Fregoso- Rethinking State Terrorism

In “The Complexities of ‘Feminicide’ on the Border,” Rosa Linda Fregoso makes the point that state violence is not a problem for the state, but a problem because of the state. Fregoso makes this point by noting that the violence against the indigenous, dark-skinned, poor women has been indirectly allowed because the state oppresses this group of people already.

In the section “Rethinking State Terrorism,” Fregoso emphasizes that sexual violence is not primarily the outcome of global capitalism. Sexual violence roots from the traditional forms of patriarchy occuring in the state already. This is notable because it suggests that sexual violence occurs because it was indirectly allowed before. It is easy to agree with this point because the societal standards in Mexico are traditionally more patriarchal and more reliant on gender expectations. This becomes further more agreeable when you take into account that poor, indigenous, dark-skinned women often fall victim to the violence. Fregoso mentions that the women’s relationship with the state is already racialized and ethnicized. This further proves the point that sexual violence is already deeply rooted in the state and not just a problem for the state.

In this same section, Fregoso makes note that this is considered terrorism against the indigenous people. The author goes as far as labeling it as state-sponsored terrorism. This too is also agreeable when taking into account, once again, the patriarchal society and the racialized and ethnicized relationship the state has with women. One could think of it as the state just further taking advantage of the indigenous people through their women. The state is primarily the reason for the oppression of the indigenous people and most likely linked to them being in a lower economic class.

Overall, I find Fregoso’s main points to be completely valid because it all connects to a patriarchal umbrella that is in control of their society. In the United States, state violence against the indigenous people is occurring all the time and has been occurring for centuries. One particular event in the United States is that on February 14th every year, indigenous women call attention to the murders of Native American and Alaskan Native women. This occurs every year, but we do not see this often publitizied nor is society generally aware that this is an issue. In the United States, just like Mexico, patriarchy and racialization is so deeply rooted into our society that we do not see how it is such an issue now.

In class I would like to further discuss if others also believe that the author's point are easily agreeable with.