CREATING DISCURSIVE SPACE THROUGH A RHETORIC OF DIFFERENCE - CHICANA FEMINISTS CRAFT A HOMELAND

When Chicana feminists refuse to accept mainstream definitions of them selves and insist that they establish and affirm their own identity, t hey build a space through discourse. For Chicana feminists, this proce ss is accomplished in three stages. They begin by merely carving out a space within which they can find their own voice. After establishing this space, they begin to turn it into a home where connections to tho se within their families are made strong. Finally, recognizing their s till existing connections to various other groups, Chicana feminists c onstruct bridges or pathways connecting them with others. Such a proce ss allows for the construction of boundaries that establish the Chican a feminist homeland as distinct but are flexible enough to allow for i nteraction with other homelands.