chicano studies final
Equality
People putting in an equal amount toward a common goal, there is no particular gender, you are a partner, and everyone is equal. "Being feminist included equality that were defined not by a persons gender but by the tasks needed to be completed to maintain and further a relationship."
egalitarian relationships
a relationship between a man and a woman based on the concept that both people are equal.
Exposure
people becoming more aware of cultural, social, and political ideas and/or being more accepting of people or of self usually through education
barrio
spanish word for neighborhood
Guarding the Body
"...my respondents agreed with the white feminist stance that women, and not the state, should decide whether they procreate or not. Respondents saw many women's futures crippled by unwanted pregnancies and felt that such an intimate decision should not be made by a gov't composed of mostly men"(221) There were various Chicana women that felt they had a right to their own bodies, and there were outside factors such as not enough money to support a child, and raising the child alone that influenced many Chicana women's support of pro-choice. I found it very interesting that it is quite true that the government is composed of mostly men and the government is in charge of enforcing regulations on abortion, when it is women who should decide how they want to live their lives and they should be making decisions based on what they want to do with their own bodies.
"testimonio"
"A song as a sonic and literary manifestation is life's sound-scape, a unique cathartic memento, and a powerful political tool...song is also an important historical text. A person's testimonio can be expressed in Song lyrics." "Testimonio has been an important intervention in an effort to decenter subjective knowledge and Western research paradigms that often 'other" communities of colour, for testimonios centers first-hand knowledge and experience as an invaluable resource and a place from which knowledge can be formulated" Music in this case is used as a testimony to Gonzalez's life experiences and struggles as a mother/artist. A testimony can serve as a way for people, specifically Chicanas in this case, to provide proof of their existence in a society where they are largely forgotten or invisible. -"Mixing in the Kitchen" Vanessa W Tuesday 4pm Team Mystic Luis, Ivan, Jocelyn, James, Brianna
Disfrasismo
"A way of communicating the most profound thought or feeling using a complementary union of two words or symbols, which expresses one meaning..." - Jeanette Rodriguez; "A result of activism that is rooted in love for self and community" - Alma Lopez
And if I am ever able to get out of this bed...
"And if I am ever able to get out of this bed, I thought but obviously could not say, I am going to wring someone's neck, not appreciating at all the picture of me that was emerging among the three of them: an overworked, middle-aged, depressed boozer. Wort of all-in their eyes-single. In Mexico, that alone should have given me reason to want to drink myself to death." (p121) · Their expectation with the diagnosis makes this an interesting quote. Instead of listening to what the doctor says, her friends told the doctor that Ana was drinking at the pool to prove the reaction. But at that moment, drinking sounds like some sort of crime that can cause death since the doctor never took the patients seriously, and just assumed that her reaction was due to drinking alcohol. There had been cases that the doctor kicked Chicano patients out of the hospital while they really need treatment.
Cult of Virginity
"Belinda Martinez did not feel that premarital sex with her boyfriend...was morally wrong. ...Disclosing the truth to her mother led to ostracism and a month of silence" (p275 Voicing Chicana Feminisms)
Chicanas expressing their sexuality
"Chicana feminists, by writing about sexual pleasure, have debunked the notion that Mexicana/Chicana women do not fully participate in their own sexuality." Voicing Chicana Feminisms (p.281) This quote is important to the overall purpose of Voicing Chicana Feminisms because a goal of this book is to make people realize that Chicana/Mexicana women are strong and resilient, and not weak and submissive as they are often viewed as being by society. By speaking about their sexuality, they are going against what the patriarchy has established as being the "norm" within the Chicanx/Mexican culture. What the patriarchy considers taboo, such as women speaking about their sexuality, is being normalized, at least by the Chicanas that participated in this study. This serves a greater purpose to the book as it shows that these women are breaking the gender stereotypes imposed on them by their own community.
Education as Transformation
"College gave them exposure to a variety of frameworks for examining their life experiences in attitudes and those of their families. In fact, a college education was the main path through which most gained awareness about the meaning of their own and others group memberships" (pg. 229). If you're not brought up with awareness of your culture or identity, college is a good experience to better understand their culture as a whole. Many respondents grew up in neighborhoods predominantly of their own culture, so when they went to college that was full of other cultures, they better understood what their culture was about and how they identified personally with it.
Education
"Drugs were the way, providing the only opportunity at hand to make money quickly. I knew I didn't have the patience to work for years in landscaping; it was too repetitive and most importantly did not meet my dream of living an exciting life. I feared getting stuck with landscaping for the rest of my life." (A Place to Stand pg. 71)
Constructing Mestiza Culture
"I abhor some of my culture's ways, how it cripples women, como burras, our strengths used against us, lowly burras bearing humility with dignity." - Voicing Chicana Feminism pg. 259 "Mama was a street urchin... At seven years old, or maybe eight, she scurried, quick and invisible as a Mayan messenger, through the throngs of that ancient metropolis.
