Reading Assignment: Your reply (under Comments) is due before class on Wednesday, February 8. Remember, you don’t need to answer all or even any of the questions, but your response should demonstrate you’ve done and thought about the readings. Be sure to check and make sure your response posts.
Maylei Blackwell, ¡Chicana Power! (192-213)
Elizabeth Martínez, “Chingón Politics Die Hard,” (From De Colores Means All of Us 172-181)
How would you connect Elizabeth Martínez’s article to Blackwell’s theories?
As you come to the end of ¡Chicana Power!, what would you take from the text? If you were going to help revise it, what (if anything) would you suggest adding to or changing?
What are the rememberences that Blackwell sees coming out of her study? How do they work along side Martínez’s memories and challenges?
¡Chicana Power! has officially come to an end. It’s a great book that I feel traces really well the genealogy of Chicana feminism. This is the first book I read about the Chicana Movement but it is broken down really smart because it delineates how the movement begins locally, nationally and then expands internationally but she goes even further by providing biographical information about the women. With each chapter Blackwell adds a layer to the movement/history because she builds it up rather than present us with a load of historical information which might go over our heads or makes it easier to skip. Also I like how she focuses on key leaders of the movement because she provides us with a better insight with what the movement was about. It’s also easier to identify with a movement or a cause when it becomes personal. By adding some fragments of the statements they made throughout the movement and pieces of their writings really places the reader inside el movimiento. Most of all, I like that she highlights the struggles rather than just glossing over it because it is the struggles that bring the women together and makes them stronger. It is very realistic and it helps other leaders to realize that conflicts will always rise but what really matters is the actions taken after to address the problems and the manner to seek solutions. However if I was revising the book, I would suggest adding more about Chicana Lesbianism because women’s history is not complete without it. Plus it would better explain the concept of multiple oppressions from their experiences. She does address this towards the end by saying “While early Chicana Feminism did not always develop an antidiscriminatory stance toward non-normative sexualities and genders or link homophobia and sexism in its critique of patriarchy, it, like other early women of color feminisms, laid the foundation for other ‘intersectional’ paradigms of gay […] and queer to emerge” (211). This is great because it acknowledges that homophobia and sentiments really affected the study and focus on them but I think more can be discussed about it and especially, this book that tries to address every aspect of the movement. What I will take from this book are the concepts she utilizes and a lot of the terminology such as “oral histories”, “retrofitted memory”, “low riding in the women’s movement,” “chicana print,” “add-on method,” “bait and switch,” etc., because they apply and can cross over to other studies thus, supporting the concept of intersectionality. The book really emphasizes the rich history of the Chicana movement and I really enjoyed learning about it.
Like Beatriz mentions in her reply message, I also enjoyed the book because I think Blackwell provided a good amount of historical information in regards to Chicana feminisms in the 1960s-1970s. In my other Chicana/o Studies class I have read essays from Chicana feminist theorists such as Ivonne Yarbo Bejerano, (whom Blackwell mentions in “Chicana Power!”), but I haven’t really read about Chicanas in this time period or at least not with great depth. Blackwell mentions about lesbianism and the associations the Chicanas in the movement had with being “agringadas” and related to the white feminist movement, but I’m not sure that Blackwell provides much information about lesbians at the time. I think I would have liked to a balance between Chicanas in the movement and Chicanas who declared themselves lesbians and were also part of the movement. I’m not sure if I missed that, but I feel I began reading the book and always kept waiting to hear more about that. Other than that, the historical perspective, and insights from Chicanas in the movement was very helpful because we were able to get a first hand account. I also saw myself in some of these oral histories presented.
Despite the greatest challenges these Chicana women, who felt passionate about justice within the movement, had to overcome they stood strong and their mobilizing for child care, welfare rights, and other things that came out of their organizing was inspiring. Consider it happening 40-50 years ago, and the not so advanced technology we have today, it’s impressive to see how much was accomplished.
On the other hand, sexism is still something we challenge today. In the “Chingon Politics Die Hard” reading it is mentioned that “[b]oth men and women need to reject a manhood that rests on demeaning womanhood, a sense of identity for one that requires annihilating the other” (Elizabeth Martinez, 177). The fight against sexism is not to place women on a higher pedestal than men, but to place men and women on an equal place where one does not feel the need the control the other nor demean anyone who is not “heterosexual”. It’s not until we see each other as equal human beings that sexism and other kinds of oppressions will be terminated, I’d like to think someday this will happen but we still have a long way to go and much action to be done.
Reading ¡Chicana Power! for me was difficult mostly because of the level of relationship that I wanted to reach but could not obtain. In other words, it was hard for me to reach from my experiences and knowledge to be able to relate to the reading and/or grasp one of the many ideas presented by Blackwell in order to understand it. As she discusses the international influences that the Chicana Movement had (as well as the other feminist movements in the U.S.), I begin to understand based on what I’ve learned about the Latin American revolutions of the 60’s and 70’s. Having read ‘Chingon Politics Die Hard’ alongside the concluding chapter of Blackwell’s book, allowed me to understand some of the theories on retrofitted memory and the aversion to Chicanas in Chicano history.
