Racial Identity, Racialization Experiences, and Feelings of Belonging and Exclusion among Mexican American Women

• In Event: 530 - Regular Session. Latinas/os, Criminalization, and Exclusion

Abstract

There are two dominant perspectives explaining how Mexican immigrant-origin populations
incorporate into American society. One considers immigrants and their offspring to be
“assimilating” and thus believes parity with the dominant society is attainable, similar to
previous European immigrants. In contrast, the other emphasizes how a racialization process,
whereby showing how historically Mexican immigrant-origin groups have faced discrimination
and exclusion. But how does a growing anti-immigrant climate further exacerbate the life
experiences of Mexican American women? Using interviews with 30 US-born Mexican
American women from Houston, Texas, I explore how they confront an anti-immigrant climate
and how this shapes their racial identity, racialization experiences, and feelings of belonging or
exclusion. Findings suggest racial identity is relational, vis-à-vis an immigrant narrative and anti-immigrant stigmatization. Women fall into three categories describing themselves as being: 1)
“Mexican Mexican” or “real” Mexicans; 2) equally proud of being Mexican and American; and
3) American. Yet, all women described being racialized. Findings suggest the need to examine
how an anti-immigrant society plays a role in identity formation and racialization experiences.

Author

• San Juanita García, University of California, Riverside