I am a Chicana, but what does that mean? Chicana is a Mexican American mujer who is raised in the United
States. This post is for the Chicanas who
has a “minority” status in her own land, México, and the United States. I am
proud of my brown skin and being a Chicana.
I feel that Chicanas are mujeres of México, even though we where
raised in the United States. México was our homeland.
The term Chicana was coined during
the Chicano Movement by Mexican America mujeres. The term was made because they
wanted to establish social, cultural, and political identities for themselves
in the United States. The ideas and terms where taken out of umich.edu.
Chicana Ideology and
Issues
So what do Chicanas believe in? Besides being Mexican American and raised in
the United States, most Chicanas
share some common ideologies and issues. Here are some of them listed below.
Seed of Progress
Chicanas
had slowly evolved in living the United States society in terms of cultural
norms and value. Even though they have evolved they still face cultural
barriers that have prevented them from benefiting from all of the gains made by
the social movements. Chicanas are faced with oppression in the Chicano
movement ideology, but also with their own kind such as Mexicans, Chicanos, and
Chicanas for “selling” themselves out by breaking traditional Mexican roles.
Cultural-nationalist resistance
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| Feminist Symbol |
A problem
Chicanas faced is the attempt to expand their gender roles. The attempt is
resisted within their cultural nationalist Chicano movement. Many Chicanas are also joining their own
feminist movement for notions of equality and egalitarianism. The problem is
that the Chicano movement sees it as a threat to their core ideas instead of
embracing or helping their Chicanas. Chicanas are desperately trying to
demonstrate that it should be in the Chicano movement because feminist ideas
have been “an integral part of their Mexican and Chicano heritage.” Chicanas
who are feminist or who advocate for equal rights and expanded roles for
mujeres have been accused of betraying their people and traditions for egoism. There
are some Chicano men who still want the mujeres role to revolve around family
and housework, even when they accept money brought in by mujeres working in
maquiladoras or factory jobs.
Being Too Anglo:
The idea of
being “too Anglo” is seen as an obstruction for the Chicana progress. The
Chicano movement sees that a Latina mujeres role is Chicana first and United
States second. Therefore some values
mujeres wish to uphold from the United States, such as freedom from gender stereotypes
are not “Chicano.” If someone goes under the “Anglo” model than they are seen
as vendidas (sells outs.)
Social freedom through economic freedom:
Chicanas had made amazing accomplishments as members of the
workforce. Some of the jobs are consider
abusive and not ideal, such as jobs in maquiladoras, food processing plants,
and other factories, but these poor uneducated mujeres are making additional income
that is needed. From the money earn
Chicanas have a greater autonomy for influences under their marriages and
gender roles. The problem is that mujeres working outside does not match their
gender role and is angering some men, still mujeres are proud. It is their
belief to be able to gain social freedom through economic freedom.
Resources:
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