Response to Alicia Gaspar de Alba

Out of the Hose of the Halo, and the Whores Mask: The Mirror if Malinchismo

In the Chicano perspective, real women only live to cater to their husbands and families. In result, the depiction of Chicana women is one-sided. Of course, being a mother is an important part of the lives of many women, but there is more to life than being a mother.  However, these revolutionary women are ostracized by men, calling the derogatory terms such as vendidas or malinches. In result, chicanas must work harder in order to be seen as equal to their male counterparts. Unfortunately, their attempts to be equal backfire, because their feminist views are apparently "anti-chicano". I feel like whatever these women do, they cannot please the patriarchal views of these misogynistic men. There is more to the feminine gender than motherhood, virginity, and prostitution, and it is unfair to women to be categorized in these slim categories. In conclusion, why cannot men accept the fact that both genders are equal, and what does Gaspar de Alba suggest women can do to be accepted at equals in both the art world and in reality.


There is No Place like Aztlán

I understand that Aztlán is the conceptual homeland of Chicanas/os because it is thought to be the
Aztecs' originating land; therefore, technically chicanas/os ancestors once did originate from there. But, why must Aztlán be the only sole symbol of home for chicanas/os? Home is a relative term and other things can fulfill the desire to be at home. I personally have never been to my originating land. I do hope to once visit, but I do not consider a foreign country "home". Personally, home is the place one feels safe or happy and brings back nostalgic feelings, such as the town one grew up in or even between the arms of a loved one.