Invisibility & Visibility (Yamada)
What does Yamada mean by calling invisibility an “unnatural disaster”?
Oppression is man made, not natural. It’s caused by people.
What does “La Güera” mean?
Mexican slang for a light skinned woman.
What is internalized oppression?
When marginalized people absorb negative beliefs about themselves.
What major historical event shaped Yamada’s early life?
Japanese American internment during WWII.
“Their anger made me angry.” (pg.4 Yamada)
White students were uncomfortable because they didn’t expect Asian American anger.
Why were Yamada’s students angry at Asian American militancy?
Because they “didn’t expect” Asian Americans to feel oppressed.
Why did Moraga’s mother avoid teaching her Spanish?
To help her assimilate and avoid discrimination.
How does Yamada internalize oppression?
She believes she should be quiet and non-confrontational.
What was expected of Japanese Americans during WWII?
To prove loyalty and support the war effort.
“Invisibility is not a natural state for anyone.” (pg.10 Yamada)
Marginalization is socially constructed, not inevitable.
What does “Shikataganai” represent in the essay?
A mindset of resignation “it can’t be helped.”
What realization does Moraga have about her college alienation?
It was about race and class privilege, not personal failure.
How does Moraga internalize racism?
She values whiteness and distances herself from brownness.
Why does Moraga describe lesbianism as a “poverty”?
Because it brings marginalization and social risk.
“Silence is like starvation.” (pg.6 Moraga)
Repression destroys emotional and psychological survival.
How did Yamada contribute to her own invisibility?
By staying silent, being passive, trying to be “non-trouble making.”
What does Moraga mean when she says she “rode the wave of white privilege”?
She benefited from passing as white.
How does Moraga describe silence?
Like starvation.
What critique does Moraga make of white feminism?
It often ignores race and class privilege.
“The danger lies in ranking the oppressions.” (pg.6 Moraga)
Oppression is interconnected; hierarchy prevents unity.
Why does Yamada reject the idea that Japanese Americans endurance comes from surviving natural disasters?
Because that compares human injustice (internment, racism) to acts of God which removes accountability.
Why does Moraga say “The danger lies in ranking the oppressions”?
Because it divides oppressed groups and prevents solidarity.
Why do both authors argue that self awareness is necessary for solidarity?
Because without confronting our own internalized oppression, we cannot build authentic alliances.
Why do both authors argue that oppression is not natural?
Because it is created and maintained by people and institutions.
“We must remember that one of the most insidious ways of keeping women and minorities powerless is to let them only talk and not listen.” (pg.10 Yamada)
Tokenization without real power keeps people marginalized.