CS 313- La Chicana Patricia A. Pérez, Ph.D.

CHICANAS AND THE BORDER(LANDS)- THEORIZING IN LAS FRONTERAS

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Congress

passed NAFTA in Nov. 1993 Implemented since January 1st, 1994

Eliminated tariffs between U.S., Mexico and Canada Positive effects of NAFTA: Poverty levels down in

Mexico, business owners/elites profit, trade increased dramatically, & maquiladora (prominent trade) sector rose15.5%

Negative effects of NAFTA: U.S. workers lost jobs, Mexican farmers lost money, contributed to rising levels of inequality in U.S. and Mexico

On the Edge: Free Trade

Anzaldúa- U.S.-Mexican Border “Borders are set up to define the places

that are safe and unsafe, to distinguish us from them. A border is a dividing line, a narrow strip along a steep edge. A borderland is a vague and undetermined place created by the emotional residue of an unnatural boundary. It is in a constant state of transition. The prohibited and forbidden are it inhabitants” (Anzaldúa, 1999, p. 25).

Maquiladora Murders in Juárez Difficult to define how many women

actually missing and assaulted/murdered Varying problematic definitions of what

constitutes “violación” Under-reporting of crimes

Several theories regarding who is responsible Drug cartels, gangs, satanic cults, serial

killers, etc. On the Edge: Torture (3 minute video)

Why are the women of Juárez being murdered? Sex slaves, organ harvesting, lead double-lives,

dress provocatively, resentment by men Why has it been difficult to end the

murders? Police/authority corruption Incompetence, personnel turnover No profiles/no access to police files/poor

evidence collected Border region characteristics (see next slide)

Border Characteristics: Constant influx of migrants Drug cartels operate in area Job opportunities because of proximity

Examples of femicide: Battery, torture, prostitution, rape, sexual

assault, child abuse, female infanticide, genital mutilation, domestic violence, etc.

Anzaldúa- U.S.-Mexican Border “Los atravesados live here: the squint-eyed,

the perverse, the queer, the troublesome, the mongrel, the mulato, the half-breed, the half dead; in short, those who cross over, pass over, or go through the confines of the “normal.” Gringos in the U.S. Southwest consider the inhabitants of the borderlands transgressors, aliens- whether they possess documents or not, whether they’re Chicanos, Indians or Blacks. Do not enter, trespassers will be raped, maimed, strangled, gassed, shot” (Anzaldúa, 1999, p. 25).

Theoretical Contributions

Sexual Femicide Definition of femicide- systemic killing of women;

misogynist killing of women by men Definition of misogynist- a person who dislikes

and/or mistreats women How to identify femicide:

Sexual assault/violent acts Motives Imbalance of power Political, social and economic context Structural changes in society Community tolerance to acts/violence (Russell, 1976)

Theoretical Contributions (cont.) Patriarchal system- sex crimes are a

logical consequence (Caputi, 1987) “Sexual murder is the ultimate expression

of sexuality as a form of power” (p. 39). Eroticization of violence- masculinity

demonstrated as a form of supremacy over others- victimizer always men (Cameron & Frazer, 1987)

Social class system- societies under stress; religious systems and ideologies contribute to violence (McWilliams, 1998)

Theoretical Contributions (cont.) Foucault- “the body is a political field,

pulled taut between competing powers that act and leave their mark on it, restrict it, and subject it to torture, punishment, and rituals” (Fragoso, 2003, p. 162) Bodies with less power are subjected to

bodies with more power Little emphasis on murders because women are

disposable Women blamed for atrocities- “They asked for it.” Those victimized are most oppressed““Sexuality itself is the object of punishmentSexuality itself is the object of punishment

(p. 163).

Patriarchy- recap

Greek- “father rule” Control by men, rooted in subjugation of

women Significant roots in Christianity Role of patriarchy- 3Ps:

Protect- property Provide- familial, monetary Privilege- male, heterosexual

Machismo vs. Marianismo- recap Rooted in patriarchy Standard by which

men rate their masculinity Virility, strength &

status Latin American

definitions: Provider Honorable

Superiority of feminine over masculine

Veneration of women b/c they give life

Rooted in Catholic faith- worship of Virgin Mary as iconic symbol of what women should be

Results in whore/saint dichotomy

Is this topic relevant to us?

What is the role of marianismo in femicide?

What is our role in femicide?