Why Immigration is a Feminist Issue

In a recent panel discussion held by the National Organization for Women (NOW-NYC) on feminism for women of Color, I was asked why mainstream feminisms has not considered immigration a feminist issue.

As a transnational Latina feminist, immigration has always been one of my top priorities, right alongside reproductive justice and the wage/professional gap that affect mostly women like me.

As this question was presented to me, I struggled for a response because on the one hand, I don't understand how an issue that disproportionately affects women and children is not considered a feminist priority, but on the other hand, I also understand that when something doesn't directly affect a group of people, they are less likely to regard it as most important.

As transnational women of Color, we understand that if immigration reform is not a priority, our families will be the ones affected the most.

This has been said many times, but I'll say it again: Mainstream feminists must listen to women of Color when they voice their struggles.

In Pursuit of Sexual Pleasure Equality

 Sexual pleasure is not a one-way street.

If you are a woman who has had one, two, or any number of sexual partners, you may know that sex should always feel good for both partners.

If you are a woman who has not yet had sex, you probably hope that your first time, and times subsequent, will be equally pleasurable for everyone involved.

After all, our sexual relationships are outlets for pleasure.

Open Letter To Organizations That Want Me To Speak For Free

Dear organizations that want me to speak for free,

In the past few months I have received several emails from organizations that would like me to speak at an event they are hosting in the upcoming months, particularly for Women’s History Month. Mostly I am invited to speak on issues related to sexism in the workplace, STEM outreach, and transnational/Latina feminism; topics that I feel very comfortable speaking about as I live these experiences in my daily life. It took me forever to feel comfortable saying this but I am expert in these topics and I have years of first hand experience that I can share and use to train other organizations in how to make their workspace welcoming and less hostile to women. I can also speak on what it feels like to be a transnational feminist living at the intersection of two cultures.

But I won’t do this for free.