Biculturalism
"I grew up on both sides of the U.S.- Mexico border with the image of La Virgen de Guadalupe in my home." (pg. 249) The idea of La Virgen de Guadalupe is present not only in households in Mexico, but the families on the other side of the border assimilated to the role of La Virgen de Guadalupe as well. She is present in "each family home...", in the public spaces in the churches, etc. and serves as a way to maintain their cultural roots, while also adapting to a new one. Despite being minorities, they are able to keep on to their own roots while being apart of both heritages. Both heritages and cultures are able to exist and effect one another for the individual.
Emotions-
"I squeezed my eyelids to push the hurting memories out, but all that did was make me weep out all my pent-up anxiety and frustration."(175) Jimmy's father was his only masculine figure, so Jimmy grew up thinking a way to take out your anger is by doing it physically since that is what he saw when he was growing up. Jimmy has to grow up quickly since he grew up mostly on his own, Jimmy was not taught how to portray his emotions. Also, growing up in the environment in which he did he learned that fighting was the only way he could protect himself. This is the fist time in the book Jimmy mentions he cries and becomes vulnerable. He associated crying with it being a child-like act. Also, Jimmy's memories usually comforted him, but this time they brought him to tears. His memories made solitary confinement bearable and what made time go by quickly
Feminism
"I'm someone who believes in being very independent and does not need a man to take care of her. Financially, I think, is one way in which I don't need a man. But emotionally I love to have my husband there for me... But at the same time, If I don't have a boyfriend or husband, I'm not going to fall apart..." VCF Page 204 - Feminism in the eyes of most women is defined as a woman who can be independent and can survive without the need of any man. Financially, emotionally, and mentally, these women are independent. Some consider themselves a feminist off the bat and some don't believe they are able to say they are feminist because they're not sure if they are or aren't, yet they do believe in independence in women. - Feminism, in regards to our lives, is very accurate to how we see ourselves in our own lives. Alicia Z. Maciel gives a perfect definition of what feminism means for us.
Bridge People
"My sisters and I were 'bridge people,' my mother would tell us. We were children who lived in two worlds, but came from no one place. We spanned the experiences of two families of immigrants - Eastern European Jews and West Indian blacks. We were neither black nor white then: we were interracial"(Voicing Chicano Feminisms, 177). Definition/Explanation: People that come from mixed, ethnic cultural backgrounds. Children that come from families from different cultures/ethnic backgrounds, and don't have a dominant influence. They don't necessarily belong to one group/cultural flag, making it hard to define their own cultural identity.
Folklórico
"Participation in ballet folklóricos exposed respondents to Mexican music, reinforced the use of Spanish, taught them Mexican history, and exposed them to a Mexican aesthetic through dance and costume" 198 V. Chincana Feminism. A collective term for traditional Mexican dances with an emphasis placed folk culture and exaggerated, highly organized, movements and dress.
Gender Socialization
"Since his father and I split up when our child was still a toddler, I became head of household and both the doting and disciplinary parent" (Pg 143). In the book "Vocing Chicana Feminisms" by Aida Hurtado, we read about how many of the women interviewed lived in a household in were their fathers were the ones who brought the money and worked and the mothers would be homemakers. Now a days we see women be ore successful and getting higher education and a stable job. Now women have the opportunity to be able to provide for their family is they get a divorce. We how Ana Castillo is able to provide for her son and how she had to play both parent roles; furthermore, this demonstrates how much the roles of men and women have changed.
Denial and Unconditional love
"That day in the courtroom, I watched a little piece of my soul handcuffed. A piece of my soul looked like society's refuse. His feet were in socks and jail-issued sport slides. When our eyes met, Mi'jo's reddened. I love you, he mouthed. I love you, too, I mouthed back. Quietly, on the bench where I sat, I wept." (p.165) Analysis: This quote is particularly important because it marks the beginning of Ross's five stages of grief. At this point, she was in denial. She needed a video to convince her that her son was capable of a robbery. When Ana Castillo gave her guest speaker presentation during Thursday's lecture she mentioned this quote. She did what was in her power to help her son stay strong in prison. The journey to recovery and accepting the events was not easy. Castillo giving her son unconditional love was the fire that helped lite his motivation to eventually start reading and thinking about the future.
critical views or latino student organizations
"The majority of respondents were very supportive of Latino student organizations. However, few had severe critiques mostly centered around gender issues within the organizatios-men tended to dominate them and women were not allowed to play an equal role"
agonistic harmony
"We offer Jose's story as a feminist example of how context, community, relationships, and redefinition of masculinity helped one individual overcome the deleterious effects of incarceration and find redemption" (Hurtado 180). Explanaition: This quotes illustrates the concept of agonistic harmony because in order for Jose to achive his "transformation" he was helped by the people around him. The negative effects of incarceration were transformed as people came together to create a positive outcome.
Gender
-A socially constructed term by which individual's use to identify themselves. -Example: Biological sex and gender are two completely different things. Sex defines what bodily organs you have while GENDER specifically does not. Gender is matter how a person identifies them self(Transsexual, straight, gay, etc.) -Summary: There is no congruency between Gender and Sex. Just because you are a Female does not mean that you necessarily mean that you have to be straight. Same goes for Males.
