focused on justice and harassment. * TERF – Radical feminists excluding trans women by equating sex and gender. Context Relevance and Context in relation to Chicana Feminism Movement Feminism Chicana feminism challenges both mainstream white feminism and patriarchal traditions within Chicano communities, advocating for the liberation of Chicanas through a culturally rooted, intersectional lens. White Feminism Chicana feminists critique white feminism for ignoring race, class, and colonial histories, such as how mainstream feminist movements overlooked Chicanas in labor and reproductive justice movements. Womanism Though rooted in Black feminist thought, womanism parallels Chicana feminism in valuing community, spirituality, and culture—emphasizing survival and wholeness rather than assimilation. Intersectionality Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, but embraced in Chicana studies to explore how gender, race, class, and immigration status shape the lives of Chicanas—like undocumented women navigating motherhood and labor exploitation. Kyriarchy Used in Chicana studies to analyze how colonialism, racism, and patriarchy work together to oppress Chicanas both within and outside their communities. Essentialism Chicana feminism critiques essentialist views of womanhood, rejecting stereotypes like the “virgin” or “hot-blooded Latina” as limiting and harmful. Naturalization The “domestic woman” trope in Mexican and Chicano culture is often seen as natural or traditional, but Chicana feminists deconstruct this as a colonial imposition. Feminist Theory Chicana theorists like Gloria Anzaldúa and Cherríe Moraga expand feminist theory to include spirituality, mestizaje (mixed identity), and borderlands consciousness. Social Constructionism Gender roles in Chicana culture (like expectations of being a self-sacrificing mother or obedient daughter) are viewed as socially constructed rather than inherent. Diaspora Many Chicana texts reflect diasporic experiences of living between two cultures—Mexican and American—and the tension that comes with it. Gender Roles Chicana feminism critiques roles imposed by la familia, Catholicism, and machismo, encouraging women to redefine femininity on their own terms. Sexism Machismo within Chicano communities is challenged by Chicana feminists who demand respect and equality, not just within society but within their own families. Ableism Chicana disability justice activists work to include stories of Chicanas with disabilities, who are often left out of both feminist and Chicano movements. Homophobia Chicana queer writers like Cherríe Moraga fight against homophobia within the community, revealing how queer Chicanas often face rejection or silence. Racism Chicana feminism addresses how racism from white society limits opportunities and visibility—for example, exclusion from feminist marches or representation in media. Institutional Racism Disparities in education, housing, and healthcare affecting Chicanas (e.g., forced sterilization in the 1970s) are examples of how institutional racism targets them. Bigotry Anti-Mexican rhetoric and stereotypes (like the “illegal immigrant”) are forms of bigotry that Chicana feminists resist and unpack. Discrimination Job discrimination against bilingual women or women with accents highlights intersections of xenophobia, sexism, and classism in Chicana experiences. Oppression Chicana feminism identifies layered oppressions—by white society, men in their communities, and cultural norms—requiring nuanced liberation. Resistance From the Brown Berets to contemporary art collectives, Chicana resistance takes many forms—activism, writing, organizing, and healing. Exoticization Chicanas are often sexualized in media; Chicana feminism pushes back against being seen as exotic, fiery, or hypersexual. Objectification Cultural symbols like the chola are often commodified in fashion and media, stripping them of political meaning. Penis Envy Chicana feminists reject psychoanalytic ideas like penis envy, arguing they don’t reflect their cultural realities or values around gender. Performative (Gender) Chicanas may “perform” gender in ways shaped by expectations (e.g., hyper-feminine dress or subdued behavior), but some disrupt this through queer, punk, or indigenous aesthetics. Androgyny Some Chicana artists and writers embrace androgyny as a challenge to binary gender roles, especially in queer and activist spaces. Androgynous Mind Chicana thinkers emphasize a mestiza consciousness—like Anzaldúa’s notion of the "borderlands"—which blends masculine and feminine energies in creativity and identity. Heteronormative Chicana queer feminism critiques family structures and religious norms that promote heterosexuality as the only acceptable identity. Gender Identity Chicana feminism affirms fluid and non-binary gender identities, especially within indigenous and queer frameworks. Sexual Identity Writers like Carla Trujillo and Moraga explore how Chicanas reclaim sexual identity outside colonial and patriarchal expectations. Sexual Orientation Queer Chicanas navigate cultural tensions around coming out, often balancing tradition, family, and identity. Fluid Chicana identities are seen as fluid—culturally, sexually, and linguistically—living between languages, nations, and gender norms. Binary Chicana feminists resist binaries like U.S./Mexico, man/woman, spiritual/secular, embracing liminal and hybrid identities. Cis or Cisgendered Cisgender norms are challenged by trans and non-binary Chicanx activists who critique erasure in both Chicano and feminist spaces. Pansexuality Chicana queer theory acknowledges pansexuality and other non-binary orientations as valid and present in the community. LGBTQIA+ Chicana feminism fights for the inclusion of queer voices within both feminist and Chicano movements, often marginalized in both. Allyship True allyship in Chicana feminism requires challenging anti-Blackness, colorism, and classism within the community—not just supporting gender equality. Cultural Humility Chicana scholars model cultural humility when studying indigenous or Afro-Latinx experiences, centering those communities’ knowledge. Herstory Chicana feminism recovers the stories of women like Dolores Huerta, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, or anonymous mothers who fought in silence. Hierarchy Chicana feminists critique hierarchies in activist spaces—like privileging male leadership in the Chicano Movement. Cultural Appropriation White people using Día de los Muertos aesthetics or calaveras without understanding their spiritual and cultural roots is a key issue in Chicana studies. Marginalized Chicanas are often marginalized within feminism, Latino identity, and U.S. society—making them central to intersectional analysis. Patriarchy Patriarchy is examined within la familia, Catholicism, and nationalism—where women are often idealized but silenced. Rape Culture Chicana activists speak out about violence against women in border towns and femicides in places like Ciudad Juárez. Purity Culture Catholic influences and family honor systems pressure young Chicanas to stay “pure,” leading to silence around sexuality and reproductive rights. Slut Shaming Chicanas face slut shaming when asserting sexual autonomy, often seen as disrespecting family or cultural values. Fat Shaming Body norms in Chicana communities can uphold toxic ideas about desirability, especially through media representation or family comments. Privilege Light-skinned Chicanas or those with U.S. citizenship may have more access to resources than their undocumented or darker-skinned peers. Misogyny Chicana feminism addresses misogyny not only in broader society but also in Chicano nationalist movements and traditional families. Misandry Rare in Chicana studies, but sometimes used by critics of feminism; Chicana feminism typically critiques systems, not individuals. Hostile Sexism Explicit sexist attitudes—like believing women shouldn't lead or be educated—are challenged through education and activism. Benevolent Sexism Chicana women may be praised for being nurturing or self-sacrificing, but this limits their freedom and reinforces patriarchy. Victim Blaming Chicanas who experience assault may be blamed due to clothing, behavior, or for going against cultural expectations. Complementarianism The idea that women’s “natural” place is at home raising children is challenged by Chicana scholars promoting education and agency. Glass Ceiling Chicanas face both racism and sexism in trying to rise to leadership roles in academia, politics, and media. Wage Gap Chicanas make significantly less than white men and women in the U.S.