Chicana Feminism

Before reading "Chicana Feminism," I knew that both diversity and similarity exists among and within groups of feminists. However, I never realized how extremely similar two groups of feminists could be, especially feminists of color. The author, Nietogomez, speaks about how feminism, in her culture, is viewed as contradictory. She states, "...if you're a Chicana you're on one side, if you're a feminist, you must be on the other side. They say you can't stand on both sides-which is a bunch of bull." In a book that I am currently reading, Gender Talk, by two Black feminists, Drs. Johnetta B. Cole and Beverly Guy-Sheftall, they include a chapter titled "Collisions: Black Liberation Versus Women's Liberation," which speaks to the same contradiction that Nietogomez mentions. I also noticed that like many Black feminists and unlike many White feminists, Chicano feminists are not gender separatists. They do not wish to exist without their men due to their shared culture. However, like Black feminists, she realizes the patriarchy within the Chicana community stating, "...we recognize and criticize the fact that the Chicano [man] seems to try to compensate for [the] lack of power with the use of 'male privilege'--coming down with the double standard."

I particularly find the way she addressed whether feminism is for Anglos interesting. She finds that question offensive as she states, "I resent the usual remark that if you're a feminist you have somehow become an Anglo or been influenced by Anglos. That's a sexist remark, whether it comes from hermanas or hermanos. Why? Because of what it is saying--that you as Chicana, a Chicana woman, don't have the mentality to think for yourself!" Although I've never considered that question to be offensive before, I agree with her. The thought of feminism being for White women definitely provides insight into how women of color are viewed.

Another similarity between Chicanos and Blacks is that they both have movements that deny the needs of women. Nietogomez states, " Male privilege sometimes makes the Chicano movement just like a male liberation movement." In the end, she exposes that Chicanos, like Blacks, perpetuate their own oppression through patriarchy.

With all these similarities, it becomes more evident why it's suggested that people of color should unify in their fight to end their oppressions.