Conocimiento
1. Conocimiento: a culturally specific method for individuals to overcome and heal from trauma. An integration processes used to transform people culturally. Quote: "conocimiento is situated within indigeneous beliefs about the connection between the spirit and consciousness" BM pg. 198 Explanation: It is a seven stage process without a beginning or an end, although it always moves forward. It starts with a jolt of awareness that can be described as a crash of emotional or physical sensation. This begins the second stage which is an openness to new perspectives. The process of conocimiento requires dialogue with others to become accustomed to the new way of life. Conocimiento facilitates insights that eventually lead to awareness. Conocimiento ends with a cultural transformation, where a person become more confident in themselves and their culture.
" "Formerly incarcerated individuals need a safe space"
A pillar of the BARRIOS UNIDOS PHILOSOPHY A buffer between incarceration and the real world IMPORTANT - formerly incarcerated individuals cant just bounce back immediately to Safe space to adjust back to regular life after prison to prevent formerly incarcerated men from returning to prison again Draws a straight line of cause and effect between the loss of cultural identity and the frustrations, anger, and the breakdown of communal fabric that led to gang and family violence.
"Theory in the Flesh"
A theory in the flesh means one where the physical realities of our lives-our skin color, the land or concrete we grew up on, our sexual longings- all fuse to create a politic born out of necessity." Connections: -Physical features such as skin color affect how Chicanas are seen and although it's effect can have negative (Colorism), it is also a creates unity in the community. -Chicanas don't necessarily fit into the hegemonic idea of beauty because theres are such a road spectrum of features such that it's difficult to classify or label them. Not fitting in with the beauty standards causes negative assessments Chicana features that it it pushed them to reclaim it (part of the strategy for social change) TA: Emily UNZUETA, Friday 9am Group 4 Evelyn, Adriana, Rafael, Lorena, Ryan
defrasismo
A way of communicating the most profound thought or feeling using a complimentary union of two words or symbols, which express one meaning. The indigenous people combined their God Tonantzin with the Christian Mother of God in order to disguise their resistance with obedience
Gender Norms "A Place to Stand
Applying the concept of societal gender norms to "A Place to Stand" * Under societal norms a good woman is supposed to reflect the image of La Virgen, in other words a perfect woman, one that is pure, loyal, submissive, loving, and nurturing. In "A Place to Stand" Jimmy's mother is the complete opposite of this representation, she has extramarital affairs, leaves her children behind, and had a divorce. Meanwhile Jimmy's father falls under a normal man under gender norms. He was very dominant, jealous, aggressive, drunk, and was involved in extramarital affairs as
Assimilation (in context of A Place To Stand)
Assimilation is the notion that people from other cultures should forget their previous culture and cultural activities and become part of the "main" culture of the new country they live in. This is presented in A Place To Stand with Jimmy's mother, who told the her children not to speak Spanish and was told by Richard that it would be better if she "was Anglo" and pretended "she was just babysitting" her children (Baca, 15).
Self Reflexive
Belonging to different identities but also subjective in the way they act in those different groups. "individuals intersectional identities and potential commitment to multiple subjective" (167)
"A Place to Stand
But if prison was the place of my downfall, a place where my humanity was cloaked by the rough fabric of the most primitive manhood, it was also the place of my ascent" (pg.4).
"It will take 170 years for women to be equal to men
Closing the economic gap remains the biggest challenge for several reasons. More women than ever are working, but they're still responsible for the bulk of the household chores and caregiving for both children and the elderly" Interpretation: This passage describes how women are treated differently in society, and how their roles in society are expected to align with traditional values of motherhood and caregiving. This expectation is also witnessed in chicana/o culture as women are expected to uphold the values of la Virgen in the household, and be "good women". This work that women do is often unpaid, and overlooked, contributing in part to the wage gap.
Consciousness
Consciousness is the awareness that the groups one belongs to hold a certain status (either powerful or not powerful in society). Consciousness also requires a decision whether to take action to change this status, not just for oneself but for other members of the group as well"(228) Two things facilitating consciousness → " exposure to knowledge as they entered higher education ; the other was political activism as enacted by women in their lives"(228) Chicana women realized that knowledge is power and in order to break free from social constraint they must be educated. It takes education to realize what discrimination is and how to find ways especially through political activism to break free from this inequality.
Accountability
Def: Taking responsibility for actions. Quotes: " Accountability assumes that the self is not constituted in the individual but, rather, encased in a body that is socially connected." (169) "Accountability is intended to ensure that an individual's behavior is in accordance with her or his political commitments and beliefs about transformation and achieving social equity." ( 170)
Dispensary
Definition/Explanation: There was no hospitals or doctors in rural areas therefore a dispensary was where they would go to get medicine at inexpensive prices.
