Female Mexican Immigrants in the United States: Cultural Knowledge and Healing

ABSTRACT

Mexican American immigrant women have faced many adversities historically, resulting in significant injuries to their physical and psychological selves. In attempts to heal from such injuries, these women have long engaged in self-healing through maintenance of their own cultural values, identities, and beliefs and also through working with, or even becoming, traditional healers. Such healing processes can be seen as a form of adjustment to a new culture, as well as a maintenance of native culture (Espin, 1996) and may take the form of a blending of cultures representing a “new indigeneity.” This article highlights such healing practices, including the role of cultural values and beliefs for healing, as well as current efforts to blend cultural healing practices within a framework of equality and respect.

KEYWORDS:

• Mexican immigrants
• spirituality
• women’s indigenous healing

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the many Mexican immigrant women who have been willing to share their stories with us through the years, as well as Jose Arreola of the UndocuHealing Project, and Carla Pérez of the Healing Clinic Collective, who shared about their healing journeys and wonderful organizations.