Critical Latin American Feminisms: Community-Based, Experience-Based, and Gender-Unraveling

Abstract

Objective/Context: In the following pages, I describe three political feminist projects from Latin America, which we can characterize as critical, given that these projects endorse positions historically attributed to the political left. Methodology: Since I am addressing specific feminist experiences that are not eminently theoretical, I use the few theorizations produced by the movements mentioned above and interviews and descriptions of the activism of these feminist political projects. I apply aspects of a cultural studies perspective with a non-hegemonic methodology, deploying the creativity that characterizes the article’s subjects, and some elements of Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. Conclusions: I show that all three of these political proposals—although there are differences among them—have common ground and points of convergence that are important for thinking differently about critical Latin American feminisms. Specifically, I demonstrate that some of them share three characteristics: first, they are not born out of or made in academia; second, they are/live in the community; and third, they seek to unravel gender. Originality: This article presents an overview of these feminisms that have been of interest to feminists while providing academic readers with insight into social movements and their language. It could serve as a tool to discuss the relevance of these feminisms and expand the ongoing discussion in Latin America.

Keywords

• critical feminism
• community
• experience
• gender
• latin america