Facultad
Definition: "Oppositional consciousness", "multiple realities", or a state of "conscientizacion." The ability to cope with many social realities including language, culture, and beliefs. Example: One of the respondents, Tomasa, was admitted to an elite university where most students were upper-class. Tomasa refused to become alienated from her parents and instead, worked to rescue the stigmatized view of them. Quote: "Tomasa has to see what society thought of dark, uneducated, poor people while simultaneously seeing their strength, beauty, intelligence, and dedication - all of this while still excelling academically" (Pg. 274 VCM). "My respondents embodied this facultad, born out of their daily existence. They developed what I call multiple subjectivities that allowed them to see the partial truth in what on the surface appeared to be contradictory social realities..." (Pg. 274 VCM).
E El Arrebato
Definition: "Shock" resulting from a change in culture or surroundings Quote: "My mother called me in Michigan. She told me, 'I need you.' That's when I knew it was serious, because my mother was a very strong woman, she did her own thing, she never said that she needed me" (Voicing Chicana Feminisms, 171). Summary of Quote: Sara, in her story, is reacting to the shock of discovering that her mother has been diagnosed with cancer while she is in graduate school. The initial shock, or El Arrebato, surrounds the idea that her mom truly needs her help in overcoming the obstacles of cancer.
" "jackets"
Definition: "jackets" was the slang term for court transcripts that were kept at the Wheelhouse (the administrative center). Cons ran the administrative center so before you hit the DC, the cons already knew everything about you. Significance: The guards assumed that everything in the court transcripts was all there was to know about the inmate so there was no reason to find out more about them. Also, other inmates used this information to gain advantages by finding out information about the con.
Cultura Es Cura
Definition: (Culture is Cure) A method of alternative healing through consciousness raising practices. Quote: "Cultural awakening, awareness, and respect are essential keys to progress" (Hurtado, 183) Explanation: These practices are vital since they are aimed at ending violence in communities through community efforts. These are put to the test when rehabilitating released prisoners attempting to reintegrate back into society. Section: Yunuen Gomez Ocampo, Tuesday 3PM
Criminalization
Definition: (from Google)"the process by which behaviors and individuals are transformed into crime and criminals" "I knew I had enough anger in me to funnel into destructive behavior" (A Place to Stand, 32) When his parents abandoned him he felt an anger that transferred into his behavior (that made him act out), his acting out made him a more visible target for authority figures. I say 'more visible' because just by being a Latino and male, he already had the odds against him. Add his destructive behavior to the fact that he is a Latino male and he has become a scapegoat for authority figures. Authority revels on a reciprocal system of respect; if we do not receive the respect we think we deserve, then we will not return respect or adopt a subversive attitude.
Altar
Definition: A table or surface used for religious rituals; a form of offering and recognition Quote: "Chicana feminists who are not artists also construct altars, not to venerate the Catholic Church but rather to feature their own personal experiences." (VCF p.294) Explanation: Some altars, rather than worshipping God, are more about the individual. On their altar, they put pictures of Chicana academics who had not denied their background. Altars also represented an individual's self-healing process. TA: Yunuen Gomez Ocampo; Wednesday, 8am
No Name" Feminisms
Definition: A term describing aspects of feminism observed in women of color that are disassociated from traditional scholarly definitions of feminism. Quote: "...White academics have put forth many definitions of feminism but have failed to substantively capture the experiences of poor women of color" (VCF 198) Explanation: These feminisms stress control and independence, and the overall right to decide their roles at home and in society, but can allow characteristics such as chivalry. The book exemplifies this through stories of Latina mothers and their hopes for their daughters to be educated and financially independent.
G Ganas
Definition: Directly desire and mold the soul to fight back. Quote: "As hokey and to a certain extent unrealistic as this advice was for students who faced enormous structural barriers such as poverty, poor schooling, and violence, there was also an underlying truth to his advice" (Hurtado 278). Explanation: "Ganas" is a concept in which individuals of the Chicano community use as motivation to succeed even though the odds are against them. It is a motivation to keep moving forward regardless of the obstacles.
