The Gloria Anzalda Reader

Born in the Ro Grande Valley of south Texas, independent scholar and creative writer Gloria Anzalda was an internationally acclaimed cultural theorist. As the author of Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza, Anzalda played a major role in shaping contemporary Chicano/a and lesbian/queer theories and identities. As an editor of three anthologies, including the groundbreaking This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color, she played an equally vital role in developing an inclusionary, multicultural feminist movement. A versatile author, Anzalda published poetry, theoretical essays, short stories, autobiographical narratives, interviews, and childrens books. Her work, which has been included in more than 100 anthologies to date, has helped to transform academic fields including American, Chicano/a, composition, ethnic, literary, and womens studies.This readerwhich provides a representative sample of the poetry, prose, fiction, and experimental autobiographical writing that Anzalda produced during her thirty-year careerdemonstrates the breadth and philosophical depth of her work. While the reader contains much of Anzaldas published writing (including several pieces now out of print), more than half the material has never before been published. This newly available work offers fresh insights into crucial aspects of Anzaldas life and career, including her upbringing, education, teaching experiences, writing practice and aesthetics, lifelong health struggles, and interest in visual art, as well as her theories of disability, multiculturalism, pedagogy, and spiritual activism. The pieces are arranged chronologically; each one is preceded by a brief introduction. The collection includes a glossary of Anzaldas key terms and concepts, a timeline of her life, primary and secondary bibliographies, and a detailed index.