Reply to comment

Class today, with a visit by Tamarinda and Ingrid, was striking to me in a number of ways. For the sake of continuing the conversation of the role of the "home" in identity, though, I would like to discuss the notion of Latina feminism as a type of feminism as a sub-set to a more generalized feminism.

Up until this part of the course (reading Persepolis/Latina feminism readings/student visits), I felt that I wrongly defined feminism as celebrating women and women only. Several people replied to my image of a woman-only feminism, saying that I did not effectively account for men (who could be activists) or the transgender community (who, in some instances, identify as women).

To assuage the concerns, I then acknowledged that feminism was a term and this term was fluid, changing with each "wave". I thought, perhaps, feminism could be more than just about women...that maybe feminism could include men and transgenders. However, Ingrid strongly claimed that feminism was notion that prided womanhood. This traditionalist claim was refreshing, in that it reinforced what I had originally asserted. I realized, then, that an identity of feminism is entirely dependent on the culture of one's home.

In class, I asked Tamarinda and Ingrid whether they could imagine a universal definition of feminism, one that would not barricade cultural differences of people. No. The two made very clear that their Latina culture was entirely dependent on their views of feminism, views that had little accordance with Western feminist, particularly new wave feminism. I was intially frustrated. I expressed the isolation I felt. Even if Ingrid and Tamarinda thought feminism was a pride of womanhood, how could it be that I was being excluded, regardless of my identity as a woman? (This reminded me of Anne's experience: "If you were in the community, you would understand.")

I searched online for a bit, searching for "cultural" feminism. I was suprised to find published texts on South Asian feminism--a feminism I was not aware my culture even had! I also saw an image of Islamic feminism. I found that feminism is cultural.

Before reading Moya and Moraga and listening to Tamarinda and Ingrid, I had never known there was a culturally-defined feminism. It resonated with me, the experiences of Latina culture, simply because some of the gender inforcements are mirrored in my culture, the South Asian culture. I understood, at that moment, how my culture, my "home" influenced my identity as well as my understanding of feminism. Like Ingrid, this course is my first explicit encounter with what I would pronounce "liberal" ideas of transgender and intersex. So, I was overwhelmed with the revoluntionary claims/arguments people were making about feminism being non-women oriented.

I believe there was a post in which I (publically) deliberated my definition of feminism. Feminism was choice. Looking back, I feel like that was not an accurate reflection of my culturally defined feminism. Instead, it was stirred up guilt from leaving out people, enhancing "otherness" with my woman-only feminism. I tried too hard, it seems, to incorporate everyone and used feminism an umbrella term that shelters everyone.

I really think, though, that it is impossible to create an idealistic framework that satisfies or includes everyone. I am not being pessimistic, here. Instead, I realize that people hail from different homes-- geographically and cultural ly-- and that these differences result in varying images of feminism that cannot intermingle because they do not intermingle.

I am sure people will disagree with me. It does not bother me anymore because I accept that it is impossible to please everyone.