Gender Role
Definition: Gender roles are defined as socially constructed "appropriate" behaviors given an individuals identification. In particular, this is heavily thematic of the book A Place To Stand, in the protagonist's heavy machismo identification. This is determined by his constant engagement in physical conflicts, emphasizing strength and external hardness. The character feels social constraints to preclude sign of weakness, in his many attempts to avoid tears from his pains-although it is clear this is very difficult and impacts him greatly psychologically. Quote:"I realized I was feeling used....when..Theresa and I were left alone, we didn't grow any closer...We didn't have much in common other than violence and drinking" Summary of Quote: This quote in itself emphasizes Baca's machismo characterization, as his girlfriend flaunts his fighting skills to her friends, using him like one would a fighting dog. However shortly afterward Baca realizes this and shows genuine pain from the lack of emotional connection with his girlfriend
Dia De Los Muertos
Definition: November 2nd, Day of the Dead Quote: "We were going to have a little celebration at home for Día de Los Muertos. We always had some mujeres [women] come over a rezar el rosario para mí mamá [to pray the rosary for my mother.]" (Hurtado, 2003.) Explanation: Celebration of the dead, families visit their deceased loved ones with cempacúchitl flowers and food in the cemetery
No-Name" Feminisms
Definition: Resist subordination through their activities in everyday life, whether in renouncing the cultural prescriptions that control their bodies or rejecting pejorative self-perceptions. They acted like feminists but not the label because being a "feminist" was frowned upon In their views= happy to be a woman Very independent Courageous Ability to survive Quote: "It's all about the same concept of being self-sufficient, taking care of yourself, and fending for yourself instead of being dependent on people and at somebody's mercy" (Hurtado, 2003, p.199). Yuneun: T 3:00-3:50 Group: Bernie Buddies
Call to Action
Definition: To pull out of the third space (Coatlicue) and break free from routinely escaping realities one is reluctant to deal with, and jumping into a space of change and transformation Quote: "I had to actively pursue people in my life and find dark people and be around them because they're beautiful and if I'm with them, then I'm beautiful and I'm just as brown." (Voicing Chicana Feminisms, Page 177
Floating Signifier
Definition: When race is made visible through skin color and facial features, and gains significance in relation to other signifiers in social contexts. Quote: "I knew that no matter how privileged or how educated my respondents were, their skin color and facial features always mattered" (Hurtado, 178) Explanation: Despite their attempt to seem anglo, many Mexicans have unavoidable physical traits that keep them from making such change, others may also embrace it as a strength. Section: Yunuen Gomez Ocampo, Tuesday 3PM
Fandango
Definition: community based participatory music and dance practice Quote: " I am an active practitioner in a translocal, community based, participatory music and dance practice known as fandango" (Gonzales 69) Explanation: This was used in Mexico to exercise as a ritual celebration in honor of a towns saint or community celebrations such as weddings, funerls etc. Section: Yunuen Gomez Ocampo, Wednesday, 8AM
Con El Nopal En La Frente
Definition: having Mexican traits (Voicing Chicana Feminisms Pg 178) Quote: "My sisters did the whole highlight, blonde streak thing and my other sister wore blue contacts for a while to get away from the fact that they were Mexican. Of course, they had the nopal [cactus] right on their foreheads" (Hurtado, 2003) Explanation: -cultural view
Economic Independence
Definition: ownership of all your goods, no longer having to financially depend on anybody for anything.
Break
Denying them the right to choose the smallest of personal behaviors violates inmates' sense of humanhood. This level of control is designed to 'break' them, as Jimmy Santiago Baca so pointedly relates" (203).
Egoism
Egoism is the thought process in which you put your own self-interest ahead of everything else. In order to grow as a human being, you must recognize and be self-aware of your own egotistical ways. Once this is recognized, you can "break the individualist thought the modern world upholds."
Entre Mujeres
Entre Mujeres
Discrimination
Exclusion of or harsh feeling towards any person due to their personal identities; gender, sex, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. "Racial discrimination as well as other types of exclusionary acts influenced respondents' assessments about gender inequalities. They focused on the ways in which their feelings of marginalization informed their perceptions of women's oppressions."
Fathering Feminist
Fathers would create strong independent women because they would assign chores that usually a boy would do. "Father were also important in making their daughters feminist. Ironically, they created feminist by raising their daughters like boys rather than girls." (pg 216) Voicing Chicana Feminist. David Alvarez
Chicana Feminism
Feminists in general, and Chicana feminists in particular, did what social scientists often failed to do: we took women's experiences seriously. We tried to understand women's social existence from their point of view. Simply, but profoundly, we allowed women to speak." P. 272, VCF. a. I chose this quote because I think it sums up the importance of Chicana feminisms. This quote encapsulates feminist theory and how letting women speak is important and vital in continuing Chicana feminisms. This quote connects to the term Chicana feminisms.
Cincuentañera
Fiftieth birthday celebration, celebrating 'el cambio de vida' (the change of life—menopause) and highlighting a woman's accomplishments, which may or may not include marriage and children "signifies the celebration of a mature woman...coming of age and celebrating with her family , friends, and community through rituals originating in her own culture "(293) menopause often has negative attitudes it is important to empower these older women having this celebration reminds Chicanas of traditional customs and celebrations "The cincuentañera serves as a 'teachable moment' in celebrating within and requiring the participation of community members who may not have obtained higher education. It brings intellectuals and professionals into Mexicano/Chicano communities where they might no longer live to reconnect with their roots" (294) Chicana feminists opened the door to a variety of activities designed to re-create, reinvent and renew their culture with a feminist twist reacquisition of cultural traditions that had been lost in their famous or that never existed expands feminist horizons
Goon Squad
Goon squad: The guards in riot gear that Bacca describes in his prison stay. The guards are a symbol of the battle Bacca faces in prison internally. This oppression Bacca faces in prison correlates with the beating his self worth takes in his internally when he commits crimes in prison.