—a fact central to economic justice efforts. Wealth Gap Generational poverty due to exclusion from land ownership, education, and economic opportunities affects many Chicana families. Affirmative Action Has helped Chicanas access education and jobs, but has also been a point of political backlash, especially in California. Toxic Masculinity Machismo is critiqued as toxic when it silences emotions, encourages control, or justifies violence against women. Male Gaze Chicana artists subvert the male gaze by creating self-portraits, zines, or poetry that reclaim their own image and story. Manterrupting In classrooms or activism spaces, Chicanas have documented how their voices are often interrupted or dismissed by men. Mansplaining Chicana feminists call out when men explain feminism or Chicana issues to them without lived experience or context. Gaslighting Survivors of abuse, especially queer Chicanas, often describe being told they’re exaggerating or imagining injustices. First-Wave Feminism Mostly excluded Chicanas, as it focused on white women's rights, like voting—often ignoring race or labor justice. Second-Wave Feminism Chicana feminists emerged here to challenge racism in feminist spaces and sexism in Chicano movements—authors like Moraga and Anzaldúa rose during this time. Third-Wave Feminism Emphasized intersectionality and individuality, aligning more closely with Chicana feminist priorities and queer identities. Fourth-Wave Feminism Social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok have become new sites for Chicana feminist activism, art, and community education. TERF Chicana feminism generally supports trans inclusion, but debates exist around traditional views of womanhood within conservative sectors of the community. Tab 6 Feminism is nothing more than the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes, and it's manifested in organized activity on behalf of all women's rights. White feminism describes feminist ideals that focus on the struggles of white women while ignoring the distinct forms of oppression that minority women face, which actually negates the definition of feminism. Womanism is a word that renowned feminist Alice Walker coined when she was referring to African American women’s need to create a movement centered on their own needs since white feminism fails to include them. Intersectionality refers to "a form of feminism that aims to include all women and recognize that race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and class all influence how much and in what ways women are oppressed," according to Fem Magazine. Intersectional feminism is the only form of true feminism. Kyriarchy is a concept that was first created by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza in 1992. She used the word to describe her theory of "interconnected, interacting and self-extending systems of domination and submission, in which a single individual might be oppressed in some relationships and privileged in others," according to Belle Brita, a feminist lifestyle blog. Essentialism is the assumption that people have a fixed “nature,” such as the notion that all women are emotional. Naturalization is the social construction of gender as “natural” or innate. Feminist theory observes gender in its relation to power often within a social structure at large. "Feminist theory is a major branch of theory within sociology that shifts its assumptions, analytic lens and topical focus away from the male viewpoint and experience and toward that of women," according to ThoughtCo. "In doing so, feminist theory shines a light on social problems, trends, and issues that are otherwise overlooked or misidentified by the historically dominant male perspective within social theory." Social constructionism refers to sociological and psychological theories that social phenomena develop in particular social contexts. Diaspora is defined as the dispersion of any people from their original homeland, such as Africans from Africa or Jewish people from Israel. "Gender roles are sets of culturally defined behaviors such as masculinity and femininity," according to Encyclopedia. "In most cultures this binary division of gender is roughly associated with biological sex — male or female." Sexism is any prejudice or discrimination based on sex. Ableism is any discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities. Homophobia refers to the irrational fear of, aversion to or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals. Racism is defined as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race," according to Merriam Webster. Institutional racism refers to "societal patterns that have the net effect of imposing oppressive or otherwise negative conditions against identifiable groups on the basis of race or ethnicity; in the United States, institutional racism results from the social caste system that sustained, and was sustained by, slavery and racial segregation," according to ThoughtCo. Bigotry is defined as "obstinate or intolerant devotion to one's own opinions and prejudices," according to Merriam Webster. Discrimination refers to the act, practice or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually. Oppression is the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power over an individual or, in this case, a population of people such as women. Resistance refers to the variety of techniques that oppressed people employ as a reaction to their oppression, ranging from social critique to open rebellion. Exoticization is the process of sexualizing a group, such as women, and reducing it and its members to "other." Objectification means reducing a human to an object for one's gaze or pleasure. This is done when a person is defined by his or her sexual attributes, for example, and their character and overall existence is disregarded. Penis envy is a term that Freud developed as a primary characteristic in the psychology of girls. Freud’s perceptions of women arguably distorted perceptions of gender in the field of psychology for generations. Judith Butler coined the word "performative" to describe gendered behavior as a performance. Androgyny is "the quality or state of being neither specifically feminine or masculine — the combination of feminine and masculine characteristics," according to Merriam Webster. Virginia Woolf introduced the term "androgynous mind" in A Room of One’s Own (1929) to suggest the mentality that partakes of both masculine (andro) and feminine (gyno) qualities. Heteronormative means that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality. One's gender identity is their subjective sense of oneself. One’s sexual identity refers to how they perceive their sexual orientation since sexuality is fluid and not a fixed concept. Sexual orientation refers to one’s predisposition and sexual attraction toward others. Fluid is the notion that neither identity nor sexuality can fall into rigid, fixed categories. Both are a spectrum. Binary refers to a two-part system, such as male or female, gay or straight. A cisgendered person has a gender identity that corresponds with their sex at birth. Pansexuality, also known as omnisexuality, refers to the sexual or romantic attraction towards others regardless of their sexual or gender identity. LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and more. Allyship refers to the state or condition of being an ally or, in other words, a supportive person for another person or group. Male allyship has become a popular talking point and group movement in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Cultural humility is "an approach to engagement across differences that acknowledges systems of oppression and embodies the following key practices: (1) a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique, (2) a desire to fix power imbalances where none ought to exist and (3) aspiring to develop partnerships with people and groups who advocate for others on a systemic level," according to the LGBTQIA Resource Center. Herstory refers to the feminist efforts to rewrite “history” with often-neglected women's voices so that it includes women and their importance in the narrative. A hierarchy is a value system of ordering people’s roles as superior to others in a descending order to those that are considered inferior. Cultural appropriation refers to "the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture," according to the Cambridge Dictionary. A marginalized group is relegated to an unimportant or powerless position within a society. Patriarchy, in short, refers to "control by men of a disproportionately large share of power," according to Merriam Webster. "Rape culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture," according to Marshall University Women's Center. "Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety." Purity culture refers to "the view of any discussion of things of a sexual nature outside of the context of heterosexual marriage as taboo," and the "adherence to a strict heteronormative lifestyle that forbids most physical contact with significant others, as well as engaging in self pleasure, or holding lustful thoughts about another person that is not a spouse," and including an insistence on female modesty and responsibility to shield boys and men from sexual temptation," according to Grand Rapids Community College glossary. Slut shaming refers to defaming a woman for the presumed frequency of her sexual activity. Fat shaming refers to the action or practice of humiliating someone judged to be fat or overweight. A privilege is, simply, "a special right, advantage or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people," according to Merriam Webster. Misogyny refers to the dislike of, contempt for or the ingrained prejudice against women. Misandry refers to the dislike of, contempt for or the ingrained prejudice against men. Hostile sexism refers to "an antagonistic attitude toward women, who are often viewed as trying to control men through feminist ideology or sexual seduction," according to Understanding Prejudice. Benevolent sexism refers to "a chivalrous attitude toward women that feels favorable but is actually sexist because it casts women as weak creatures in need of men's protection," according to Understanding Prejudice. Victim blaming is when a victim of a crime or any wrongful act, such as rape, is held at fault for the harm that befell them. Women are often victim blamed and slut-shamed at the same time. Complementarianism refers to "a theological view that men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, religious leadership and elsewhere," according to Grand Rapids Community College glossary. The glass ceiling is a barrier that women and other minorities face, holding them back from advancement usually in their profession. The wage gap refers to the difference between the amounts of money that women and men who perform the same work at the same skill level receive. The wealth gap refers to the unequal distribution of assets among men and women. Affirmative action is "an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education," according to Merriam Webster. Toxic masculinity is "a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression," according to The Good Men Project. "It’s the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness; where sex and brutality are yardsticks by which men are measured, while supposedly 'feminine' traits — which can range from emotional vulnerability to simply not being hypersexual — are the means by which your status as 'man' can be taken away." The male