at
Within these broad categories [Blacks, Latinas, Asians and American Indians], there are important distinctions as well---the most important being that of country of origin among Latina and Asian women. Among Latinas, the primary groups are Mexican Puerto Rican, and Cuban women; among Asians, there are more than twenty national origins, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Asian Indian, and Vietnamese (Zinn & Dill, 1994, 13-14).
We read as well of lower educational levels, lower work status and lower income among black, American Indian, and, in general, Latina women, than among Cubans and Asian women. This is because women in the latter two groups "are immigrants from countries that have been somewhat selective in their migration experience." In addition, "Vietnamese women are quite disadvantaged relative to other Asians because they are primarily refugees, some with limited literacy" (Zinn & Dill, 1994, 14). Most importantly, all groups of women of color do more poorly in all categories than men of the same ethnic groups.
Black women in general suffer greatly under oppressive conditions based on race and gender. This is especially true in terms of work, where Black women "are concentrated in low-level service and clerical jobs." In addition, "many Black women are single mothers who earn considerably less than men and experience difficulty in providing for their families" (Zinn & Dill, 1994, 15).
Due to the fact that Black women are not immigrants and do not have high fertility compared to the other groups, the black population has not increased as rapidly as the other groups. Also, Black women in general are young, urban, and more likely to live in the southern area of the nation (Zinn & Dill, 1994, 15). Similarly, Latina women are more live in urban areas, have low
...