Top: Banana Republic
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Banana Republic
Booties: Aldo
Bracelet: gift from my uncle
Earrings: Turkey
So, some weeks ago, there was an announcement about feminist fashion bloggers getting together to combine these two passions. I joined the Feminist Fashion Bloggers group, a decision that I though long and hard about, but ultimately took. Why would I think long and hard about something like this? Simple. It's because as a woman of color growing up the way I have (between continents and in a variety of socioeconomic settings), I feel that feminism is most often associated with a type of woman that I am not: the White, middle-class, well-educated woman from the US, Canada, or Western Europe.
But I do identify as a feminist - what I like to call a "Third World Feminist", so I joined. Because I figured the group needed a few more voices, yes? So, as part of this group, we're taking sartorial cues from a feminist fashion icon. So this is me liberally interpreting Julia de Burgos.
And then there's my personal favorite: A Julia de Burgos. This is the kind of thing that I so GET as a woman, as a Puerto Rican woman. We're from a culture where appearances matter for everyone (male or female), and there are certain ways of acting in public. But underneath it, there's more to us, a real us. Anyway, I took a stab at a translation here, so feel free to check it out.
You SHOULD celebrate every single little and big thing that make up exactly WHO you are. YOU are to be celebrated. I think you're great. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love this outfit too, but I feel a little shallow following this post by talking about your outfit. Odd, considering we're primarily style bloggers. :)
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wow you look so pretty, I tell you, you are rocking those booties with the skirt. The outfit is perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou are gorgeous on the outside.. and now I have the opinion you are just a gorgeous on the inside! I say no matter your special features (Body type, ethnicity, etc.), celebrate who you are - you were made wonderfully and are loved just the way you are made.
ReplyDeleteThis outfit is so simple, but I LOVE it. I can't put my finger on it, but I want it, now-ish. Haha!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I'm sitting here browsing fashion blogs in a fit of procrastination. What am I procrastinating? My Spanish professor told us to write poem in Spanglish (we're discussing code-switching) about our experiences as Hispanic Americans. I feel like a lot of my identity with this has a lot to do with being a Puerto Rican woman. You're right. We have a unique set of issues when it comes to feminism. I especially struggle with feminism because as a Puerto Rican and a Christian I kind of fall into these humble, passive woman roles. And I think that's great. A woman with virtues and composure is awesome. But then there are all these feminist issues of equality that are so big in mainstream society, and some of them are awesome. But some still make me stop a little. Maybe that sounds weird as a woman. Hopefully you understand. But I look forward to seeing more of your take on this topic and learning about your personal icons, especially when they inspire such awesome outfits! =p
That's a beautiful poem (the one you translated), and a beautiful outfit, and I'm thrilled to have learned about such a great person and poetess.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
laura-poet
(I can't really sign with poetess now, can I? :)
Thanks for translating the poem by Julia de Burgos. It's very powerful. I'm glad I read about her on your blog (I didn't know her until now). It's great that you can embrace feminism too. I fit the stereotype (white, middle-class, etc) but I don't want feminists to be such a homogenous group. There's room for more!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love the look today :) The leopard-print belt with boho top is a nice contrast/complement.
thanks so much for the poem translation, it is really beautiful and powerful! also your outfit is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the translated poem. She's a great icon to choose, thanks for the knowledge.
ReplyDeleteFeminism's history of racial and class inequality is one of the two things left that makes me troubled about using the word. But I believe that modern feminism must and can set a better record - so I'm glad you bring it up, and I'm glad you decided to join the group and take the title. :]
I like your shirt! It looks versatile.
Gorgeous inspiration and gorgeous take on it. Loved this post: your voice, the photos, everything!
ReplyDeletefrances,
ReplyDeletethanks for this post! i'm in FFB too, but i just didn't have the time to swing a post this week. i appreciate your honesty about "third-world" feminism....the whitewashed nature of feminism is definitely something i find problematic, even though i consider myself a vehement feminist. i took a black and chicana feminism course last year and learned a lot about the ways that mainstream feminism leaves women of color, and their concerns, out of the discussion.
have you read "this bridge called our back" or "this bridge called home"? both really great anthologies, the second one in direct response to the first. you can't go wrong with anzaldua!
You got style AND brains. That's one thing I love about you.
ReplyDeleteI love how you styled the skirt with the booties and that top with the subtle detailing!
ReplyDelete@ Jessie: I totally get that, as a fellow Puerto Rican and Christian. I feel like one of things that I get hung up on when considering so-called second wave feminism is the way so much of it is about moving into traditionally male roles instead of demanding recognition of the importance of traditionally female roles. That and several other "feminist" issues. But yes, I get that.
ReplyDelete@ Carrie: The love I have for Anzaldúa knows no bounds. I may have made my husband buy one of her books (Borderlands) because she's so amazing and I thought he should know.
Two more general comments:
1. This outfit is probably one of my favorites of my eleven months of blogging, so thanks for liking it, too. Hehehe :)
2. Thanks for checking out the translation of the poem. It took me a good long time to translate it (years ago) and I love it sooo much.
I so wish I could be a mouse in the corner of your classroom. You have introduced me to a new poet. I cannot assess the translation, but have cut and pasted the poem to print out. I love this line: "in all my poems, I undress my heart."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful translation, and an incredible woman. Thank you so much for writing this and introducing us to her.
ReplyDeleteI agree that feminism has a tendency to include only women of a certain colour, background and class...but I'm glad you joined the group. Looking forward to hearing more of your 'voice'!
I am so glad you decided to join and I hope to hear much more from you. I agree that feminism often excludes a lot of people and I am really interested in your thoughts on how to make it more inclusive. This post is wonderful, she sounds like a fascinating person and I love the poem you translated.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you decided to join and I hope to hear much more from you. I agree that feminism often excludes a lot of people and I am really interested in your thoughts on how to make it more inclusive. This post is wonderful, she sounds like a fascinating person and I love the poem you translated.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the translated poem. She's a great icon to choose, thanks for the knowledge.
ReplyDeleteFeminism's history of racial and class inequality is one of the two things left that makes me troubled about using the word. But I believe that modern feminism must and can set a better record - so I'm glad you bring it up, and I'm glad you decided to join the group and take the title. :]
I like your shirt! It looks versatile.