La Chicana and the Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender

by Irene I. Blea

In this study, the author describes the social situation of La Chicana, a minority female whose life is influenced by racism and sexism. She analyzes contemporary scholarship on race, class, and gender, scrutinizing the use of language and labels to examine how La Chicana is affected by these factors. The wide-ranging study explores the history of Chicanas and the meaning of the term "Chicana," and considers her socialization process, the consequences of deviating from gender roles, and the evolution of Hispanic women onto the national scene in politics, health, economics, education, religion, and criminal justice.