brainstorm 10 - emilia garcia-bompadre

As we've seen in many of the readings and documentaries we've watched, I think that feministas in the borderlands organize community by creating a safe space for those who need it. For example, in ovarian psycos, the women claim a space for themselves that is not "traditionally" for them, and by doing so create a space of empowerment and support with each other. These shared spaces, although they may not be permanent, create a dialogue and a vision for the future. By making these spaces and calling attention to them as movements, they can become normalized and widespread, instead of small and separate ones. The spaces are for people who are in need of a community and place to share, a minority of the population, an oppressed group. It allows for conversations so happen and connections to be made, all within a safe place. This helps create a structure for animating affinities within difference as well. The women participating in ovarian psycos have not all had the same experiences, but they come together and use their different backgrounds and strengths to animate that space with their communal power. At one point in the documentary, Xela comments how much stronger she feels when riding with a group of women than alone. 

Feministas in the borderlands utilize practices of resistance we've seen a lot. chicanafeminism stems from not having a voice in many large activist groups: white feminist groups often ignored racial discrminiation that strongly affected Chicanx people, while other Chicano and Mexican movements often didn't create a space of feminism. As such, chicanafeminism is an act of resilience in and of itself. By focusing on creating spaces of support for Chicanas, and embracing femininity in all forms, Chicanafeminism expands the definition of what activism can be. It can be in the form of making music, creating home altares, or biking with a group of women. I think this is particularly powerful because in this way borderlands feministas are able to make their voice heard everywhere, and without bounds.