Logo
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Herstory
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Policy
    • Community Engagement
      • Latinas4RJ Chapter Leaders
    • Research
    • Justice for Young Families
    • Viva
    • Speaking Story
    • Collaborations
  • Resources
    • Policy Briefs
    • Policy Advocacy Tools
    • Fact Sheets
    • Research Reports
    • J4YF Materials
    • Sex Ed Action Kit
    • COVID-19 Resources
  • Get Involved
    • News & Events
    • Volunteer
    • Jobs
    • Join L4RJ Chapter Leaders
    • Donate
  • Media
    • Press Releases
    • CLRJ in the News
    • YouTube Channel
  • Blog
  • Donate

  • Letters/Poems
  • Videos
  • Audio
Posted In: Economic Justice and RJ, Immigration, Motherhood

Story (english)

Woman. Civil war. Undocumented immigrant. Single parent. Working-class. These terms describe my mother, a young woman who fled a violent civil war that was perpetuated by the U.S., and who upon arriving in the U.S., was denied the protections and support of refugee status. She was forced into an undocumented status, obliging her to find any means for survival in a foreign country. The path to survival in Los Angeles was through underpaid and arduous factory work that was performed under a looming fear of potential INS raids, which were so common in the 1980s.

As a young woman she also wanted to live life by doing the things young women are supposed do: meet a man, fall in love, and eventually have a family. Nevertheless, the ideals of family-and-motherhood escaped when she was left behind to fend for herself and to raise a newborn daughter on her own. Becoming a single parent was not only difficult for emotional and economic reasons, it also came with cultural sanctions as she had become one of “those” women who have children out of wedlock and are unwanted by their children’s father. I cannot imagine the emotional and psychological wounds these experiences caused my mother. A woman, who due to her position and the circumstances that surrounded her, was forced to wake up each day with the sole purpose of working and providing for herself and child. She did not have the time or resources to seek the emotional support she needed… she was back to survival mode, similar to when she escaped the violence of her country, and has continued to live her life in the U.S. in this way for over thirty-two years.

It took my mother over 14 years to become “independent.” We spent most of my childhood living with others, often being reminded that the place where we lived was not our home. Together we endured many necessities, humiliations, and violations of our character and bodies. But it was the combination of structural limitations and cultural norms that forced us to internalize the pain and the suffering, and to ignore the transgressions. Indeed, having to go on as if these experiences were not occurring led to the accumulation of anger, resentment, and disappointment… Further, these experiences have also had lasting effects on how we develop our own relationships. In the case of my mother, deciding to forgo the possibility of a future marriage due to the trauma caused by the experiences she had with her daughter’s father. And in my case, a distrust and suspicion of men, and conflicting emotions towards intimacy that are related to cultural perceptions of how a Latina woman should relate to sex, with the traumas of unwanted sexual contact and exposure at a very young age.

Now as a young adult, I seek to liberate myself from these traumas as I also try to understand my mother’s decisions and what at times I saw as inaction. I seek to liberate myself from the ideas that have been so effectively ingrained into my subconscious of what it means to be a woman and what my role should be in society. I seek to be liberated from the emotional wounds that at times still feel so fresh, while at other times I manage to numb away. I want to be free… but sometimes I don’t know how to get there. If only my background would have been different… If only I would have had the privileges afforded by legal status, class, traditional family structure, male gender, and the protection of a father… but if I would have had these “privileges,” I wouldn’t be who I am today.

 

 

- Anonymous
  • S
  • s

Categories

  • Bodily Autonomy (13)
  • Abortion (10)
  • Immigration (9)
  • Motherhood (8)
  • Access to Reproductive Health Services (7)
  • Sexual Assault (7)
  • Indigenous Spirituality and RJ (7)
  • Mental Health and RJ (7)
  • Racial/Ethnic Identity and RJ (5)
  • Violence Against Women (4)
  • Decolonization and RJ (4)
  • Economic Justice and RJ (4)
  • Sexual Autonomy (3)
  • Environmental Racism and RJ (3)
  • Religion and RJ (2)
  • LGBTQ (2)
  • Miscarriage (2)
  • Sexual Health Education (2)
  • Forced Sterilizations (2)
  • Culturally Competent Healthcare (1)
  • Prison Industrial Complex (1)
  • Young Parents (1)
  • Black Lives Matter and RJ (1)
  • Infertility (1)

Quicklinks

  • Our Work
  • News & Events
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Press Releases
  • Blog

Like us on facebook

Facebook page plugin loading...

Latest tweets

Tweets by Latinas4RJ

Instagram

[ESPAÑOL ABAJO] 🚨🚨CLRJ’s Union de Vecina [ESPAÑOL ABAJO]

🚨🚨CLRJ’s Union de Vecinas de Bell Gardens demand action from our City Council Now!

