"I am a Chicana lesbian. My own particular relationship to being a sexual person; and a radical stand in direct contradiction to, and in violation of, the women I was raised to be." Through the poetry, prose, and personal stories in Loving in the War Years
, Cherrie Moraga explores this contradiction, weaving her confusion and pain with her eventual self-acceptance. She writes about prejudices she suffers because she is half-white and a lesbian born in a Catholic, Chicano culture. She tells of her frustrations with the importance men were given as she was growing up and the exclusion of lesbian women of color from the women's movement. In her struggles, she draws from those parts of her upbringing which are necessary to her physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being - the love of her mother's home, the sense of community among Chicana women, the smell of the candles in church, and the spiritual need to respect something beyond herself - creating a portrait of beauty, anger, and independence. "Spirituality which inspires activism and, similarly, politics which move the spirit - which draw from the deep-seated place of our greatest longings for freedom - give meaning to our lives." Some knowledge of Spanish may be helpful with these writings, but even without it Cherrie Moraga's words will touch your heart and your mind. -- For great reviews of books for girls, check out Let's Hear It for the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14
. -- From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Holly Smith
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.