Locating migrant Latinas in a diverse economies framework: evidence from Chicago

Abstract

In this article I use an intersectional diverse economies framework and weak theory to build knowledge about migrant Latinas' economic spaces in Chicago. Drawing on qualitative data, I demonstrate how multiple and dynamic identities are linked to economic practices. I show that Latina migrants are not limited to capitalist or noncapitalist forms of economic engagement within neoliberal structures or to single spaces within or outside ethnic economies. Their multiple and dynamic practices shifted, as did their identities and geographies. I captured a snapshot of one migrant Latina economic community and provide insights about the nature and scale of its activities as well as the opportunities, and obstacles it faces. I propose future research and policy resulting from seeing economies differently. What kinds of programs might support collective economies and migrant Latina crafts? How might we re-envision workforce development programs if we see economies differently? What kinds of creative campaigns and advocacy do we need with new kinds of economies? More data and reflection on the nature and scale of intersectional identities within migrant (and other) economic communities and the geoeconomic ramification within those communities is needed. Furthermore, I call for the imagination of new global forms and practices that respond to the crisis that the current economic structures are facing.

Localización de latinas migrantes en un marco de economías diversas: evidencia desde Chicago

En este artículo utilizo un marco de economías diversas interseccionales y teoría débil para construir conocimiento sobre los espacios económicos de las migrantes latinas en Chicago. Basándome en datos cualitativos, demuestro cómo las múltiples y dinámicas identidades están ligadas a las prácticas económicas. Muestro cómo las migrantes latinas no se limitan a formas capitalistas o no capitalistas de participación económica dentro de la estructura neoliberal o a espacios simples dentro o fuera de las economías étnicas. Sus prácticas múltiples y dinámicas cambiaron, así como sus identidades y geografías. Capturé una instantánea de una comunidad económica latina migrante y ofrezco puntos de vista sobre la naturaleza y escala de sus actividades así como las oportunidades y obstáculos que enfrenta. Propongo investigación y políticas futuras como resultado de ver a las economías en forma diferente. ¿Qué tipos de programas pueden apoyar las economías colectivas y las manualidades de latinas migrantes? ¿Cómo podríamos repensar los programas de desarrollo de la fuerza de trabajo si vemos diferentemente las economías? ¿Qué tipos de campañas creativas y promoción necesitamos con nuevos tipos de economías? Se necesitan más datos y más reflexión sobre la naturaleza y escala de las identidades interseccionales dentro de las comunidades económicas migrantes (y otras) y la ramificación geoeconómica dentro de aquellas comunidades. Además, hago un llamado a la imaginación de nuevas formas y prácticas globales que responden a la crisis que enfrentan las actuales estructuras económicas.

将拉丁裔移民置放于多样性经济架构中：来自芝加哥的证据

我在本文中，运用相互交织的多样性经济架构及微弱理论，建构关于芝加哥拉丁裔移民的经济空间的知识。我将运用质性数据，证明多重且动态的认同，如何连结至经济实践。我将展现，拉丁裔移民的经济参与，并非仅限于新自由主义结构中的资本或非资本形式，亦不仅存在于族裔经济之内或之外的单一空间。他们的多重且动态的实践不断地转换，正如同他们的身份认同及地理空间。我捕捉了一个拉丁移民经济社群的印象，并对其活动的本质与尺度，及其所面对的契机与挑战提出洞见。透过以不同的方式看待经济，我提出了未来的研究及政策。什麽样的计画或许会支持集体经济与拉丁裔移民的传统职业？如果我们以不同的方式看待经济，那麽我们该如何再想像劳动发展计画？伴随着崭新的经济类型而来的是，我们需要什麽样的创意游说运动及倡议？我们对于移民（及其他）经济社群相互交织的身份认同的本质与尺度，以及这些社群之中地理与经济的交错纵横，需要更多的数据及反思。我将进一步呼吁崭新的全球形式及实践的想像，该形式与实践得以回应当前经济结构所面临的危机。

Keywords:

• Latina
• diverse economies
• ethnic economy
• workforce development
• race
• migrant

Palabras claves:

• latina
• economías diversas
• economía étnica
• desarrollo de la fuerza del trabajo
• raza
• migrante

关键词::

• 拉丁裔
• 多样性经济
• 族裔经济
• 劳动发展
• 种族
• 移民

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the invaluable comments and suggestions by the anonymous reviewers. Also, the women in Chicago with whom I worked, for many years, were and continue to be a source of insight and inspiration.

Notes

^1. Latina is a contested term in the USA. Most basically it means a woman who is from Latin American or has Latin American heritage, but, for example, Brazilians often reject the term and distance them selves from Latina/o movements or activities. Issues of class and race also complicate how people use the term. While many Latinas may be light skinned, in the USA their origin prevents them from being considered ‘white’ in the US mainstream. I am using the term to refer to women who are from Latin America or have Latina American heritage.

^2. The one exception is Native American men and women have lower income and education than do immigrant Latinas in several studies. See Sweet and Gunzel (2004) for an analysis of the 2000 PUMS data in Chicago and surrounding counties

^3. Pagos (payments) is sort of like layaways but the clients get to have the item at the point of the initial agreement and pay over time. This represents an alternative credit system.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth L. Sweet

Elizabeth L. Sweet revived her BA from Boston University in Soviet and East European Studies and her Masters in Urban Planning and Policy as well as her PhD in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She is an interdisciplinary critical scholar focusing on a triad of relationships between economies, identity, and violence (all broadly conceived). Her scholarship examines the role of planning and policy in the production and reproduction of social, economic and spatial inequalities, particularly in Latino and Indigenous communities. Her research has been funded by the George Soros Civic Education Project, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Fulbright Scholars Program, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Center for Democracy in a Multiracial Society, the National Science Foundation, the American Sociological Association, and the Institute of Research on Race and Public Policy.