Maria Stern (174-197)

A brief summary of “Racism, sexism, classism, and much more: reading security-identity in marginalized sites” by Maria Stern (pg. 174-197)

            Maria Stern, in her article "Racism, sexism, classism, and much more: reading security-identity in marginalized sites," speaks about the insecurity of Mayan women marginalized by the Guatemalan elites and the Guatemalan state. Stern explains that, “In sum Mayan women’s insecurity [is] multiple, contingent, and defined in terms of their identity" (176). The Mayans that stern interviewed identified themselves as women, indigenous, and poor which showed their understanding of their identity as marginalized Guatemalan pseudo citizens. Even though Stern was only able to interview women that were political leaders due to their ability to read and co-author their narrative, there was a large consensus amongst them that they had been a part of a resistance that has lasted 500 years (192). The challenges faced by Stern in researching the plight of these women were being able to communicate effectively, while at the same time not exploiting their narratives, all while remembering and balancing her position of privilege.

By Maribel, Haley, and Alexandra