I stumbled on this great print on Etsy by
aymujer. I was curious. I did not know what it meant but I loved the poem in the description. So I looked it up. According to San Antonia author Sandra Cisneros “Chingona" means a woman who has finally come full speed, screeching towards point in which she discovers her own power. It is a feeling of self-assertion, self-recognition, and peace and compassion for others as well as oneself.
She says:
Our only true possessions are our actions.
Transform darkness into light.
Be of service to mankind and to yourself.
Live for your own approval. Center yourself. Be alone. Create your own space.
Discover your own powers. What floods you with joy?
Find true humility and practice it.
Keep your palabra, your word.
Live in the present moment.
Depression has a purpose if you use it before it uses you.
Listen to your body.
In the last few weeks I I have made a new friend. She is a Spanish professor. We spent last night hanging out and when I found this today I thought of her. I think she is La Chingona. Starting today I will be La Chingona. I think many women could stand to allow themselves to be La Chingona
7 comments:
thanks for the introduction to this term...I can totally relate to it
The poem with the print is great - as is Sandra Cisneros's speech. You should, however, be aware that outside of the literary world La Chingona means "the fucking coolest" or "the fucking badass." It is generally only used in Mexico, is considered vulgar, and comes from the verb chingar = to fuck.
You are right about the empowering nature of the term and the Yreina Flores Ortiz print. I thought the print was particularly funny because I could see myself standing in front of the mirror in the morning getting ready for the day and and saying, "Today I will be Chingona," but you can be sure I'll use my best Tony Montana accent and wear a grin when I do.
Love it!
Yeah I figured it included vulgarity. Especially since the only translation I could find was for the masculine.
Wow! I am truly flattered! A war has been waging inside of me lately entre la chingona y la llorona (I’ll let you figure out what that means!), and I appreciate that my friends are ever-encouraging and always inspiring! And bravo – I agree that all women should allow themselves to be la chingona. I’m not gonna lie – when I let HER win out – I always feel better! Thanks for thinking of me! And by the way, I like the idea of standing in the mirror in the morning and thinking, "Today I will be la chingona!" It sure beats my Stuart Smalley rendition of, "You're good enough, you're smart enough and gosh darnit, people like you!" Double LOL "T"
I am so glad to have found this page. I had heard the word before, of course in its vulgar form and have used it a few times in jest. My husband has just told me I'm stupid for saying it. Reading what you have written has actually empowered and inspired me. I want to be la chingona and I will make a point to wake up and say "i will be la chingona today". Thank you.
I love to be la chigona. In my daily living. :)
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