Women and Inequality in a Changing World: Exploring New Paradigms for Peace Read Along
In the next chapter, "Chicanas and Latinas in the Academic Borderlands: Resistance, Empowerment, and Agency," Denise Segura provides an insightful analysis of the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the United States. Through her personal experiences and academic research, Segura articulates the challenges faced by Chicanas and Latinas, offering reflections on empowerment, community engagement, and the transformative potential of cultural consciousness.
https://www.routledge.com/Women-and-Inequality-in-a-Changing-World-Exploring-New-Paradigms-for-Peace/Mahmoudi-Parpart-Seaman/p/book/9781032250649
"Activism means actively reframing and contesting ideological and material forms of oppression to focus on social change that heals the mind, spirit, and the conditions under which we all live." Segura emphasizes a holistic approach needed to create meaningful social change that not only addresses external conditions but also promotes well-being.
The borderlands theory, by Gloria Anzaldúa, represents spaces where different cultures and identities intersect. Segura argues that these borderlands are essential for understanding the experiences of Chicanas, Latinas, and other marginalized communities and that they offer unique opportunities for resistance and empowerment.
This serves as a powerful tool for critiquing conventional explanations for social inequality and emphasizing the importance of diverse identities and perspectives. The concept of community cultural wealth and the pursuit of alternative sites for empowerment within academic "borderlands" are also central themes, highlighting the agency of marginalized communities in reshaping their narratives.
SISTERS and ENLACE, two community-based programs, are examples of a borderlands approach in action. These initiatives exemplify a borderlands community praxis, disrupting power hierarchies and valuing indigenous knowledge.
"Chicanas and Latinas in the Academic Borderlands" is a reminder of the power within marginalized communities and the transformative potential of bridging theory with real-world activism.
About the Author:
Eden is a Graduate Assistant with the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. She is attending the University of Maryland and pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Care Management. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2023 with a B.S. in Public Health Science. Her interests are in health disparities and policy.
