I Am Chicana…Hear Me Roar!

“I try to speak because we’ve been silent as women for so long, especially Latinas, to the point of self-destruction.” -Sandra Cisneros

Silence has served as a looming force for women of Mexican descent. From historical research to educational systems, Mexicanas have been subjected to feelings of inferiority, oppression, and discrimination. For decades and centuries, we had remained silent.

Now…hear us roar.

We have carried the burdens of our ancestors and the rich history of our native land. Our roots lie in the blending of the indigenous Indio and Spanish conquistador. Our faith stems from the apparition of La Virgen de Guadalupe to Juan Diego. Our beliefs have merged from the mixture of Catholicism and the herbal remedies of curanderas. Our knowledge derives from traditions and customs. Our stereotypes conjure the images of maid or homemaker. Our rights have been deprived from the legal system, ranging from property ownership to employment laws. Our homes are governed by men, our husbands and fathers. Our purpose in life is to bear children, rear them, and be good wives. Our voices had been silenced.

Now…we must stand and ROAR.

What do I believe in? All men and women are created equally. Is this, in reality, the case? NO. Studies have shown women receive lower wages than men in the same job position.

How can we escape the institutionalized racism and sexism?

We can begin by creating an awareness for the ignorant and agency for the disrespected. We can alter the system to be inclusive rather than treating outsiders as lepers. The structure of systems and dominations needs to be different and become encompass both men and women, Mexicana and Mexicano.

Now, the liberated woman, la Chicana, has entered the world of music, art, and writing. Yet, we struggle to break the barriers within scholarship, library science, and business companies.

We need to create a D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E.:

DISCUSS
INTERACT
ANALYZE
LEARN
OUTREACH
GATHER
UNDERSTAND
ENGAGE

The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of

CULTURE.
SOCIOECONOMICS.
LEGAL.
EDUCATION.


The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of INSTITUTIONS. : The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of GRASS ROOTS.
The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E of SIMILARITIES. : The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of DIFFERENCES.
The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of DOMINATION. : The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of PROGRESS.

The D.I.A.L.O.G.U.E. of CHANGE.

We need to understand the past that influences the present which shapes the future. We need to rise above the social domination and oppression that minorities, especially women, experience on a daily basis. We need to stop being SILENT.

Although women have gradually filtered into different systems, especially the education system, it has become necessary to actively seek the change we need.
Not much has changed since the Chicano Civil Rights Movement in the 60s-70s. Through their active participation in the movement, Chicana women began to understand the double oppression they were receiving, from the White man and their own men. Unite and fight for rights are what women sought and continue to struggle to achieve.

If we don’t continue to raise our voices against the oppressors, we too will perish from our silence, and inevitably contribute to our own self-destruction.

Jennifer Ellspermann