Sadistic Chola Manifesto – Journal #137

“Chola” is one of the many haunted words of the Andes. It is impossible to locate for the North American reader, for whom “chola” recalls an image of certain Mexican-American women who embody fierce dissent and excess. The chola of the South looks quite different, although she has her own ways of conflicting with society. “Chola” is a racial slur that communicates disgust with indigenous people or traits. When hurled at women it signals their/our promiscuity, whorishness, and unrapeability. “Chola” is deployed with the mutability of raciality. Growing up, classmates and relatives who inhabited nicer . . .