Story of immigrant Latina, observations illustrating racialization Bernal Essay: Story of immigrant Latina, observations illustrating racialization

Racialization…. Definition: the social and political process of race making. Social significance is attached to certain features based on a set of assumptions and stereotypes about a certain race---imposes a racial “character” KEY POINT: USED AS A BASIS FOR ASSIGNING RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, POWER, PRESTIGE, OTHER SOCIAL REWARDS

Historical Example of Racialization… California Constitution (1849) Followed shortly after the Mexican American War when Northern Mexico taken from Mexican control At the California Constitutional Convention, Who was granted the right to vote? Who was deemed unfit, who was the “other” left out of he California Constitution?

California Constitution (1849) Article II. Right of Suffrage. Sec. 1. Every white male citizen of the United States, and every white male citizen of Mexico, who shall have elected to become a citizen of the United States, under the treaty of peace exchanged and ratified at Queretaro, on the 30th day of May, 1848 of the age of twenty–one years, who shall have been a resident of the State six months next preceding the election, and the county or district in which he claims his vote thirty days, shall be entitled to vote at all elections which are now or hereafter may authorized by law: Provided, nothing herein contained, shall be construed to prevent the Legislature, by a two–thirds concurrent vote, from admitting to the right of suffrage, Indians or the descendants of Indians, in such special cases as such proportion of the legislative body may deem just and proper.

“Knowledge” is powerful! Ideas are powerful! It can justify oppressive/treatment of “the other” (those without power & privilege) It can challenge oppressive treatment It can transform ways of thinking and justify resistance, revolution, social change

Prevailing Ideas about Women U.S. 1820-1880 (circa) The ideal woman (middle class & white) was pious, pure & submissive Biological Differences (Natural, Innate) perceived as defining true manhood and womanhood Women: delicate, nurturing, passive, delicate Men: aggressive, independent, tough, rational

Scientific Sexism Justified Unequal Treatment of Women (1800s) Women different from men mentally & physically: Smaller in size/ smaller brain – less intelligent Less stamina (they fainted) Menstruation incapacitated them each month & could bring on temporary insanity Most women’s ailments blamed on her reproductive system—men had headaches, women had “female complaints”

Ideas About Sexuality & Roles for Women and Men (1800s) Human body had limited energy Sexual feelings strong in men/weak or absent in women Women had less energy than men and energy to reproduce children and the future generation meant women should avoid straining the brain (thus, no higher education, stay home and raise children) Men should be the breadwinners and work (avoid excessive sexual activity in order to work)

Ideas Challenged! Sojourner Truth, “Aint I A Woman!” Challenged Sexism and Ideas that Women were delicate, weak, less intelligent Challenged Racism and the idea that African American Women were not women Challenged absurd contradictions in sexist & racist ideas using her “lived experiences”

What is your “positionality?” How does your positionality affect how you experience the world (what happens to you) How you understand the world (how you understand what happens to you) Where do you stand in respect to power relations in the U.S.? What “privileges”* do you enjoy? *a set of advantages resulting from being a member of a particular group—male, white, middle/upper class, heterosexual, two parent family, other? What disadvantages have you faced as a result of being a member of a particular group—female, ethnic/racial minority, working class, LGBTIQ, single parent family, other?