Rasquachismo/Domesticana

     In this week's reading in Chicano and Chicana Art: A Critical Anthology, I read about the ideologies of rasquachismo and domesticana. The first reading assignment discusses rasquachismo while the second reading discusses domesticana. After reading about both these ideologies that are derived from the Chicano culture, it is clear that these ideologies share similarities but also are very different.

     Rasquachismo does not belong under the category of an idea or a style but it is essentially an attitude or taste. This attitude is comprised of an underdog type of view which combines inventiveness with a survivalist attitude. Before reading about rasquachismo, I had no clue this was an actual concept or attitude. I found myself resonating with the term because as a Mexcian American who comes from a low-income neighborhood, I've always have felt like the odds have been stacked up against me to succeed. So, throughout my whole life, I have worked towards my academic and life goals with a chip on my shoulder. Knowing that I was an underdog, and still am an underdog motivates me that much more to achieve my future goals.

     Now when looking at domesticana, it is similar to its male counterpart rasquachismo in terms that they both have stemmed out of resistance to majority culture and affirmation of cultural values. But domesticana is different than rasquachismo because it also stems from the defiance of restrictive gender identity within the Chicano culture which has caused this ideology to grow rapidly among chicanas. It is essentially a spirit within chicanas to seek emancipation from patriarchal/chicano culture oppression through advanced education which will lead to new experiences and opportunities for chicanas. Although these two terms share similarities and differences, both of these attitudes need to be embodied by every chicano/chicana in order to achieve racial, social, economic, and gender equality in society.