Feminism in the Workplace
Group 5 Section Friday (12 pm) 2/10 Siena Matsumoto Feminism in the Workplace: Women should be paid the same amount of money and have access to the same level (prestige) and number of jobs. They should not be subjected to sexual harassment or negative attitudes. Beyond Machismo Notes: -views on feminism can be created through intimate relationships, family relationships, workplace relationships -alcoholic uncle that beat wife this informs a definition of feminism that involves placing violence into the women's lives -development can be off of a bad experience but can lead to various different viewpoints on feminism -women's oppression is tied to other oppressions this demonstrates intersectionality (this is a comment by a educated male that has been shown definitions of intersectionality) -most come from working class -gender is a stereotype that is likely to be true but is not necessarily always how things are
"Chicana Feminist Liberation Theory"
Group 5 Section Friday (12 pm) 2/10 Siena Matsumoto Chicana Feminist Liberation Theory: To be able to liberate, there needs to be an inclusion of multiple gender and also ethnic groups. It should include men, not just women because the basic definition is that all genders should be equal. This holds everyone accountable and raises awareness. It shouldn't be limited to women just because of the name, because it also includes the liberation of men from other social constructs.
your life before here never happened..
Here you have no feelings, no soul; only your heart will help you survive... There is no future, no past, only the moment; you will do what you have to do. You didn't exist before coming here; your life before here never happened. The only thought that drives you on is to be alive at the end of the day, and to be a man, or die fighting proving you are a man" (Baca, 131). In prison, a man's life is nothing but the day by day fight for survival. His past and future is no longer relevant. Flower Power. Haley, Rachel, Katie, Allison.
Feeling at Home
I was brimmed over, not only with a sense of accomplishment but with a warm feeling that I had my first real home." (62)
Family Affirmation
In Voicing Chicana Feminisms, this is the constant reminder by parents to their children, primarily Chicanas, that they are "beautiful" even if they don't coincide with the set American standard of beauty. Without this reinforcing praise, they may look for other people or things to qualify their aesthetics and what not. "Many respondents mentioned that somebody in their families, usually their mothers, constantly told them they were physically beautiful...'dad tells my mom, Nuestra nina es tan tan chula'" - Pg. 181
"Traditional Middle Class Notions of Femininity"
In the article on how discipline is affected by race, African American girls were compared by these standards, which states that women should be "passive and modest", whereas African American women are "stereo-typically confrontational and assertive." This shows that when these girls are racialized and put into these racial categories that act out of the traditional notions, they are disciplined more. "For instance, the contrast between 'traditional' middle class notions of femininity, which require girls to be passive and modest, and stereotypical images of African American females as loud, confrontational, assertive, and provocative, can generate differing punishments for similar conduct" "Does Race Affect Discipline in Schools?"
"Broom"
In the literal sense, one respondent told of how she actually hit her brother-in-law in the back with a broom because he was abusing her sister In the metaphorical sense, "broom" is used as a term to describe mothers and grandmothers who "take the broom" to a man's back to defend a female relative "Sandra Saenz's mother physically fought with her husband to let Sandra continue with her education". (page 213)
Acculturation
Like the Monarch butterfly, we carry the genetic memory of our transformations and our 'long walks". Alma Lopez uses an analogy to compare the people of color and their migration to the U.S. The fact that she decides to use a butterfly to symbolize migrants has a meaning beyond that of migration and acculturation because she could have other animals that constantly migrate but decides to use a butterfly, which most people see as innocent, beautiful and delicate as well harmless. Lopez is setting the idea that people of color are just on a journey of survival.
Feminist Mothering of Latino Men
Many Latino men were raised by and surrounded by Latina feminists so many of them grew up knowing about the systematic problems in society surrounding this particular topic.
Chicanas Speak Feminisms
Many of my respondents demonstrated their connection to women in their lives by encouraging them to go back to school or change jobs that were better suited for them. Other times they helped women in their families to leave relationships, sometimes with their fathers or stepfathers. Sisters often helped each other, the oldest usually counseling the youngest about such things as going into higher education or handling their parents when they had conflicts. Whatever the issue, there was an exchange of roles in which the daughter played the role of supportive friend nudging the mother to take action on her own behalf, or the sister acted as a mentor, teacher, or mother to the other. Aunts and grandmothers also took part in this womancircle that facilitated much of my respondents' success and happiness."
disobedience
Many teachers treat their students differently based on their discriminatory assumptions of each type of student. For example, teachers usually treat African American students differently because of their expectations of a disrespectful attitude or for them to talk back, leading to harsher punishments. This is usually opposed to the different expectations teachers have of white students by assuming they would provide higher levels of respect. quote: "The intersection of racial and gender stereotypes has a significant impact on discipline rates for African Americans. This is likely due in part to biased in the exercise of discretion by teachers and administrators
Ethnicity
My grandfather had always prided himself in his loyalty to his customs and traditions and people,"(Baca, 2001, pg.29). Growing up Mexican, Jimmy was taught to stay true to his culture. This led to Jimmy's decision to sabotage his adoption from Coach Tracy. This intersectional identity affects his life tremendously as this connects to the other identity of class. His life with Coach Tracy could have led Jimmy to a different life route, but staying true to his culture he drifted away from the "American dream."