gaze is the act of depicting women in mass media as sexual objects for the pleasure of male viewers. Manterrupting refers to an epidemic of men interrupting women. "Mansplaining is, at its core, a very specific thing — it's what occurs when a man talks condescendingly to someone (especially a woman) about something he has incomplete knowledge of, with the mistaken assumption that he knows more about it than the person he's talking to does," according to the Merriam Webster dictionary. Gaslighting is a tactic that people use to gain more power by making a victim question their reality. It's a "hidden form of mental and emotional abuse, designed to plant seeds of self-doubt and alter your perception of reality," according to Psychology Today. First-wave feminism was a period of time during the 19th and early 20th century in the Western world, when feminists focused on legal issues such as gaining the right to vote. Second-wave feminism was a period of time that began during the early 1960s and lasted about two decades in the United States (and quickly spread across the Western world), when feminists aimed to increase equality for women by gaining more than just enfranchisement. Third-wave feminism began in the early 1990s United States and continued until about 2012. Third-wave feminists embraced individualism and diversity and sought to redefine what it meant to be a feminist; this is when intersectionality really started coming into play. Fourth-wave feminism refers to the resurgence of feminism that began around 2012 thanks, in large part, to social media. The fourth wave focused primarily on justice for women, especially with regards to sexual harassment and violence. The subset of radical feminists who believe that gender and sex are the same. TERFs do not accept transsexual women as women, and many TERFs express a desire to keep women-only spaces as spaces for women only, by which they mean only for cisgender women. white to you I am only white to you. My eyes hurt for you. My ears ring echoing our past in my head. You, the beautiful, the respectable, enriching and truly worthy of life’s purpose and journey. Me, the ugly, the unrespectable, disheartening, deceiving, warmblooded killer. All eyes on me, I become what you see. I become. What you see. I repeat like history. Our past projects onto us. You've seen me before. You don't deserve to see me as who I am beyond your semi-generational tears and fear of history’s repetition. I’ve known nothing from you but your fear of my potential brutality, you've seen it from me, you know how I act in cruel ways and throw harm on everyone deemed beneath me. You deserve to be heard and respected and acknowledged and empowered. I don't because I am bearing the generational social responsibility for the race and color I was born, how all that I look like has been evil to all that you look like. In another mind, that I constantly reside in, you look like the love and strength and power that needs to be, the necessary of it all. You’re the reason for life, of living. I don't understand how anyone could be even the slightest bit cruel to you, the true mother and light of this world. There's nothing I could ever do to stop the generational guilt that in association my “kind” have done every wrong thing possible to your kind. No amount of acceptance could ease the burn in the back of my throat when I hear how you were treated on the way to school, out in the streets, behind closed doors places where I have never been or have and haven't experienced the same. This is the fuel for self destruction. This is the fuel for revolution, for demanding change, for the way I write on this pink page. For the way I could never grasp or touch the humanity that you create. My grimey grasp doesn't deserve the things that will save me from my ‘kind’s’ ways. The dirt under my nails agrees. I don't want to climb the social ranks, the academic ladders, the sounding of knowledge and power, for my own good and even survival anymore because, I know thou with darker skin, deserve it and need it more. Knowing your pain is a burden that I carry weaker and weaker with each addition to the longest book of scary wrong things I've ever seen, heard or know of. And so I can only be white to you. I must be the enemy in your eyes so that you can come out on top, at least in your world. And that is not to say you are anything like the power hungry monsters that call themselves conquerors, but that's the only thing I can give you with meaning. A microphone, a megaphone, a livestream, an auditorium, so people can feel your voice ring clear through their minds, clearing away the prejudice and hate and discomfort, and fear and jealousy. Your culture does not belong to me, but if you ever hand me a piece of it, the way i will hold it is the way i will hold my own child, with love and care and i will treasure every moment of it but i will not exploit it for profits, status or personal pleasure. That is my culture. And i will embrace it so that yours does not lose its significance. Im afraid that even if it does gat passed around without losing its purpose and value that others will not treat it right, theyve never experienced something so wonderful, meaningful and so connecting. I blame myself for deep down wanting to wedge my way in, but i will remain a sheep in wolf’s clothing so that you can keep your culture alive and true tot he core. Tab 8 Video Lecture by Dr. Yanez: Chicana: The Politics of Chicana Power! Powerpoint questions * What does chicana mean, define? * Coming from mexico/latin roots * A woman born or raised in america with mexican descent * What racial terms do you use and why? * * Do you know the history of those terms you use or identify with, explain? * * History and power of racial categories * All racial terms have context * Tied to structures of power, history and the legal system * Legislative identities and racial hierarchies * Unpacking their meaning and comparisons * Terms have implications in real life Chicana power 1960-70’s * Chicana term used in 1960’s during the chicano movement (feminine form of chicano) * Coined by activists * Challenged gender, sexual, and racial norms within white society and in their own communities * Issues they addressed * Need for childcare * Abortion rights * Bodily freedom * Sex positivity * Gender discrimination and abuse * Worker’s rights * Medical racism * Mental liberation * Challenged * European churches/ideology * And sought to break free from traditional gender roles, etc. * The chicana conference of 1971: Turning visions into action (600 Chicanas from 24 states met in houston, TX) * “Destroy the myth that religion and culture control our sexual lives * A woman must educate and aqquaint herself with outside issues and personal problems * Chicanas should understand that chicanos face oppression and discrimination but this does not mean that the chicana should be a scapegoat for the man’s frustrations * Mothers should teach their sons to respect women as human beings who are equal in every respect. No double standard * Establish communication with the barrio and implement programs of awareness to the chicano movement * Women of the chicano movement * Chicanas protesting mid 1970’s * Stanta barbara Brown Berets demonstrating at sant barbara junio high school in 1970 * Considered the more radical * Similar to the black panther party * Interests * Speaking out against police brutality, * The women of the movement were helpful in organizesing etc * The men werent very respectful to them for their place as activists, partners, sisters * They wrote a letter saying they wont be assigned to secondary roles when theyre worth just as much * Shortly after, the chapter disintegrated after * Cofounder of the united states farm workers association * Dolores Huerta is on of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the chicano civil rights movement * Sessa Chavez worked closely with Chavez * Women leaders and activists arent as front and center as the males (by recognition) * She is and continues to be one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th /21st century * Shes still pretty active, in her eighties and is still working int he community * Organizing groups within the chicano movement * Deeper meaning of chicana * Politicized identity; a critique of whiteness * Chicano movement and after * Honouring self; reclaim Native and mexican culture due to colonization * * Concern and love for larger community and its future * Lots are beneficiaries of these activists and education/ reform efforts * Past and present * Elements of social activism, art, writing and truth * Interest in the trust * Social, cultural, historical and spiritual awareness * Not just one thing * Intersectional: race, class, gender and sexuality * * Chicana feminism: Xicanisma * No simple definition, there are a variety of theories/ approaches but there are some commonalities * Political stance- confronts patriarchy, forms of disempowerment and silence * Chicana liberation has meant freedom from racism and sexism+ * The need for cultural sovereignty due to forced assimilation through white supremancy * Fight for cultural integrity and dignity (recognized and respected) * Xicanisma, coined by Ana Castillo in 1994, called for chican/os to “reinsert the forsaken feminine into our consciousness, to embrace one’s indigenous roots, and support indigenous sovereignty” * She was a Famous writer * Honouring mexican and indigenous culture(s); our heritage as indigenous people or indigenous Mixed * Ways we have recognized and reclaimed our culture ways: arts writing, cultural revitalization, family histories, native history, culture, spirituality, education/knowledge, self- respect, etc * Xicana pride, brown is beautiful (Xicana with the Xis used to signify an indigenous spelling/meaning) * * Hard for them to fight for things that should be a basic decent human thing like respect, dignity * Politics orf dignity * Unlike educational rights, reproductional rights, workers rights, the above is harder to fight for * Anything you think is a given, day in day out woc don't feel seen/heard *