Did you know that 78% of the residents of the City of Bell Gardens are renters? If you are a resident of Bell Gardens sign this petition today in support of a RENT CONTROL AND JUST CAUSE law and other tenant protections that protect us all: https://bit.ly/RentControl4BG
[LINK IN BIO]

ACCESS TO SAFE, STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING is REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE!

🚨🚨 La Unión de Vecinas de Bell Gardens de CLRJ exige acción del Consejo Municipal de Bell Gardens ¡Ya! 

¿Sabías que el 78% de los residentes de la ciudad de Bell Gardens son inquilinos? Si usted es residente de Bell Gardens, firme la petición en apoyo a una ley de CONTROL DE RENTA Y CAUSAS JUSTAS DE DESALOJO y otras protecciones para inquilinos que nos proteja a todos: https://bit.ly/RentControl4BG
[ENLACE EN NUESTRO PERFIL]

¡EL ACCESO A UNA VIVIENDA SEGURA, ESTABLE Y ASEQUIBLE ES JUSTICIA REPRODUCTIVA!

#DerechoAVivienda #ControlDeRentaBG
#HousingIsReproJustice #RentControl4BG
Today and everyday stand with and protect our tran Today and everyday stand with and protect our trans familia. Living free of violence, persecution, in dignity, and receiving the healthcare we need including gender affirming healthcare is reproductive justice!

Support sister orgs @translatinacoalition, @songpowerc4 @tqpueblo, @justicelanow, @familiatqlm, @urge_org 🌸🦋🌸🦋🌸🦋

#ThisIsRJ #ReproJustice

 Repost from @alex.albadree
•
Today is #TransDayOfVisibility. With the record number of attacks on trans rights across the country, it is important we stand in solidarity with the trans & nonbinary community. LOUDLY & PROUDLY. Today & always.
The urgency for rent control and a just cause law The urgency for rent control and a just cause law in the city of Bell Gardens has existed for many years. As a community of “essential workers”, COVID-19 has left many families with little to no income to pay for their rent, mortgage, and other living expenses. 78% of Bell Gardens residents are renters. 62% live on low incomes. Without more protections, thousands of families are vulnerable to forced displacement and homelessness.

Stand in solidarity and support the fight for safe and affordable housing! If you are a resident of Bell Gardens sign this petition today in support of a RENT CONTROL AND JUST CAUSE law and tenant protections that protect us all: https://bit.ly/RentControl4BG
#HousingIsReproJustice #RentControl4BG

[Image Description: Bold black text on a mauve background says, “Access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing is Reproductive Justice. http://bit.ly/RentControl4BG” The mauve background includes light pink text that says, “HOUSING IS REPRO JUSTICE” and “HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT”]
Great news! Yesterday our co-sponsored bill #AB367 Great news! Yesterday our co-sponsored bill #AB367 passed it's first hurdle by clearing the Assembly Education Committee!  It’s time to end period poverty and pass the #MenstrualEquityForAllAct ! AB367 (Garcia) will tackle period poverty by increasing access to period products across the state. It is time to end the stigma that menstruators experience with lack of access to period products. 
Sign the petition and stay help fight period poverty!

🩸bit.ly/ab367petition (link in bio)🩸

[ID: a white textured background with orange text that says, “MENSTRUAL HEALTH IS A RIGHT NOT A PRIVILEGE!” and “Let’s end period poverty by making menstrual products free in CA!” Smaller turquoise text reads, “PASS AB 367” and “Tell your representatives to pass the #MenstrualEquityForAllAct bit.ly/AB367Petition” The #FreeThePeriod logo and website: freetheperiodca.org are in the bottom right corner.]
Join the Union de Vecinas de Bell Gardens for a Co Join the Union de Vecinas de Bell Gardens for a Community Car Caravan 🚘 to show our city officials that we want and NEED a strong Rent Control and Just Cause Law and other Tenant Protections. EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE IN A SAFE, STABLE, AND AFFORDABLE HOME! 🏠

Location: Ford Park, 7900 Scout Ave
Date: Saturday, March 27th
Time: 1-3 pm PST

COMMUNITY CARE: please wear a double mask if possible. We will be holding a rally before and after the caravan so we ask that you please roll down your windows to hear but please stay in your vehicle.

