Personal Narrative-A Feminist Analysis
"I don't understand how you call yourself a feminist despite being raised by a Hispanic mother. Is Latina feminism even a thing?" my aunt asked. I understood where she was coming from because as a Hispanic woman, my mother subdued and was determined to pass on the traditional roles of women to her daughters.
During my childhood, I was expected to fulfill “womanly” duties and responsibilities. Many of those duties were domestic: I had to serve both of my brothers food every day --myself last. Many times I internally questioned why I had to do it, but I feared my mother’s response.
Later on, in my high school life, I was exposed to ideas from feminists like Chimamanda Adichie and Emma Watson. These women led me to question the traditional views on the duties of women. Seeing how outspoken and fearless they were, I bundled up the courage to ask my mother why I had to serve my siblings their food. Offended, she asked me if I thought domestic duties or traditions diminished my worth. She then proceeded to remind me how I am …show more content…
Because of the tension that was built between my newfound beliefs and my traditional upbringing, I felt I was straddling two worlds: one was occasionally oppressive yet full of time-tested traditions, and the other allowed me to express myself and my beliefs about gender inequality.
As I thought about the many disagreements I had with my mother, I realized that I did not have to embrace every aspect of my Latin culture to be a proud Latina. One of the most memorable days of my life was my quinceañera, a day that every Hispanic girl anticipates. During this event, my father changed my tennis shoes into high heels, an action meant to confirm my womanhood. Although I did embrace this tradition, I comprehended that I did not need a change in shoes to transform me into a woman, nor did I need a whole ceremony to be considered a
During my childhood, I was expected to fulfill “womanly” duties and responsibilities. Many of those duties were domestic: I had to serve both of my brothers food every day --myself last. Many times I internally questioned why I had to do it, but I feared my mother’s response.
Later on, in my high school life, I was exposed to ideas from feminists like Chimamanda Adichie and Emma Watson. These women led me to question the traditional views on the duties of women. Seeing how outspoken and fearless they were, I bundled up the courage to ask my mother why I had to serve my siblings their food. Offended, she asked me if I thought domestic duties or traditions diminished my worth. She then proceeded to remind me how I am …show more content…
Because of the tension that was built between my newfound beliefs and my traditional upbringing, I felt I was straddling two worlds: one was occasionally oppressive yet full of time-tested traditions, and the other allowed me to express myself and my beliefs about gender inequality.
As I thought about the many disagreements I had with my mother, I realized that I did not have to embrace every aspect of my Latin culture to be a proud Latina. One of the most memorable days of my life was my quinceañera, a day that every Hispanic girl anticipates. During this event, my father changed my tennis shoes into high heels, an action meant to confirm my womanhood. Although I did embrace this tradition, I comprehended that I did not need a change in shoes to transform me into a woman, nor did I need a whole ceremony to be considered a