* Mercedez Holtry - My Blood Is Beautiful
   * Wow 
* Mercedez Holtry - We're Here to Stay
   * Wow
* Mercedez Holtry - Brown Woman
   * They dont take shit
   * Tell them they arent enough and they will prove you down
   * They love passionately but wont be taken for light, for joke
* Denice Frohman - Accents
   * English sits in her mother’s mouth remixed
      * Her words are more than english
      * Her mouth has too many keys for the flat concrete english language
      * Sometimes Hands are all we got, but our accents lead us home
* Denice Frohman // "Abuela"
   * More than dance, its more than language and its how she connects back to her abuela’s younger self and hte hardships she faced so that she feels she comes from something
* Dominique Christina & Denice Frohman - No Child Left Behind

* Introduction Summary (Morales & Hurtado-Ocampo):
* Summarize the main themes and purpose of the book's introduction. What will this book focus on? What topics are you most excited or curious to learn more about?
* (Answer in 1 paragraph.)
* Chicana, Latinx, and Mixed-Race Women's Poetry/Spoken Word:
* Choose one poet/spoken word artist from this week’s material. 
* What was powerful or significant about their work? 
* What message were they sharing? 
* Include specific examples and cite the artist. (Answer in 2 paragraphs.)
*

* * Gloria Anzaldúa + Intersectionality:
* Who is Gloria Anzaldúa and why is she a foundational figure in Chicana Feminism? In your own words, define intersectionality and explain how it connects to her work. Cite sources from the course materials. 
* (Answer in 1-2 paragraphs.)
* * Cultural Politics (Yañez Lecture – Chicana: The Politics of Chicana Power!):
* Discuss the key ideas from this lecture. What does cultural politics mean in this context, and how do Chicanas use culture as a form of power and resistance? (Answer in 2 paragraphs.)
Chicana Lit Notes
Chicana Lit Video Lecture Notes
* Since 1848 mexicans have been  writing about their experience, the was between mexicans and americans was over
*  Constant flux, people living in Us and migration across the us mexico border 
   * Contributes a lot to how we understand mexicans today, constant renovation of how we see culture
* Common themes
   *  Identity
      * Historical timeline
      * Meso america
      * Mexico culture
   * Social and political protest against exploitation
      * Historical backdrop and context
      * Oppression and forms of exploitations
   * Immigration and migration experience
      * Forced migrations 
      * Issues with migration
      * Socio Economic issues
      * Border issues
   * Dominate narrative
      * Negative terms Couched upon or thrown on brown people specific for mexico/ latin american
   * Life in the barrio
      * Mexican chicano area 
   * Unity of mexican people 
* In between space 
      * Aztec or meso american concept of the in between space
         * So “napala”
   * Mexicans born in the america are seen as distanced from mexico/ not accepted as ‘true americans’ 
      * Still facing racism and being rejected within the dominant society
      * Many reasons for being seen as distanced from mexico, or embraced in mexico
      * Even when they assimilate or associate with the whiteness of dominant us citizens
   * Their identity is somewhere between both cultures
      * Creation of unique identity, a distinct chicanx culture
      * Selena- movie
* Migration
   * Coming to U.S. and their experiences
      * Historical the ancestry has been walking those lands for centuries but now have political consequences 
   * Document racial prejudices
      * Injustices
         * That havent been at the storefront of their issues as migrants
   * Difficulty adjusting to a new culture and language barriers
      * Learning english
      * Leaving their land
      * Usually seen as criminals
   * Reasons for migration
      * Socioeconomic reasons
      * Poverty
      * Refugees 
      * Forced migration
      * Cultural
      * Ritualistic
      * Modern
      *    * Historical migration (native heritage)
      * Historically migrating across western hemisphere due to native mesoamerican heritage
* Political protest
   * 60-70s
      * Corkie gonzales from colorado coming out of the chicano movement era
      * Galvinized the chicano youth 
      * poems
         * I am walkeen or iron walking
            * Power of protest/ poems
   * Works Denounced discrimination
   * Demanded civil rights
      * Why are they never able to access their full citizenship or full civil rights if theyre “american citizens”
   * 70’s to present
   * Cultural identity 
   * Native indigenous
   * Mexican identity, culture, heritage, pride
   * Current spoken work artists
   * Performance poetry
      * Political protest through songs
   * Call to action instead of just protest
* Chicana writers in the 70’s
   * Mexican wome writers 
   * Influence
   * Expand the literature, academically
      * Issues of race
      *  Essential to understanding oppression
         * Chicana is a socially conscious and politicized term and used to identify the writers and poets
   * Intersectionality
      * Analysing racism and class gender sexuality, racism that intersect and impact the sort of oppression they’ll experience
      * You can be oppressed and still have privilege in other ways.
      * Oppose patriarchy(privilege for men)
         * Decentering them in everything
         * Nothing really wrong on that but>
            * Imbalance of power is under that
      * Patriarchal racial capitalism
         * Imbalance in power
         *       * Violence 
         * Against women is common
         * Heightened violence
            *  Not as valued as much, unfair wages
            * Sometimes within their own communities 
            * And always outside their community
         * Sexuality is gonna be key in terms of some of their words
            * European religion life, christianity, catholicism
            * But sensuality and sexuality
            * Writing about the good parts of sexuality too, a variety of relationships
            * Pleasure dynamic
         * Ideas stem from somewhere, couched in history and mainstream movies, bible’s where these have been laid out
         * Lesbian writers tackle those issues and issues
         * Demeaning stereotypes that they had to fight back/write back agiant
            *  Very damaging, they frame people of color
               * Like youre being set up
               * Cant easily embody their full humanity 
            * Common stereotypes
               * Docile
               * Not intellectual or passionate
               * Promiscuous
               * Very negative terms, its hard to shake
            * Hard to move forward past those dehumanizing and demeaning
   * Current time
      * Diverse issues
      * Communities evolve and more issues come up and are more salient
      * Trans issues
      * Docu qqueer
      * Education
      * Challenging to define
         * Thats a good thing
         * Its very diverse in issues and lit about it
         * Everyone can express 
         * Its an influx
         * Athena arthurs
      * Continue to tell stories and history tat has been suppressed
   * Ethnic’s study bill 
      * 2281
      *  Proposed in 2010
      * The jhouse bill sought to erradicate ethnic studies
      * Targeted the mexican american studies in arizona
         * Banned knowledge: Mexican American Studies
            * AZ HB 2281 (2010) targets “Latinos”
            * Similar classes intact (ethnic and Freire school)
            * chicanx/latinx authors
            * Illegal books
               * Not that long ago, banned in arizona’
               * House on mango street
                  * Centers experiences on mexican american girl growing up in america
               * Bless me ultima
                  * Young MA boy names o’neil growing up in mexico
                  * Chicano classics
               * Borderlands
                  * Chicana feminist tex
                  * Well known and prestigous
                  * In feminist courses and university colleges
            * The kids taking these classes in highschool, tuscan AZ 
               * School officials just went in, took the books
         * These works are still being attacked or banned
         * Many efforts by scholars and activist
            * Librotraficante
            * Trafficking of banned books
               * In 2012 caravan oxnard CA to AZ to build libraries and put the books back there
               * Smuggle the books
               * All the authors were not mexican or latino but if they questioned the status quo
                  * Deemed dangerous
         * Mind altering prose stickers
         * When you go to school and see nothing about yourself, its a violent 
         * A majority of students in cali are mexican
         * The power of your intellectual prowess
         * Anti intellectual america, “i go to school but i do not learn”
            * Relationship to school, relationship to learning and what does that mean to you
            * So many factors and pedigogees
               * Expand your mind, and it doesnt always have to do with memorizing facts
               * Robust learning and enjoying it. 
CF Fundimentals
https://palomar.instructure.com/courses/53753 
Discussion: Class Introductions and Chicana Feminism Fundamentals
1. Have you ever taken a Chicano Studies course?  If yes, please explain. If not, why did you want to take a Chicano Studies class?
I have yet to take a chicano studies course, this will be my first. I am taking this class because I want to learn the culture and have the knowledge and awareness to understand and be able to interact with the Chicana’s in my community, and better my relationships with them, and with my girlfriend’s family. 
2. On the syllabus which readings or weekly units (NOT course outcomes) are of interest to you and why?  Basically, what are you excited to learn about?   
I know next to nothing so I’m hoping that the topics chosen will really help me get a good grasp of the stories and important people and cultural history. Drawing two titles, I would pick Chicana Spirituality and Healing as well as Creating Chicana Feminist Spaces, Languages, and the Politics of "Angry Women". The first one sounded cool and the second one piqued my interest. I’m excited for all of it and to be able to see as much as I can of what this course has to offer, hopefully I’ll be able to retain most of it.
3. What qualities do you attribute to a "good student"?  What good qualities do you have as a student?
A good student has communication, asks questions or does more research on their own and is open to continuous learning and feedback. And ideally has decent adaptability and memory, I fall short in the latter two. The rest I hope I exhibit in this area of my education. I have a learning disability, and lately some memory problems. I am trying to preserve the past and I think that's what matters.
4. What are your goals as a Palomar College student? 
I don't have any goals currently, I am exploring my interests.
5. Please add anything you wish to share. You can also add a fun picture; in this picture you can add a photo of you and family, your pet, or other fun activities. 
I have a cat and her name is Roxy.
6. What does feminism mean to you, and do you consider yourself a feminist, why or why not? Highlight some of the terms you read about in the glossary. (2 paragraphs)
Feminism is the belief of equality for women, in all aspects of life and it can be shown in many ways. I have yet to do anything physically to stand up for women’s rights within my community and as I get older I wonder where the opportunities to start are hiding but I'm hoping they arise soon. I would definitely consider myself a feminist then, after I prove myself. 
I believe in Intersectionality, and I believe in the importance of cultural knowledge being shared and respected so that our world can flow and be more than a safe place, treasured and shared  by everyone in abundance and have a sustainable and healthier network of all varieties of its human inhabitants through inclusion and community. I believe that we can apply cultural appreciation instead of cultural appropriation and that we can keep making a beautiful tapestry of history when we stand together for what we know we deserve and ought to have.
Everyone deserves to live in truth to who they are, their identity, their culture, their pride and purpose, without fear of threats, discrimination, oppression and cruel treatment by others and themselves. The movement is just as much for the community as it is for the hearts of those believing in it. Feminist theory is important in successfully maintaining the movement and is a reminder of why we fight so hard for feminism. We need cultural humility as well, with this kind of drive and devotion, it’s a lot easier to get further in this journey.
7. Define Chicana feminism in your own words. Give examples to demonstrate your point. Use the reading and the video lecture for sources. (2 paragraphs)
Chicana Feminism is basically feminism but for Mexican Americans. It’s about their struggles and the fight for equal rights, social political and economic equality, for liberation to define themselves and for them to maintain and identify with their cultural heritage. The movement challenges traditional roles and wants for chicana women to be heard and empowered, and to dismantle oppressive systems/constructs like gender roles. 
Chicana feminism is really a strong movement that has changed American society, by advocating for women’s rights, a few being social equity, employment, education and reproduction rights in the chicana/ Mexican American community, as well as working to cease machismo dominance. They spread awareness and also foster a community geared for change and advocating for Mexican-American Women’s voices, letting them be heard. 
Terms
Terms with simple definitions.

