In this week reading of Next of Kin we read about the film industry and a lot about Joaquin and being the first Chicano poem and film. What caught my attention in this reading was Sylvia Morales ideas, and thoughts of the exclusion of women in Chicano history. “Chicana” by Sylvia, Morales has different approach to the meaning of Chicano, it’s Chicana.
I took an interest on this topic, it made me think back, and try to recall a history book (besides college) that would include Chicana’s in History. The film begins to explain the root of women’s history and how it ties to Mexican culture. And how that ties into our culture here in the United States and the Chicana’s. Her film is still pictures of all types of women, working, stay-at-home etc. But Morales also mentions activist like Francisca Flores, Alicia Escalante and Dolores Huerta. She acknowledges that there can be two types of women, but none is better or worse than the other.
Morales goes on with mentioning patriarchy, and how it ties with the women of these times. In the film there were no men mentioned or involved. All these women stood alone, which represented absence of a man, and the need of no man. She goes into Mexican revolution era, and the demand for full right citizenship and independent economic based rather than dependence on marriage for survival. There was no need to have women only have economic stability to get married. It wasn’t and isn’t fair that women would only have a steady income through their marriage. This radical thinking is the reason why women like others and myself, have the opportunity to go to school, have a career and be independent.
From reading this part of this chapter, made me reflect a lot of women and our history. We learn in high school about the Civil Rights Movement, and may even watch films like “Walk Out”, but we never really have information about radical women involved in the movements. As a college student, I had never heard of Cherrie Moraga, or Angela Davis. Why is it that women that influenced us today are only mentioned in Chicano/a classes or in Women’s Studies? Chicana women influenced our times regardless whether you’re African America, Latina, Chicano/a, Asian or White. The Civil Rights Movement, The Women’s Movement, the Chicano/a movement and all movements, have affected our lives. And to go with all the movements there weren’t only men behind these movements but women as well. Strong women who had their own ideas and what they believed to be fair for all women. This patriarchal system embedded amongst Latinos marginalized strong women to be part of our History books.
This chapter motivated me (as you can read) to really reflect on my history as a Latina and to be first generation. There were so many women who impacted our lives and I agree with Sylvia Morales, that there is not enough women written down in history in regards to Chicano/a history. The message in regards to patriarchal system rising from years ago in Mexico, is also an affect that women took on and also brought on to the America.
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. Your third paragraph ties in well with last weeks poems by Marcela Christine, “Machismo Is Part of Culture.” Chicano women are constantly reminded that machismo is part of our culture. They mention it so much that many girls grow up to believe that they need to be dependent on a man in order to succeed in life. However, how you mentioned in the film there are no men and woman do just fine. Not just fine but they make a change for the better.
You also brought up a good question, as to why we do learn of such influential woman. We have a horrible public education system in k-12 in my opinion. Also, whether people want to accept it woman are still being oppressed and try to dismiss any important achievements. Luckily, we have to opportunity to take this classes in college. It is up to us to spread the word and educate the uneducated. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, writing Chicanas into history is crucial-Emma Perez talks about this in the “The Decolonial Imaginary: Writing Chicanas into History.” I like that you tie that into your essay, and talk about Morales deconstruction of our patriarchal society. Women, women of color, that is, specifically Chicanas, have not gotten the notoriety they deserve when it comes to their sociopolitical contributions in society. Yes, of course, women get the sociocultural notoriety, but not the notoriety that puts them in text or films as prominent figures in Chicana/o history. As you mention, there have been many women that impacted Chicana/o history, they are just underrepresented in textbooks, articles, or films. Sadly, this is due to patriarchy, and the notion that women are inferior, second class citizens-a very harmful ideology that limits our perspectives and/or ideas, ultimately limiting to our contributions to humanity keeping the male/female hierarchy intact…really sad for everyone! Women have so much to offer to humanity besides offspring. —Rodriguez is on point when he calls on “Shooting the Patriarchy” in Next of Kin!!!
Hello,
Sylvia Morales, also got my interest when I began to see how the it begin to discusses about the women in the Chicana/o culture. Morales touches about patriarchy in Mexican American culture. She gives a lot credit to Chicanas who are hard workers and still care for their families. It interesting to see how the chapter motivated you because it good that you were able to reflect on your history. Yes, I have to agree that not enough women are written in history. I believe that women should always be recognized in history because they have always contributed to society. Patriarchy has affected women in Mexican or Mexican American culture because of the structures that are implied of machismo in our society.
Hey,
I love your response to the reading. You incorporated what often times are never talked about. The women’s side of the story is always hidden. We are always taught about the great things men do, yet not so much about what women of color have done in History or in Films. The patriarchal structure makes us believe that the men were the ones to start everything, and take for granted all the stuff women contributed. Similar to you those readings also affected me because yes, as Latinas we also want to know about the things our fellow mujeres did in history!
your post was giving me life! lol. I totally agree! being a Mexican women myself in pursuit in the film industry this week really hit home, i was sad by the fact that i cant really think of work done by chicana filmmakers. I would love to have more women to look up to in the film industry who are like me. As far as not learning about powerful badass Chicanas in other class, i totally agree its so dissapointing. I’ve had to do a lot of research on these Chicana women for myself, which sucks because a lot of people have no idea who these women are. It’s disappointing to be learning about all the things men do but not all the things women have contributed especially women of color, like people learn about Susan B. Anthony but not women like Alicia Escalante
Hey!
Your post spoke to me on so many levels! Women are constantly cut out of history mainly because the subject is dominated by white ideologies and men. It was so frustrating that I did not learn about the contributions women have made towards society till I got to college. I think my confidence and identity would have been a lot more stronger if I would have known that women with backgrounds like mine contributed so much towards various disciplines and society. Chicana women deserve to be recognized for all the amazing things they have done. They are the reason why so many movements have been kept together because they are the ones who have been brave enough to bring up important things such as sexuality and gender.