Disrupting the Dichotomy: “Yo Soy Chicana /o?” in the New Latina /o South

Abstract

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Notes 1 A Chicana identity is grounded in the belief that we are neither Mexican nor American, but rather exist in a third space. Furthermore, Chicanas/os recognize the Southwest, the land seized by the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo as the Chicana/o homeland Aztlán. For a history of Chicana/o presence in the United States please see F. Arturo Rosales Chicano!: The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement. 2 Aztlán, the symbolic and real homeland of Chicanas/os the American Southwest, includes those states and lands seized by the United States government after the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. 3 Malintzin Tenépal is most often recognized as Hernan Cortés’ translator and love during his conquest of Mexico. Despite Chicana feminist revisions of this narrative, she is still often referred to as La Malinche, a traitor. 4 Usually translated as “environment” or “setting.” 5 My use of the term authenticity is self-reflexive and aware of its social constructedness as well as its use as mythology. In this project authenticity represents the desired difference that continues to remain as a space of lack. Thus, the search or desire for authenticity becomes a performative process that is in itself a marker of difference. 6 In this transcription I use italics to mark points of emphasis in his words and capitalization to mark changes in volume and tone. 7 Derogatory term used by Mexicans to label assimilated Mexican Americans or Chicanas/os. 8 An annual festival celebrating the Latina/o communities in North Carolina. 9 Witch, or in his case, warlock. 10 A common rhetorical strategy employed by Latina/o activists.