‘Chingon Politics’ presented a clear situation and example of how the written history of Chicana involvement and the movement get snubbed for the “sake of la Raza.” Based on my own learning and viewing of biographical films about revolutions, I understand how difficult it is to be a woman during times of political turmoil. It does in fact increase the struggle and it must be made aware from the beginning.
Blackwell theorizes that there is a misunderstanding of the Chicana subject due to its international inclusion, and it’s criticism of it’s own race–while its members try confirming over and over that it does not aim to work against the Chicano Movement, but along side it. Martínez then attempts to break down the male labels, as the men have broken down female labels (such as feminist and lesbian) by focusing on the phrase, “macho.” She states that while there are women who reject the idea of machismo, there are those who are against the Chicana movement who defend it, claiming that it “embraces the best of manhood.” I see that Martínez is basically narrowing in on the idea of the challenges of Chicana Feminism as a subject, as presented by Blackwell.
Finishing ¡Chicana Power!, I think that what I will take away from this book, are the experiences that they faced. Before reading the book, I knew that Chicanas faced problems and oppositions, but I didn’t know the details about it. Reading about the experiences of being sexually harassed by those that were supposed to be their mentors or the different forms of threats that they received was very eye opening to me. Another passage that I will always remember is the one where they went door to door asking women questions about sex and what they would like to talk about. I think that it took so much courage for them to do that. Even now I think that it would take so much courage to do that. If there was a newer edition to come out in the future, I would like to see if she could interview some the men that did some of those things and ask them what they thought while doing that stuff and if their opinions or ideas have change since then. Do they feel any regret for the things that they did? It would be interesting to see if they have daughters and what they want them to do in their lives?
With the Elizabeth Martinez chapter, I feel that it is similar to Blackwell’s idea too. Its not that they want to see Chicana women being on top of men in the social order, but instead they want to be on the same level as the men. They want to find a way where both parties are respected without having to demean the other party.
On finishing !Chicana Power! I have definitely learned a lot about the specifice issues that Chicanas faced. I have learned how the role of the Chicana has been taken for granted in history and how it has developed to be part of course curriculums today. I have learned a lot more about Anna NietoGomez and about the impact that women-based organizations have had in the way they are depicted and talked about today. I enjoyed this book because it depicts how Chicana’s were not given any credit for their actions in the beginning of the Chicano Movement and then it shows this same transformation into the way Chicanas were not given the same importance in history in the Chicano Studies Curriculum. This shows that even after the movement, and after the struggle to get a Chicano Studies Curriculum, it seemed as if they were still in the same position, except applied to a different context, or medium. Chicano studies was supposed to give the full story, but once again, its classes were not focused on the Chicano and the mujeres, but more on the Chicano movement and the male leading figures, not at all about the women in the Chicano movement and their contribution. This has made me reflect on how priviledged we should feel about having an opportunity to take a Chicano Studies class specifically catered to the accomplishments and contributions of women.
I enjoyed reading the book, however, if there was something I would change, it would probably be adding in more personal stories. I really enjoy reading real life scenarios of what really went on at all the events that are mentioned in the text. I like how Martinez talks about specific examples, and sets very particular scenes in her words and descriptions like how the males dominated a talk through their eye contact and direct gestures from male to male as if they were the only ones there. !Chicana Power! is very structured, but I would have enjoyed a few more informal excerpts on the real life description of more of the events that it mentions and their historical aspects.
For being my first Chicana/ women studies class, ¡Chicana Power! is a very informative book. I liked how Blackwell focused on the Hijas de Cuauhtémoc, but also included the historical background of that time. This book is very different from traditional history books because it uses “retrofitted memory.” It is a unique way to tell history that really struck me. I was able to read firsthand accounts and memories directly from the Chicanas that were involved in the movement. What I got from this text is a new understanding of what Chicana feminism is and how it played out in different women’s lives. I truly admire these women because if I was in their shoes I don’t know if I would be able to do what they did. They were able to take the good and bad experiences of the Chicana movement beyond university campuses and apply them to local and international women affairs. Chicana feminism roots “emerged from the community, traveled through the university, and returned to the community and cross-border visions of social change” (195).
I agree with Beatirz and Yara. I would have liked to have read more about Chicana lesbians and how homosexuality affected the movement. The book mentions it here and there, but it never goes into detail. I would have also liked to know of any male supporters of the Chicana feminist movement, if there were any during that time. This book demonstrates the Chicanos as being the main oppressor of the Chicana movement, so I want to know if there was any “good guys” out there.
“Chingon Politics Die Hard” was quite disappointing because it seemed like the Chicanas had made little progress in building equality with Chicanos. Sexism still occurs today, the battle still isn’t over. “When the subject of women was not on the official agenda, old-style practices and attitudes reasserted themselves.” The Chicanos at the reunion still had the same mentality as 20 years before; however, they were tolerable to the recognition of women’s efforts during the reunion but that didn’t mean they considered them their equal.
