Discussion Questions: Chicana Feminism, Theory & Praxis EXTRA CREDIT. Anzaldua, Borderlands/La Frontera, Chapter 7: La conciencia de la mestiza- Towards a New Consciousness Why does la mestiza struggle with her identity–according to Anzaldua? What “inner war” does la mestiza battle? How does the “new mestiza” cope with her identity “crisis”? Do you believe that all “mestizas” must live in a pluraslistic mode (p. 101)? Why or Why not? What does Anzaldua say that the mestiza needs from the Mexico “macho” male? What does she want them to admit and why? Do you think Anzaldua would have the same argument about mestizo men? Or would that be different? Why or why not? What sexist elements of the Mexican-Indian culture does Anzaldua say mestizas need to and want to change? What are Anzaldua’s attitudes toward Anglos and men? What have they “taken away” from mestizas (or Mexicans in general)? Vicki Ruiz, From Out of the Shadow: Chapter 5: La Nueva Chicana: Women and the Movement What was the result of the 1968 LA walkouts/”blowouts”? What does this quote mean? How do you interpret it? “It was not that they wanted a piece of the “American pie,” they wanted the freedom to bake their own pan dulce.” What is “The Curse of La Malinche”? How does it impact chicanas, chicana feminism, and Mexican female identity and empowerment? How have chicanas attempted to revise the negative interpretation of La Malinche? What did Chicana “loyalists” believe about the Chicano Movement? What was their perspective on Chicana feminists/liberalists? What kind of image did “La Adelita” or the soldadera portray? How did women become involved in La Raza Unida?
Discussion Questions: Chicana Feminism, Theory & Praxis EXTRA CREDIT. Anzaldua, Borderlands/La Frontera, Chapter 7: La conciencia de la mestiza- Towards