Ánimo
My respondents not only had ganas but something even deeper, animo -- roughly translated as animus -- the soul to fight back through love, humor, optimism, and an unmovable belief in the future. This animus came from their families and primarily from their mothers, who were crucial in teaching them to turn offenses into life lessons." (278) The respondents were taught to enjoy life and to 'work hard and play hard'. They were especially taught by their mothers to not let work control their lives, but to also have fun. Life is a gift and we need to know how to have a balance so we could enjoy it but also get our work done. They were taught to have and use humor in their lives to have fun and let go sometimes. This quote stood out to us because it is a important to have a balance and not let work take over our lives.
Differential Mode of Consciousness
People switch from one identity to another (according to apertures in social structures) creating opportunities in struggles for social justice Feminism as a way to dismantle all sorts of oppression · "An area for future exploration is the Intersectional node of race, class, gender, and sexuality in the formation of gender consciousness among young educated, queer Latinos" (179)
Barrios Unidos
Program that helped Professor Hurtado's brother integrate back into society in Santa Cruz, CA after being incarcerated. They helped him because they had the conocimiento of the cultura. "A person [negotiates] conflict and difference within the self and between others, and find common ground by forming holistic alliances." (Hurtado, 214) Beyond Machismo
" "As feminists, my sisters and I had to confront our brother's use of expression and attitudes that violated his otherwise easygoing and loving ways with everyone around him"
Quote: "As feminists, my sisters and I had to confront our brother's use of expression and attitudes that violated his otherwise easygoing and loving ways with everyone around him" (Pg. 197 Beyond Machismo) Connect to earlier concept: Connects to the concept of prisonization. Help expand what you knew: Helped expand on focusing how males being in jail begin to be more generalized around being homophobic, masculinity and a change in attitudes. Importance: Important for the implementation into society and recognizing that some of the survival tactics and integration for an incarcerated environment might not be good.
Ch. 6 Quote
Quote: "Prison atmosphere, which only a week earlier seemed familiar and comforting, now filled me with tense trepidation" (A Place to Stand, 128). -Earlier, Jimmy found comfort in the rigid, unspoken rules of prison. However, after everything that he has seen while in prison, he realises how oppressive and difficult prison truly is to navigate. What once comforted him and reminded of the streets on which he grew up is now a whole different monster which he must navigate.
Degrouping
Quote:"The maintenance of the Spanish language, the rediscovery of the group's history, and the deconstruction of a group's colonization can impale its member from a state of degrouping, in which the collectively is marked as a group only for negative purpose (e.g., stigma, oppression), to a state of regrouping, as a defined by French social psychologist Erika Apfelbaum" pg. 72
"Subjective Offense"
Subjective offenses like disobedience or disruptive behavior can be code for a student's failure to conform to dominant gender stereotypes, which shape teachers' views of what is appropriate "feminine" behavior. Interpretation: This concept deals with the idea that students, girls specifically, could be disproportionately punished because losing emotional control and getting into physical altercations defies their normal gender norm.
American Dream
Term: American Dream, From Black Dove What: For Ana Castillo, Her and her families ideas of the American Dream give an insightful perspective on how the idea of the American Dream changes based on the identities you hold and the opportunities/resources you are given. Why: when looking at intersectionality, this example provides evidence of how the different social categories you belong to influence your social capital. It also emphasizes how marginalized groups can have extremely different experiences of the dream. THis corresponds to our study of the education pipeline, and how these differences in privilege manifest themselves into
Discourse
Term: Discourse Quote: "Her Participation as a model was also a feminist intervention to help her head from a rape, suffered at the age of eighteen,"(Voicing Chicana Feminisms, Pg. 290). Explanation: Discourse is defined as works of feminisms. The model is finally comfortable with sharing what has happened to her and wants people to know. Therefore, with the photos of the model we are allowing her not only to express herself but to bring awareness of the issue at hand, how women who grow through these scenarios are not being acknowledge and are still bring oppressed. The photos are helping others learn that this is an issue and its not being dealt with correctly in the statue quo. Thus, the photos help others acknowledge what is really happening them and bringing awareness to the oppression of women.
"The Call" in Beyond Machismo
The call is the fourth stage and is the stage in which a person wants more in life and needs to get over depression. The call in Beyond Machismo for Pepe was when he joined Barrios Unidos which was a rehabilitation center focused on creating a safe space, indigenous practices and spirituality. There he got his first job after prison and that ignited his passion to get involved with youth and achieve higher education
"Cross-border" beauty standard
The experience of a 'cross-border' standard of beauty alerted many respondents to the contextual nature of beauty judgments." (Voicing Chicana Feminisms, 183) Chicana women feel more beautiful depending on where they are Depends on the racially and socially constructed beauty standards which vary from place to place Example: In Mexico, all the men try to get their attention; in the U.S., they aren't noticed or desired as much.
