The Development of Chicana Feminist Discourse, 1970–1980

This chapter describes the development of Chicana feminism and compares it with Asian American and Black feminism, which faced similar problems. Among the major ideological questions facing all three groups of feminists were the relationship between feminism and the ideology of cultural nationalism or racial pride, feminism and feminist baiting within the larger movements, and the relationship between their feminist movements and the white feminist movement. Throughout the seventies, Chicana feminists viewed the struggle against sexism within the Chicano movement and the struggle against racism in the larger society as integral parts of Chicana feminism. In addition, Chicana feminists criticized white feminists who believed that a general women&s;s movement would be able to overcome racial differences among women. Without the incorporation of an analysis of racial oppression to explain the experiences of Chicanas as well as of other women of color, Chicana feminists believed that a coalition with white feminists would be highly unlikely.