* Feminism – Theory and action for political, economic, and social equality of sexes.

* White Feminism – Feminism centered on white women’s issues, ignoring others.

* Womanism – Term by Alice Walker for Black women’s feminist movement excluded by white feminism.

* Intersectionality – Inclusive feminism recognizing how race, gender, class, etc. shape oppression.

* Kyriarchy – Fiorenza’s theory of overlapping systems of domination and privilege.

* Essentialism – Assumption people have fixed natures (e.g., all women are emotional).

* Naturalization – Framing gender roles as natural or innate.

* Feminist Theory – Examines gender and power from women's perspectives, revealing ignored issues.

* Social Constructionism – Belief social phenomena form within specific social contexts.

* Diaspora – Dispersion of people from their homeland.

* Gender Roles – Culturally defined masculine/feminine behaviors linked to biological sex.

* Sexism – Prejudice or discrimination based on sex.

* Ableism – Discrimination against disabled individuals.

* Homophobia – Irrational fear, aversion, or discrimination toward homosexuality or homosexuals.

* Racism – Belief that race determines traits and superiority.

* Institutional Racism – Systemic oppression based on race, rooted in historic inequality.

* Bigotry – Intolerant devotion to one’s own opinions/prejudices.

* Discrimination – Unjust treatment based on group categories.

* Oppression – Unjust exercise of power over individuals/groups.

* Resistance – Actions by oppressed people, from critique to rebellion.

* Exoticization – Sexualizing and “othering” a group.

* Objectification – Reducing a person to an object, often for sexual pleasure.

* Penis Envy – Freudian theory shaping gender views in psychology.

* Performative – Butler’s term: gender is behavior performed.

* Androgyny – Blend of masculine and feminine traits.

* Androgynous Mind – Woolf’s idea of combining masculine and feminine mentalities.

* Heteronormative – Assumes heterosexuality is the default/natural sexuality.

* Gender Identity – One’s personal sense of gender.

* Sexual Identity – Self-perception of one’s sexual orientation.

* Sexual Orientation – Pattern of sexual attraction toward others.

* Fluid – Identity and sexuality are changeable, not fixed.

* Binary – Two-part classification (e.g., male/female).

* Cis/Cisgendered – Gender identity matches assigned sex at birth.

* Pansexuality – Attraction regardless of gender or sexual identity.

* LGBTQIA+ – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and others.

* Allyship – Active support of marginalized groups.

* Cultural Humility – Lifelong self-reflection and power-awareness in cross-cultural engagement.

* Herstory – Feminist rewriting of history to include women’s voices.

* Hierarchy – Ranked system assigning superior/inferior roles.

* Cultural Appropriation – Using elements of another culture without understanding or respect.

* Marginalized – Pushed to the societal edge, made powerless.

* Patriarchy – Male-dominated power structure.

* Rape Culture – Normalization of sexual violence through media, language, and social norms.

* Purity Culture – Promotes sexual restraint, heteronormativity, and female modesty.

* Slut Shaming – Criticizing women for sexual activity.

* Fat Shaming – Humiliating someone for being overweight.

* Privilege – Unearned advantage given to certain groups.

* Misogyny – Hatred or prejudice against women.

* Misandry – Hatred or prejudice against men.

* Hostile Sexism – Open antagonism toward women, viewing them as controlling.

* Benevolent Sexism – "Positive" but patronizing views casting women as weak.

* Victim Blaming – Holding victims responsible for their harm.

* Complementarianism – Belief in gender-specific but complementary roles.

* Glass Ceiling – Invisible barrier blocking women/minorities from advancement.

* Wage Gap – Pay disparity between men and women for equal work.

* Wealth Gap – Unequal asset distribution between genders.

* Affirmative Action – Policies favoring historically disadvantaged groups.

* Toxic Masculinity – Repressive norms of manhood based on dominance and emotional suppression.

* Male Gaze – Depiction of women as objects for male pleasure in media.

* Manterrupting – Men frequently interrupting women.

* Mansplaining – A man condescendingly explaining something, often inaccurately, to a woman.

* Gaslighting – Manipulating someone into doubting their reality.

* First-Wave Feminism – 19th–early 20th century focus on legal rights, like voting.

* Second-Wave Feminism – 1960s–1980s push for broader equality beyond suffrage.

* Third-Wave Feminism – 1990s–2012 focus on individuality, diversity, and intersectionality.

* Fourth-Wave Feminism – Since 2012, social media–driven, focused on justice and harassment.

* TERF – Radical feminists excluding trans women by equating sex and gender.

Context
Relevance and Context in relation to Chicana Feminism Movement

Feminism
 Chicana feminism challenges both mainstream white feminism and patriarchal traditions within Chicano communities, advocating for the liberation of Chicanas through a culturally rooted, intersectional lens.

White Feminism
 Chicana feminists critique white feminism for ignoring race, class, and colonial histories, such as how mainstream feminist movements overlooked Chicanas in labor and reproductive justice movements.

Womanism
 Though rooted in Black feminist thought, womanism parallels Chicana feminism in valuing community, spirituality, and culture—emphasizing survival and wholeness rather than assimilation.

