2018LincolnALexandra

In Debra Blake’s book, Chicana Sexuality and Gender she depicts four female cultural symbols. What is important about these figures is their impact on Chicana/Mexican women’s sexuality and roles within society. The study included Chicana/ Mexican women retelling historical narratives to give voice to the females. Through writing, art, speech, and other forms of expression, the women tell the perspective with the females experience at the forefront. Blake compared the refiguring of professional Chicanas with that of working and middle class women’s stories. 

The altered image provides self empowerment and agency for Chicana women. On page 104 Blake writes, “…La Virgen functions as a female ‘metaphor for God in popular religions form’”. Vicki Rivera Reyes compared La Virgen with God. This portrays the importance significance, and power women place on La Virgen. In some religions it is a sin to compare a mortal to the almighty, but Blake’s study proves the magnitude of respect and idolizing that women have for the female historical figures. In order to preserve Mexican culture, history, and identity, the narratives, art, and interviews Blake completed enable Chicana women to reclaim their identity.