To learn more about our campaign sign UDVBG’s petition: bit.ly/RentControl4BG

#HousingIsRJ #RentControl4BG

[ID: large, bright yellow text on a dark purple rectangle reads, “Car Caravan for Rent Control & Tenant Protections.” Below is an image of a dark purple car, with people holding signs from the car windows. The background is a solid lavender. On three purple signs that the imaginary protestors are holding, black text reads: “When: Saturday, March 27th, 1 PM to 3 PM / Contact For more information contact Michelle at michelle@clrj.org or 323-230-3077 / RSVP: bit.ly/CarCaravan4RentControl]
Únase a la Unión de Vecinas de Bell Gardens y @H Únase a la Unión de Vecinas de Bell Gardens y @HousingRightsCenter para un taller informativo virtual donde hablaran sobre las intersecciones entre la violencia de género y acoso sexual en la vivienda. Durante COVID-19, ha habido varios cambios en las leyes de vivienda que es muy importante que el público conozca, especialmente para las personas que han lidiado con violencia doméstica o acoso sexual en su situación de vivienda. Los temas incluyen leyes justas estatales y federales de viviendas que se centran en la protección de las víctimas de acoso sexual y violencia doméstica; protecciones para inquilinos durante COVID-19 estatales y locales; y servicios del Centro de Derechos a la Vivienda. Habrá interpretación en vivo al español. 

Fecha y hora: 19 de marzo de 2021 a las 12 p.m. 

Para obtener más información sobre nuestra campaña, firme la petición de UDVBG: bit.ly/RentControl4BG 📃

🏘 #DerechoAVivienda #ControlDeRentaBG 🏘

[Identificación: En una imagen que muestra hileras de casas rosadas, el texto rosa intenso en la esquina izquierda dice: "Taller de derechos de vivienda por acoso sexual". Debajo de un pequeño texto gris se lee: “Viernes 19 de marzo a las 12 PM / RSVP bit.my/HousingRightsWorkshop. En un rectángulo sólido de color púrpura oscuro, en letra pequeña blanca, el texto dice: "Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Crystal Letona cletona@housingrightscenter.org" en la parte inferior del gráfico están los logotipos coloridos de CLRJ y Unión de Vecinas de Bell Gardens.]
We are devastated, angry, and saddened by yesterda We are devastated, angry, and saddened by yesterday’s events in Atlanta. We stand with our AAPI community in denouncing and calling for an end to the overwhelming hate and violence directed at them across the country.

We must do better at taking care of each other and bringing an end to white supremacy’s chokehold. Our collective freedom and survival rests on our ability to put an end to white supremacy once and for all.

#StopAsianHate #EndWhiteSupremacy #ThisIsRJ #reprojusticerequiresaccess #GraceLeeBoggs

[ID: A solid white background with bold, light brown text that says, “ ‘The only way to survive is by taking care of one another’ - Grace Lee Boggs #StopAsianHate #ThisIsRJ”]
🚨Bell Gardens Community Action Demonstration🚨

Join CLRJs Union de Vecinas de Bell Gardens for a demonstration in front of Bell Gardens City Hall in support of strong Rent Control and Just Cause Law and other Tenant Protections. SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING IS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE!

When: Wednesday, March 17th
Where: Bell Gardens City Hall
Time: 4-6pm PST

COMMUNITY CARE: Please keep 6+ feet social distancing and come wearing double masks. 

Bring your own sign or make a sign on site with our posters boards and markers to show your support.

To learn more about our campaign sign UDVBG’s petition: bit.ly/RentControl4BG

#HousingIsRJ #RentControl4BG

[ID: solid mauve background with a transparent graphic of people protesting. bold white text says, “Community Action: Rent Control & Just Cause Demonstration.” Black text below reads, “When: March 17, 4 PM to 6 PM / Where: Bell Gardens City Hall, bit.oh/BGCommunityAction / For more information, contact Martha at martha@clrj.org or 661-400-8386.” The logos for CLRJ and Union de Vecinas de Bell Gardens are on the bottom of the post.]
Haven’t heard of the Helms Amendment before? No Haven’t heard of the Helms Amendment before?

No worries, here are the highlights (re: lowlights):

➡️Created by a white supremacist in the 1970s
➡️Rooted in racism and colonialism
➡️Deprives people around the world of receiving the health care they need
➡️Results in millions of people dying from unsafe abortions because they cannot access healthcare.

#ThisIsRJ #ReproJustice #RepealHelms

[ID: 1) bold white text on a solid, dark blue background that says, “If the US is serious about fighting white supremacy, we must: 1. Repeal Helms 2. Pass the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act #HelmsHurts” 2) same format as slide 1 with the text: “The Helms Amendment was introduced in direct response to Roe v. Wade to oppress and control the bodies of Black and brown women using the power of US funding. It’s time to end Helms.” 3)  #RepealHelms in varying bold blue text on a white background.]
Follow on Instagram
© Copyright 2020 California Latinas For Reproductive Justice. All Rights Reserved. By IMO MEDIA INC.