Intersectionality
 Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, but embraced in Chicana studies to explore how gender, race, class, and immigration status shape the lives of Chicanas—like undocumented women navigating motherhood and labor exploitation.

Kyriarchy
 Used in Chicana studies to analyze how colonialism, racism, and patriarchy work together to oppress Chicanas both within and outside their communities.

Essentialism
 Chicana feminism critiques essentialist views of womanhood, rejecting stereotypes like the “virgin” or “hot-blooded Latina” as limiting and harmful.

Naturalization
 The “domestic woman” trope in Mexican and Chicano culture is often seen as natural or traditional, but Chicana feminists deconstruct this as a colonial imposition.

Feminist Theory
 Chicana theorists like Gloria Anzaldúa and Cherríe Moraga expand feminist theory to include spirituality, mestizaje (mixed identity), and borderlands consciousness.

Social Constructionism
 Gender roles in Chicana culture (like expectations of being a self-sacrificing mother or obedient daughter) are viewed as socially constructed rather than inherent.

Diaspora
 Many Chicana texts reflect diasporic experiences of living between two cultures—Mexican and American—and the tension that comes with it.

Gender Roles
 Chicana feminism critiques roles imposed by la familia, Catholicism, and machismo, encouraging women to redefine femininity on their own terms.

Sexism
 Machismo within Chicano communities is challenged by Chicana feminists who demand respect and equality, not just within society but within their own families.

Ableism
 Chicana disability justice activists work to include stories of Chicanas with disabilities, who are often left out of both feminist and Chicano movements.

Homophobia
 Chicana queer writers like Cherríe Moraga fight against homophobia within the community, revealing how queer Chicanas often face rejection or silence.

Racism
 Chicana feminism addresses how racism from white society limits opportunities and visibility—for example, exclusion from feminist marches or representation in media.

Institutional Racism
 Disparities in education, housing, and healthcare affecting Chicanas (e.g., forced sterilization in the 1970s) are examples of how institutional racism targets them.

Bigotry
 Anti-Mexican rhetoric and stereotypes (like the “illegal immigrant”) are forms of bigotry that Chicana feminists resist and unpack.

Discrimination
 Job discrimination against bilingual women or women with accents highlights intersections of xenophobia, sexism, and classism in Chicana experiences.

Oppression
 Chicana feminism identifies layered oppressions—by white society, men in their communities, and cultural norms—requiring nuanced liberation.

Resistance
 From the Brown Berets to contemporary art collectives, Chicana resistance takes many forms—activism, writing, organizing, and healing.

Exoticization
 Chicanas are often sexualized in media; Chicana feminism pushes back against being seen as exotic, fiery, or hypersexual.

Objectification
 Cultural symbols like the chola are often commodified in fashion and media, stripping them of political meaning.

Penis Envy
 Chicana feminists reject psychoanalytic ideas like penis envy, arguing they don’t reflect their cultural realities or values around gender.

Performative (Gender)
 Chicanas may “perform” gender in ways shaped by expectations (e.g., hyper-feminine dress or subdued behavior), but some disrupt this through queer, punk, or indigenous aesthetics.

Androgyny
 Some Chicana artists and writers embrace androgyny as a challenge to binary gender roles, especially in queer and activist spaces.

Androgynous Mind
 Chicana thinkers emphasize a mestiza consciousness—like Anzaldúa’s notion of the "borderlands"—which blends masculine and feminine energies in creativity and identity.

Heteronormative
 Chicana queer feminism critiques family structures and religious norms that promote heterosexuality as the only acceptable identity.

Gender Identity
 Chicana feminism affirms fluid and non-binary gender identities, especially within indigenous and queer frameworks.

Sexual Identity
 Writers like Carla Trujillo and Moraga explore how Chicanas reclaim sexual identity outside colonial and patriarchal expectations.

Sexual Orientation
 Queer Chicanas navigate cultural tensions around coming out, often balancing tradition, family, and identity.

Fluid
 Chicana identities are seen as fluid—culturally, sexually, and linguistically—living between languages, nations, and gender norms.

Binary
 Chicana feminists resist binaries like U.S./Mexico, man/woman, spiritual/secular, embracing liminal and hybrid identities.

Cis or Cisgendered
 Cisgender norms are challenged by trans and non-binary Chicanx activists who critique erasure in both Chicano and feminist spaces.

Pansexuality
 Chicana queer theory acknowledges pansexuality and other non-binary orientations as valid and present in the community.

LGBTQIA+
 Chicana feminism fights for the inclusion of queer voices within both feminist and Chicano movements, often marginalized in both.

Allyship
 True allyship in Chicana feminism requires challenging anti-Blackness, colorism, and classism within the community—not just supporting gender equality.

Cultural Humility
 Chicana scholars model cultural humility when studying indigenous or Afro-Latinx experiences, centering those communities’ knowledge.

Herstory
 Chicana feminism recovers the stories of women like Dolores Huerta, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, or anonymous mothers who fought in silence.

Hierarchy
 Chicana feminists critique hierarchies in activist spaces—like privileging male leadership in the Chicano Movement.

Cultural Appropriation
 White people using Día de los Muertos aesthetics or calaveras without understanding their spiritual and cultural roots is a key issue in Chicana studies.

Marginalized
 Chicanas are often marginalized within feminism, Latino identity, and U.S. society—making them central to intersectional analysis.

Patriarchy
 Patriarchy is examined within la familia, Catholicism, and nationalism—where women are often idealized but silenced.

Rape Culture
 Chicana activists speak out about violence against women in border towns and femicides in places like Ciudad Juárez.

Purity Culture
 Catholic influences and family honor systems pressure young Chicanas to stay “pure,” leading to silence around sexuality and reproductive rights.

Slut Shaming
 Chicanas face slut shaming when asserting sexual autonomy, often seen as disrespecting family or cultural values.

Fat Shaming
 Body norms in Chicana communities can uphold toxic ideas about desirability, especially through media representation or family comments.

Privilege
 Light-skinned Chicanas or those with U.S. citizenship may have more access to resources than their undocumented or darker-skinned peers.

Misogyny
 Chicana feminism addresses misogyny not only in broader society but also in Chicano nationalist movements and traditional families.

Misandry
 Rare in Chicana studies, but sometimes used by critics of feminism; Chicana feminism typically critiques systems, not individuals.

Hostile Sexism
 Explicit sexist attitudes—like believing women shouldn't lead or be educated—are challenged through education and activism.

Benevolent Sexism
 Chicana women may be praised for being nurturing or self-sacrificing, but this limits their freedom and reinforces patriarchy.

Victim Blaming
 Chicanas who experience assault may be blamed due to clothing, behavior, or for going against cultural expectations.

Complementarianism
 The idea that women’s “natural” place is at home raising children is challenged by Chicana scholars promoting education and agency.

Glass Ceiling
 Chicanas face both racism and sexism in trying to rise to leadership roles in academia, politics, and media.

Wage Gap
 Chicanas make significantly less than white men and women in the U.S.—a fact central to economic justice efforts.

Wealth Gap
 Generational poverty due to exclusion from land ownership, education, and economic opportunities affects many Chicana families.

Affirmative Action
 Has helped Chicanas access education and jobs, but has also been a point of political backlash, especially in California.

Toxic Masculinity
 Machismo is critiqued as toxic when it silences emotions, encourages control, or justifies violence against women.

Male Gaze
 Chicana artists subvert the male gaze by creating self-portraits, zines, or poetry that reclaim their own image and story.

Manterrupting
 In classrooms or activism spaces, Chicanas have documented how their voices are often interrupted or dismissed by men.

Mansplaining
 Chicana feminists call out when men explain feminism or Chicana issues to them without lived experience or context.

Gaslighting
 Survivors of abuse, especially queer Chicanas, often describe being told they’re exaggerating or imagining injustices.

First-Wave Feminism
 Mostly excluded Chicanas, as it focused on white women's rights, like voting—often ignoring race or labor justice.

Second-Wave Feminism
 Chicana feminists emerged here to challenge racism in feminist spaces and sexism in Chicano movements—authors like Moraga and Anzaldúa rose during this time.

