Plural Feminisms: An Interview with Amneris Chaparro-Martínez

March 31, 2023

In this interview with CLAIS, feminist political theorist and visiting professor at the Yale MacMillan Center, Amneris Chaparro-Martínez talks to us about the ever-changing definitions of feminism. On March 8th, she delivered a talk entitled Rags. Petrol. Matches, at the MacMillan Center, which explores the role of fire in feminist political protest. On April 4th, she will discuss feminist theory as part of the CLAIS Colloquium. 

What projects have you been recently working on?

The project that I have been working on critically addresses the relationship between contemporary feminisms and neoliberalism, post-feminism, and dissent. I talk about feminisms in the plural form to capture the diversity within current feminist mobilizations in Latin America within the wider framework of feminism as an umbrella term. More specifically, I am interested in understanding how these mobilizations play a role in shaping both the political feminist agenda and the conceptual innovations of feminist theory. 

How do feminism and intersectionality figure in your work?

Feminism is the focus of my work in two senses. First, as a social phenomenon, I am interested in feminist mobilizations and the message they convey when demanding the halt of sexualized violence. Second, feminism also represents the theoretical and conceptual framework from which I draw on my analysis. As for intersectionality, it is a valuable tool for identifying the different systems of oppression and privilege embodied by different political subjects in and outside academia. That is any empirical observation, as well as any theoretical assumption, needs to be informed by a clear picture of those involved in any case. 

What challenges does feminism still face at the structural level in Mexico?

The challenge of credibility. Since feminism is an intellectual and political movement that seeks to debunk hierarchical gender relations, it is usually met with suspicion and skepticism. Anti-feminist campaigns attempt to minimize feminism’s emancipatory aspirations through violence, scorn, or active indifference to feminist demands, which sustains the system of oppression as natural and unchangeable. In this sense, it is of the utmost importance to understand that feminism does not entail the hatred of men or their extermination. Women demand to be heard because those oppressive structures are unsustainable and harmful to everybody. Governments and societies alike need to believe that feminism is an avenue for change toward a more just society.

How do you define dissident feminism, and why is it important for your work?

I challenge that view of post-feminism by depicting the configuration of late twentieth-century feminism in the Global South and the types of demands and relationships these feminists establish with the free markets, the State, and different forms of feminism. This leads me to the notion of dissident feminism. Dissident feminism is a term that encompasses different forms of feminism that do not align with liberal or hegemonic feminisms. Here we find not only Marxists and radical feminists but also indigenous, Chicana, black, and anarcha-feminisms that do not comply with traditional views of how the feminist fight should be conducted. 

What is your role in the LAIGN Executive Committee?

Along with the other committee members, I make decisions regarding the network’s agenda, guidelines, and principles, as well as the different ways in which we can support all the groups, scholars, students, and activists enrolled in the network. For this year, we are planning several initiatives that include not only events but also the use of different media to connect with other scholars and the general public interested in issues related to gender and feminism. 

What are you working on during your time at Yale?

I am teaching a seminar on feminisms and epistemology in Latin America. I am also working on a book manuscript on the notions of fire within feminist theory and mobilization.

By Alan Mendoza Sosa, Graduate Communications Fellow, alan.mendoza-sosa@yale.edu