Narratives of Mexican American Women - Ch. 3 Palimpsests of Identity

Chapter 3 of Garcia’s book compares the immigrants’ daughters’ layers of identities to the concept of palimpsests. A palimpsest is something reused or realtered with earlier traces from before still visible (p. 26). These 2nd generation Chicanas could be more than just Mexican or American. They could be Jewish Mexican, or maybe not just a daughter, but a student, or soon to be working professional. The women felt that growing up both Mexican and American could be difficult at times, as they experienced discrimination from both sides. These women were learning how to navigate a society of dual cultures.

Another interesting view point about colorism was discussed with the respondents. They felt that American culture glamorizes light features. There were common sentiments of knowing they should like how they look, but found it difficult, when they thought that Chicano men were usually attracted to women with blonde hair and light eyes. This is a struggle we still see these today, as girls these days are beginning to wear makeup, dress sexy and get plastic surgery at younger and younger ages. American standards can cause body dysmorphia, and place emphasis on unrealizable body goals. It was interesting reading the respondents calling out magazines like Latina. The respondents were intelligent enough to realize that even the women featured in Latina magazine still had the body proportions of American standards of beauty, also featuring lighter colored models, over someone with a more indigenous look.

These women were having to navigate society as belonging to both American and Mexican culture. This was common to the struggles their parents faced but in a different context. I think for the respondents, that seeing women of color in successful positions of career, helped motivate and build up their self-esteem to realize that yes, they can. Si se puede!