Third-Wave Feminism
 Emphasized intersectionality and individuality, aligning more closely with Chicana feminist priorities and queer identities.

Fourth-Wave Feminism
 Social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok have become new sites for Chicana feminist activism, art, and community education.

TERF
 Chicana feminism generally supports trans inclusion, but debates exist around traditional views of womanhood within conservative sectors of the community.

Tab 6
Feminism is nothing more than the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes, and it's manifested in organized activity on behalf of all women's rights.
White feminism describes feminist ideals that focus on the struggles of white women while ignoring the distinct forms of oppression that minority women face, which actually negates the definition of feminism.
Womanism is a word that renowned feminist Alice Walker coined when she was referring to African American women’s need to create a movement centered on their own needs since white feminism fails to include them.
Intersectionality refers to "a form of feminism that aims to include all women and recognize that race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and class all influence how much and in what ways women are oppressed," according to Fem Magazine. Intersectional feminism is the only form of true feminism.
Kyriarchy is a concept that was first created by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza in 1992. She used the word to describe her theory of "interconnected, interacting and self-extending systems of domination and submission, in which a single individual might be oppressed in some relationships and privileged in others," according to Belle Brita, a feminist lifestyle blog.
Essentialism is the assumption that people have a fixed “nature,” such as the notion that all women are emotional.
Naturalization is the social construction of gender as “natural” or innate.
Feminist theory observes gender in its relation to power often within a social structure at large. "Feminist theory is a major branch of theory within sociology that shifts its assumptions, analytic lens and topical focus away from the male viewpoint and experience and toward that of women," according to ThoughtCo. "In doing so, feminist theory shines a light on social problems, trends, and issues that are otherwise overlooked or misidentified by the historically dominant male perspective within social theory."
Social constructionism refers to sociological and psychological theories that social phenomena develop in particular social contexts.
Diaspora is defined as the dispersion of any people from their original homeland, such as Africans from Africa or Jewish people from Israel.
"Gender roles are sets of culturally defined behaviors such as masculinity and femininity," according to Encyclopedia. "In most cultures this binary division of gender is roughly associated with biological sex — male or female."
Sexism is any prejudice or discrimination based on sex.
Ableism is any discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities.
Homophobia refers to the irrational fear of, aversion to or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.
Racism is defined as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race," according to Merriam Webster.
Institutional racism refers to "societal patterns that have the net effect of imposing oppressive or otherwise negative conditions against identifiable groups on the basis of race or ethnicity; in the United States, institutional racism results from the social caste system that sustained, and was sustained by, slavery and racial segregation," according to ThoughtCo.
Bigotry is defined as "obstinate or intolerant devotion to one's own opinions and prejudices," according to Merriam Webster.
Discrimination refers to the act, practice or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually.
Oppression is the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power over an individual or, in this case, a population of people such as women.
Resistance refers to the variety of techniques that oppressed people employ as a reaction to their oppression, ranging from social critique to open rebellion.
Exoticization is the process of sexualizing a group, such as women, and reducing it and its members to "other."
Objectification means reducing a human to an object for one's gaze or pleasure. This is done when a person is defined by his or her sexual attributes, for example, and their character and overall existence is disregarded.
Penis envy is a term that Freud developed as a primary characteristic in the psychology of girls. Freud’s perceptions of women arguably distorted perceptions of gender in the field of psychology for generations.
Judith Butler coined the word "performative" to describe gendered behavior as a performance.
Androgyny is "the quality or state of being neither specifically feminine or masculine — the combination of feminine and masculine characteristics," according to Merriam Webster.
Virginia Woolf introduced the term "androgynous mind" in A Room of One’s Own (1929) to suggest the mentality that partakes of both masculine (andro) and feminine (gyno) qualities.
Heteronormative means that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality.
One's gender identity is their subjective sense of oneself.
One’s sexual identity refers to how they perceive their sexual orientation since sexuality is fluid and not a fixed concept.
Sexual orientation refers to one’s predisposition and sexual attraction toward others.
Fluid is the notion that neither identity nor sexuality can fall into rigid, fixed categories. Both are a spectrum.
Binary refers to a two-part system, such as male or female, gay or straight.
A cisgendered person has a gender identity that corresponds with their sex at birth.
Pansexuality, also known as omnisexuality, refers to the sexual or romantic attraction towards others regardless of their sexual or gender identity.
LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and more.
Allyship refers to the state or condition of being an ally or, in other words, a supportive person for another person or group. Male allyship has become a popular talking point and group movement in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Cultural humility is "an approach to engagement across differences that acknowledges systems of oppression and embodies the following key practices: (1) a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique, (2) a desire to fix power imbalances where none ought to exist and (3) aspiring to develop partnerships with people and groups who advocate for others on a systemic level," according to the LGBTQIA Resource Center.
Herstory refers to the feminist efforts to rewrite “history” with often-neglected women's voices so that it includes women and their importance in the narrative.
A hierarchy is a value system of ordering people’s roles as superior to others in a descending order to those that are considered inferior.
Cultural appropriation refers to "the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture," according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
A marginalized group is relegated to an unimportant or powerless position within a society.
Patriarchy, in short, refers to "control by men of a disproportionately large share of power," according to Merriam Webster.
"Rape culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture," according to Marshall University Women's Center. "Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety."
Purity culture refers to "the view of any discussion of things of a sexual nature outside of the context of heterosexual marriage as taboo," and the "adherence to a strict heteronormative lifestyle that forbids most physical contact with significant others, as well as engaging in self pleasure, or holding lustful thoughts about another person that is not a spouse," and including an insistence on female modesty and responsibility to shield boys and men from sexual temptation," according to Grand Rapids Community College glossary.
Slut shaming refers to defaming a woman for the presumed frequency of her sexual activity.
Fat shaming refers to the action or practice of humiliating someone judged to be fat or overweight.
A privilege is, simply, "a special right, advantage or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people," according to Merriam Webster.
Misogyny refers to the dislike of, contempt for or the ingrained prejudice against women.
Misandry refers to the dislike of, contempt for or the ingrained prejudice against men.
Hostile sexism refers to "an antagonistic attitude toward women, who are often viewed as trying to control men through feminist ideology or sexual seduction," according to Understanding Prejudice.
Benevolent sexism refers to "a chivalrous attitude toward women that feels favorable but is actually sexist because it casts women as weak creatures in need of men's protection," according to Understanding Prejudice.
Victim blaming is when a victim of a crime or any wrongful act, such as rape, is held at fault for the harm that befell them. Women are often victim blamed and slut-shamed at the same time.
Complementarianism refers to "a theological view that men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, religious leadership and elsewhere," according to Grand Rapids Community College glossary.
The glass ceiling is a barrier that women and other minorities face, holding them back from advancement usually in their profession.
The wage gap refers to the difference between the amounts of money that women and men who perform the same work at the same skill level receive.
The wealth gap refers to the unequal distribution of assets among men and women.
Affirmative action is "an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education," according to Merriam Webster.
Toxic masculinity is "a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression," according to The Good Men Project. "It’s the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness; where sex and brutality are yardsticks by which men are measured, while supposedly 'feminine' traits — which can range from emotional vulnerability to simply not being hypersexual — are the means by which your status as 'man' can be taken away."
The male gaze is the act of depicting women in mass media as sexual objects for the pleasure of male viewers.
Manterrupting refers to an epidemic of men interrupting women.
"Mansplaining is, at its core, a very specific thing — it's what occurs when a man talks condescendingly to someone (especially a woman) about something he has incomplete knowledge of, with the mistaken assumption that he knows more about it than the person he's talking to does," according to the Merriam Webster dictionary.
Gaslighting is a tactic that people use to gain more power by making a victim question their reality. It's a "hidden form of mental and emotional abuse, designed to plant seeds of self-doubt and alter your perception of reality," according to Psychology Today.
First-wave feminism was a period of time during the 19th and early 20th century in the Western world, when feminists focused on legal issues such as gaining the right to vote.
Second-wave feminism was a period of time that began during the early 1960s and lasted about two decades in the United States (and quickly spread across the Western world), when feminists aimed to increase equality for women by gaining more than just enfranchisement.
Third-wave feminism began in the early 1990s United States and continued until about 2012. Third-wave feminists embraced individualism and diversity and sought to redefine what it meant to be a feminist; this is when intersectionality really started coming into play.
Fourth-wave feminism refers to the resurgence of feminism that began around 2012 thanks, in large part, to social media. The fourth wave focused primarily on justice for women, especially with regards to sexual harassment and violence.
The subset of radical feminists who believe that gender and sex are the same. TERFs do not accept transsexual women as women, and many TERFs express a desire to keep women-only spaces as spaces for women only, by which they mean only for cisgender women.

white to you
I am only white to you.