Its crazy to have to read everything Anna NietoGomez had to endure as she was looking to further her career. Receiving tenure, from my understanding, can be hard enough but to be faced with a crowd like that, I give props to Anna for fighting as much as she could. However I am very sad to read about how she felt like she just had to quit after all that because the support wasn’t always there. To read about how she went to the open MEChA meeting and did not receive adequate support but just mixed reactions, makes me sad to be part of such an organization. However as a MEChistA at LMU, I feel we do our best to support our Latino staff, faculty as well as the community as a whole. Just goes to show the change in times and the differences within the same yet different group.
But I think what saddens me the most is to read about how Anna felt targeted by Rodolfo Acuña. Rodolfo Acuña is the author of “Occupied America,” a book I read during my Introduction to Chicano Studies class as well as a professor at CSUN, who is still there to this day. He is a very controversial name at the moment because of “Occupied America” and the opposition to Ethnic Studies in Arizona. So it seems like we almost glorify him, but we seem to overlook the struggle he put Anna through and his opposition to help her further her career. I feel like if it was not for him we would have two awesome professors in that department in CSUN. So how can we glorify someone who oppressed someone else?
It seems to me that elizabeth and Blackwell both know they want to see women liberated in some way. Blackwell is more stronger with her visions pertaining to how she wants to see Chicana women treated equally with Chicano men. Blackwell it seems, judging by the end of her book, is dedicating her life to get as close as she can, Chicana women equal to Chicano men. Elizabeth on the other had has seen that in about 40 years since the Chicana movement, there really hasn’t been much difference in how Chicano men view Chicana women. It almost seems like elizabeth has just accepted the way that Chicano men will somewhat always feel they need to be “over” Chicana women in their daily lives. Even though Chicana women could fight for equality against their men, they would prefer to do so in a cunning way, rather than be confrontational. Elizabeth I think accepts this method of women Chicanas fighting for equality, rather than Blackwells confrontational approach.
I enjoyed reading ¡Chicana Power! for a few different reasons. One was that it was very well written in an easy to understand. But not only that, it included many Chicana leaders and not just a historical view of them. It was definitely a more hands on approach with Blackwell, by going out to speak with these Chicana activists gave a pretty clear description of Chicana feminism and its roots. It also makes for a much more enjoyable read. If only all textbooks could be similar to this. Towards the end of the book I was really surprised to see the battle of NietoGomezs tenure get so heated that she was forced to resign. I couldn’t believe she was receiving death threats over such issues. I think it shows how serious the matter was, not only for her but also for everyone, its unfortunate however that she couldn’t battle on simply theories and intellect instead she was brought down by personal remarks. For example she addresses this when she was accused of rape, not to “confuse the issue as a personal one…” (202). I was sad to see how NietoGomez was rejected from the very thing she had worked so hard to be a part of especially when it seems that it needed her most during that time.
Sorry for the late reply but if it’s any consolation this section of reading was the most intriguing. The most anticipated subject for me in the course was to hear more about Anna Nietogomez’s battle for tenure. Only hearing about it I wanted to learn more but never had the chance and this week’s reading approached the subject and had an entire section devoted to it. The Case of Sexism describes Anna’s fight for tenure and a struggle it was. After showing the university that she was deeply involved in the community, have several publications, and having many positive reviews from professors, she was denied. The part I enjoyed the most was of the section when Anna sent in a letter of resignation but put reasons not of why she was resigning but of why she felt she was terminated. I felt although she gave into the universities plea she still have the courage and the heart to defend herself and her name. Anna has been referenced in many articles and writings we have ready and she is inspirational. This book did amazing job classifying that.
When Maylei Blackwell wrote of the oppression of Chicana women by machismo Chicano men, it had the effect of making me angry. When Elizabeth Martinez wrote of the oppression of Chicanas by machismo Chicanos, it really just made me sad. In the 1960s and 1970s, the period Blackwell was mostly covering, the movement and the people involved were young. Machismo culture was practiced in its extreme primarily by college age men, naive and ignorant and passionate. The time period of Martinez’s recollection is the late Eighties, very nearly the Nineties, and it takes place at a reunion of old Chicano and Chicana activists. Even after these twenty years, in which you would imagine contained the growth of the movement and the growth of its individuals, the prevailing ideologies were still that of machismo and chingon politics. All the work that Blackwell showed us that Chicanas did for el movimiento and their own feminist movements and community organizing was seemingly forgotten, save for a few throwaway tributes. I was sad to see so many men unchanged in their thoughts about women, about feminism, and about cultural and traditional roles. To read this piece directly after finishing Chicana Power! left me with a feeling of great frustration. Though they have certainly made important strides and impacts, it is shocking to discover how much work there is left to do to eradicate the oppression of Chicanas by their brothers, husbands, and fathers.