Queering Mestizaje and the Notion of Choice in Racial Identity Formation

• In Event: 023 - Regular Session. Latino/as

Abstract

This work explores mestizaje, a concept referring to mixed racial ancestry, which has been used by both Mexicans and Mexican Americans to describe national and ethnic identities. While mestizaje has been used to challenge racial categories, it has also inspired new and complicated questions about the degree of freedom we ought to have in claiming particular racial identities.Utilizing Sandra Soto's work (2010), I explore the consequences of asserting a particular racial identity for those of mixed racial ancestry.

Author

• Adriana Nunez, University of Colorado