My eyes hurt for you.
My ears ring echoing our past in my head. 
You, the beautiful, the respectable, enriching and truly worthy of life’s purpose and journey.
Me, the ugly, the unrespectable, disheartening, deceiving, warmblooded killer.
All eyes on me, I become what you see.
I become.
What you see.
I repeat like history. 
Our past projects onto us. 
You've seen me before.
You don't deserve to see me as who I am beyond your semi-generational tears and fear of history’s repetition.
I’ve known nothing from you but your fear of my potential brutality, 
you've seen it from me, 
you know how I act in cruel ways and throw harm on everyone deemed beneath me.
You deserve to be heard and respected and acknowledged and empowered.
I don't because I am bearing the generational social responsibility for the race and color I was born, how all that I look like has been evil to all that you look like.
In another mind, that I constantly reside in, 
you look like the love and strength and power that needs to be, the necessary of it all. 
You’re the reason for life, of living. 
I don't understand how anyone could be even the slightest bit cruel to you, 
the true mother and light of this world.
There's nothing I could ever do to stop the generational guilt that in association my “kind” 
have done every wrong thing possible to your kind.
No amount of acceptance could ease the burn in the back of my throat 
when I hear how you were treated on the way to school, out in the streets, behind closed doors places where I have never been or have and haven't experienced the same. 
This is the fuel for self destruction. 
This is the fuel for revolution, for demanding change, for the way I write on this pink page. 
For the way I could never grasp or touch the humanity that you create. 
My grimey grasp doesn't deserve the things that will save me from my ‘kind’s’ ways.
The dirt under my nails agrees. I don't want to climb the social ranks, the academic ladders, the sounding of knowledge and power, for my own good and even survival anymore because, I know thou with darker skin, deserve it and need it more.
Knowing your pain is a burden that I carry weaker and weaker with each addition 
to the longest book of scary wrong things I've ever seen, heard or know of.
And so I can only be white to you. I must be the enemy in your eyes so that you can come out on top, at least in your world. 
And that is not to say you are anything like the power hungry monsters that call themselves conquerors, but that's the only thing I can give you with meaning. 
A microphone, a megaphone, a livestream, an auditorium,
so people can feel your voice ring clear through their minds, 
clearing away the prejudice and hate and discomfort, and fear and jealousy. 
Your culture does not belong to me, but if you ever hand me a piece of it, 
the way i will hold it is the way i will hold my own child, with love and care and i will treasure every moment of it but i will not exploit it for profits, status or personal pleasure.
That is my culture. And i will embrace it so that yours does not lose its significance. Im afraid that even if it does gat passed around without losing its purpose and value that others will not treat it right, theyve never experienced something so wonderful, meaningful and so connecting. I blame myself for deep down wanting to wedge my way in, but i will remain a sheep in wolf’s clothing so that you can keep your culture alive and true tot he core.

Tab 8
Video Lecture by Dr. Yanez: Chicana: The Politics of Chicana Power!

Powerpoint questions
   * What does chicana mean, define?
   * Coming from mexico/latin roots
   * A woman born or raised in america with mexican descent
   * What racial terms do you use and why?
   *    * Do you know the history of those terms you use or identify with, explain?
   *    * History and power of racial categories
   * All racial terms have context
   * Tied to structures of power, history and the legal system
   * Legislative identities and racial hierarchies
   * Unpacking their meaning and comparisons
   * Terms have implications in real life
Chicana power 1960-70’s
   * Chicana term used in 1960’s during the chicano movement (feminine form of chicano)
   * Coined by activists 
   * Challenged gender, sexual, and racial norms within white society and in their own communities
   * Issues they addressed
   * Need for childcare
   * Abortion rights
   * Bodily freedom
   * Sex positivity
   * Gender discrimination and abuse
   * Worker’s rights
   * Medical racism 
   * Mental liberation
   * Challenged
   * European churches/ideology
   * And sought to break free from traditional gender roles, etc.
   * The chicana conference of 1971: Turning visions into action (600 Chicanas from 24 states met in houston, TX)
   * “Destroy the myth that religion and culture control our sexual lives
   * A woman must educate and aqquaint herself with outside issues and personal problems
   * Chicanas should understand that chicanos face oppression and discrimination but this does not mean that the chicana should be a scapegoat for the man’s frustrations
   * Mothers should teach their sons to respect women as human beings who are equal in every respect. No double standard
   * Establish communication with the barrio and implement programs of awareness to the chicano movement
   * Women of the chicano movement
   * Chicanas protesting mid 1970’s 
   * Stanta barbara Brown Berets demonstrating at sant barbara junio high school in 1970
   * Considered the more radical
   * Similar to the black panther party
   * Interests
   * Speaking out against police brutality,
   * The women of the movement were helpful in organizesing etc
   * The men werent very respectful to them for their place as activists, partners, sisters
   * They wrote a letter saying they wont be assigned to secondary roles when theyre worth just as much
   * Shortly after, the chapter disintegrated after
   * Cofounder of the united states farm workers association 
   * Dolores Huerta is on of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the chicano civil rights movement
   * Sessa Chavez worked closely with Chavez
   * Women leaders and activists arent as front and center as the males (by recognition)
   * She is and continues to be one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th /21st century
   * Shes still pretty active, in her eighties and is still working int he community 
   * Organizing groups within the chicano movement
   * Deeper meaning of chicana
   *  Politicized identity; a critique of whiteness
   * Chicano movement and after
   * Honouring self; reclaim Native and mexican culture due to colonization
   *    * Concern and love for larger community and its future
   * Lots are beneficiaries of these activists and education/ reform efforts
   * Past and present
   * Elements of social activism, art, writing and truth
   * Interest in the trust
   * Social, cultural, historical and spiritual awareness
   * Not just one thing
   * Intersectional: race, class, gender and sexuality
   *    * Chicana feminism: Xicanisma
   * No simple definition, there are a variety of theories/ approaches but there are some commonalities
   * Political stance- confronts patriarchy, forms of disempowerment and silence
   * Chicana liberation has meant freedom from racism and sexism+
   * The need for cultural sovereignty due to forced assimilation through white supremancy 
   * Fight for cultural integrity and dignity (recognized and respected)
   * Xicanisma, coined by Ana Castillo in 1994, called for chican/os to “reinsert the forsaken feminine into our consciousness, to embrace one’s indigenous roots, and support indigenous sovereignty”
   * She was a Famous writer 
   * Honouring mexican and indigenous culture(s); our heritage as indigenous people or indigenous Mixed
   * Ways we have recognized and reclaimed our culture ways: arts writing, cultural revitalization, family histories, native history, culture, spirituality, education/knowledge, self- respect, etc
   * Xicana pride, brown is beautiful (Xicana with the Xis used to signify an indigenous spelling/meaning)
   *    * Hard for them to fight for things that should be a basic decent human thing like respect, dignity
   * Politics orf dignity
   * Unlike educational rights, reproductional rights, workers rights, the above is harder to fight for
   * Anything you think is a given, day in day out woc don't feel seen/heard
   *

Transcript for:Exploring Chicana Feminism and Identity

Transcript for:
Exploring Chicana Feminism and Identity