Gender Consciousness
The recognition that one's physical sex shapes one's relationship to the political world. The gender consciousness of respondents of Beyond Machismo were influenced mainly by the women in their lives such as mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces etc. "While white women were relating to privilege through their relationships with white patriarchy (fathers, brothers, husbands, uncles), the Latino respondents were relating to Latina women's oppression."
Genetic Memory
This is the idea that cultural memories get passed down through generations within a culture. The author writes as if these stories are literally stored in their DNA, a metaphor for immutable ancestral truths.
critical positionality
This is when Chicanas took their own experience and ancestry from which to reconstruct gender relations and to access the dominant group's treatment of Chicanas and Chicanos. The meanings Chicano cultural ritual were turned on their heads for more radical purposes. An example of this is converting the quinceanera (15) to a cincuentanera (50) celebration.
"Riding around in the car Richard had given her, she'd point to white-skinned, blue-eyed children and say I should be like them."
This quote represents the expectation versus the reality of how Jimmy looks. His mother is comparing him to the white children they see in the streets telling him that is how he is suppose to look, saying that he should be dressed like a normal "American
Black Dove"
Why did God make you?" "God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world and be happy with him forever in heaven." If you weren't handed instructions as a child, as I was in catechism class, how would you come to have an understanding of "God" as a concept, if not a deity?" (Black Dove, 234)
Cross border" standards of beauty
Women of Latina heritage are viewed as exotic instead of beautiful inside the U.S, and only beautiful in south of the border.
Feminist Behavior
Women rejecting patriarchy but never actually using the title of feminist. "Women creating a circle of solidarity against abuse, neglect, and humiliation. They never called it feminist, they simply were defending women out of a sense of empathy and identification with their plight." (pg. 213) Voicing Chicana Feminist.
Black dove
black dove is a representation for the disconnectedness felt by many marginalized groups despite efforts to find one's place. Ana Castillo uses this analogy throughout the book to describe her experiences (Castillo 2016
Gender-Based Discrimination
definition/quote: "Similarly, because women are not perceived as equal to men, employment discrimination is more common among women, including unequal access to promotions" (Beyond Machismo). example: To this day women make approximately seventy cents to every dollar a man makes. On average, women of color earn even less than seventy cents.
Colorism
definition: prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group EX- "I used to rub my skin to try to be white...In one of my foster homes, my foster mom would always scrub us, and so i thought being dark meant being dirty" (Feminisms 177). In Chicanx culture, darker skinned siblings would be treated differently than their lighter skinned siblings. Within this culture and many other minority cultures, there were color lines formed. Lighter skinned POC would be treated better than darker POC even within their own race.
Borderlands Theory
feeling that you do not belong on either side of the border; proposed by Gloria Anzaldua Quote: "My parents subscribed to the Chicago sur times, which she read. She sold Avon for the thirty-eight years until her death. Still, her refusal to speak English at home convinced me that she didn't understand" (8, Black Dove)
con el nopal en la frente
idea that regardless of physcial changes or appearance that lead in the direction of not looking mexican at the end of the day they still are mexican and have the "cactus" or mexican ethnicity impaired on them. "My sisters were real gueras and I got called morena. I looked more mexicana than my sisters did. my sisters did the whole highlight, blond streak thing and my other sister wore blue contacts for a while to get away from the fact that they were mexican. of course, they had the nopal right on their foreheads."
Controversy
public disagreement Pg. 208 "To nonbelievers, the image 'seems rather innocuous,' but for many Mexicano/Chicano believers, especially in the predominantly Catholic State of New Mexico, it 'has caused such an uproar that museum officials say they have been threatened with physical harm and state law makers have suggested that the museum should lose some of its funding" Significant because she is a cultural and sacred figure. Alma López views that depicting her in that way was nothing wrong, but others offended because she was depicted in such a disrespectful way It is controversial because it stirred up a lot of uproar for Chicano believers
Color Line
quote: "You don't know how to be Mexican because you look white" (VCF 184). explanation: siblings at times are treated differently because of their skin color; lighter complexion has a direct correlation with the amount of discrimintation they experience. The Borderline Theory also applies because individuals with a lighter complexion may be in an in-between state because their facial features/skin color dictates how they are treated.
Grief (5 Stages)
this term is from "Black Dove" According to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's Theory, the 5 stages of Grief are: -denial -anger -bargaining -depression -acceptance Quote: "From the day I got the shocking news of his arrest to the end of his incarceration, I believe I experienced Elisabeth Kugler-Ross's five stages of grief. According to the theory, they are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. True to her model, I began this journey in denial" (165).
Carceral Conciousness
while incarcerated, inmates are in close quarters and surrounded by others twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, making it very difficult upon release for then to be alone. Depression is not uncommon, and social isolation is dreaded until they readjust to life on the outside."(pg.191
Centrality of women
women depended on each other and received social and emotional help
"A Place to Stand
would try to recall the memory vividly in language, spending hours crossing our and rewriting until i got so overwhelmed by all the old choices that i had to confine myself to describing the dungeon windows embedded with chicken wire."