Reflection on "Chicanos Speak Out"

I found the reading for October 1st, which focused on the Chicano/a liberation movement, to be quite astonishing. Starting off with the Plan de Aztlan, I acquired a great understanding of the Chicano motives. It seems like the Chicanos strived for equality for all of their people while making sure that they were not discriminating against other races. They simply wanted the land, resources, and, more importantly, the freedom that the Anglo-society took away from them. After reading this document, I felt that the Chicanos, as a whole, had fair intentions towards creating these different liberation movements. However, "Chicanas Speak Out," seems to provide a different side to the Chicano motives. This article seems to show that the liberation movements seem to single out the Chicanas. 

One of the main points I was astonished by was the fact that after Chicanas began to articulate that they wanted control over their own bodies, the Chicano men accused them of being sexist and "anti-man." Chicanos went even further and tried to sway the woman to stop the movements by saying feminist movements were an "Anglo" thing to do. The idea that women were being discriminated against in a liberation movement, which called for overall equality, was simply appalling. How could an individual who is calling for peace, discriminate against one of their own at the same time? The Chicanos were being hypocrites of their own beliefs. They were expecting to gain their land and freedom back, but still maintain the same control over women.

I hold a great amount of respect for the Chicana movement. Those women had amazing strength to be able to stand up to the racial standard that has been around for so many years. I do not understand how women are placed under this double standard. Sexism is already a major societal issue, in general, but add racism and you see that the Chicanas were forced to face some terrible discrimination. As women begin to recognize their strength, however, I feel that society (American, Chicano, etc) will only grow as everyone's views begin to be elucidated. The Chicana movement only had to hold several workshops for their voice to heard. This movement shows how it does not take much for one to stand up for what they believe in. All that stands between a woman and her voice being heard is personal fear. Once they are able to overcome this fear, however, they will soon begin to be successful.