Women of Color and Feminism: Seal Studies (Seal Studies (Unnumbered)) [Paperback]

Maythee Rojas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2009 | Series: Seal Studies (Unnumbered)

In this Seal Studies title, author and professor Maythee Rojas offers a look at the intricate crossroads of being a woman of color. Women of Color and Feminism tackles the question of how women of color experience feminism, and how race and socioeconomics can alter this experience. Rojas explores the feminist woman of color’s identity and how it relates to mainstream culture and feminism. Featuring profiles of historical women of color (including Hottentot Venus, Josefa Loaiza, and Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash), a discussion of the arts, and a vision for developing a feminist movement built on love and community healing, Rojas examines the intersectional nature of being a woman of color and a feminist. Covering a range of topics, including sexuality, gender politics, violence, stereotypes, and reproductive rights, Women of Color and Feminism offers a far-reaching view of this multilayered identity.

This powerful study strives to rewrite race and feminism, encouraging women to “take back the body” in a world of new activism. Women of Color and Feminism encourages a broad conversation about race, class, and gender and creates a discourse that brings together feminism and racial justice movements.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maythee Rojas is an associate professor in Women Studies at California State University, Long Beach. She received her Ph.D. in English from Arizona State University. Her research specializations include Chicana/o & Latina/o literature and Gender and Sexuality Studies. She is currently completing a manuscript on the uses of the erotic in Chicana literature, entitled Following the Flesh; Embodied Transgressions in Chicana Literature. Dr. Rojas's work has appeared in Frontiers, MELUS, Women's Studies Quarterly and reference books such as Notable American Women, Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture, and Latinas in the United States; A Historical Encyclopedia. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Ethnic Studies (NAES). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Seal Press (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158005272X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580052726
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Inspirational work of art April 20, 2010

By Dawid Nowak

Format:Paperback

Women of Color and Feminism is a wonderfully structured piece of literature. It fills in the gaps between theory and practice that many feminist groups/individuals deal with. Maythee Rojas provides various authentic examples of struggles that many women, especially women of color endured throughout their lifetime. These examples provide various explanations as to why such issues occurred in the past as well as why they are occurring today. In addition, Rojas sculpts a picture of how the world may look further down the road. Rojas addresses the many issues that women of color face such as male oppression and abuse, inadequate healthcare, insufficient education, and tainted perceptions. She also educates the reader on how many women overcame these struggles and how they continue to do so every day. As a male novice in feministic issues, this text has helped me gain a broad view of the issues surrounding women of color; it has enabled me to gain a great deal of knowledge in both theoretical and practical fields of these issues. In general, the text illustrates a clear picture of the continuous struggles of women of feminism, how their culture and experiences affect these struggles, and how they choose to overcome these various obstacles. I would strongly recommend this text to anyone who is looking to experience a theoretical and practical standpoint of feminism, the struggles that many women of color endure, and the ingenious ways they cope with these injustices.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Educating All Feminists April 19, 2010

By Alex Dorfman

Format:Paperback

In Women of Color and Feminism, Maythee Rojas offers us readers a glimpse into the struggles faced by women of color. Using examples from history and modern culture, we are able to get some insight into how the feminist movement is different for women of color because they have different problems that need to be addressed than traditional white feminists. This work really stresses how various strong women of color were able to articulate their unique stories to the public, who is usually otherwise uneducated about colored feminists' ideals. Some women articulate their experiences and acceptance of their identities as women of color through art, literature, educating young women of color in workshops, and cartoons. Such examples really help the readers recognize that there are many ways that they could get involved in spreading awareness about the rights of colored feminists. They also help those not yet in the know to realize that although some problems may affect the majority of feminists, there are other problems that need to be tackled that affect a large group of women that are left out: women of color. By including problems such as women being sterilized involuntarily, not being offered proper health care and colored communities accepting abuse as common, Rojas stresses that such problems need to be addressed and really helps the reader learn to see such situations from the perspective of others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Struggle April 26, 2010

By H. Fahim

Format:Paperback

Woman of Color and Feminism is nothing but a struggle, articulated in words and backed up with factual evidence. Rojas manages to voice institutional racism as well as the different ways through which women dealt with such issues. A detailed explanation of the history of colored women is given through several historical accounts. Rojas begins by clearly explaining the different needs of women as opposed to women of color. They are not the same, and for that reason they must redefine the word feminism. While everyone may consider sexism to be an issue that is completely different from racism, this book integrates these ideas into a "double consciousness." Every struggle that involves a woman of color is faced through a double consciousness as she carries the burden and stereotypes of her race and gender. Thus, the word color embodies much more than mere skin tone. Rojas also covers a range of issues that are not necessarily found within the scripts of most feminist literature. Such issues include reproductive rights of women who are sterilized without their own knowledge, as well as the rights of the incarcerated women who develop fatal diseases. The reader then realizes that feminism is not a course to be taught in a classroom or a theory that is measured out carefully in books. Feminism is a pursuit -a pursuit of happiness. Feminism for women of color is their ability to make a choice in the identity they wish to mold for themselves. Cleverly, Rojas describes the different ways through which women have spoken out against this injustice. Women are capable of creative measures such as art or dancing. Furthermore, they can escape the sexual and cultural pressures of their community by creating a new reality: one in which they can keep their customs and values as well as their desire for education, their curiosity towards new achievements, and their freedom in personality. In the end, love keeps these women strong and allows them to reach out and help others. One must love a woman of color in order to begin to understand both her complexity and her beauty.