Section 1, Definitions, Martinez

"La Chicana", Elizabeth Martinez
La Chicana is under the thumb of three forms of oppression, racism, imperialism and sexism. Her life pattern follows that of many of her third world sisters in the US, stunted education, work in the fields, multiple pregnancies and economic pressures forcing the man to leave the family. Tensions between the man and the woman increase when she is able to find work and he is not, or else the family does not qualify for assistance with a man in the home. Despite her difficult life she is expected to maintain prejudices imposed by sexism. She is viewed as a sexual object, and, depending on her class, her femininity is turned into consumerism.
There is a variety of positions held by Chicanas concerning their roles:

• they should not challenge the status quo
• they can make important contributions without raising a fuss
• they must fight sexism but in isolated positions
• they should struggle against sexism but in the context of the people's struggle as a whole

Women will not win their liberation struggle unless they work with men. The sexist attitude of "machismo" is keeping men down just as effectively, allowing for manipulation by the oppressor. The Chicana doesn't identify with women's lib in the US, because of its domination by the middle class and its rejection of the family structure. Traditionally, the Chicana is a worker and a fighter, with the family being a source of unity. A return to these traditional vales in La Raza women would inspire a revolutionary nationalism. Sexism is just one head to a three headed beast.