Shapeshifting Subjects: Gloria Anzaldua’s Naguala and Border Arte

Kelli D. Zaytoun draws on Gloria Anzaldua’s thought to present a radically inclusive and expansive approach to selfhood, creativity, scholarship, healing, coalition-building, and activism. Zaytoun focuses on Anzaldua’s naguala/ shapeshifter, a concept of nagualismo. This groundbreaking theory of subjectivity details a dynamic relationship between inner work and public acts that strengthens individuals’ roles in social and transformative justice work. Zaytoun’s detailed emphasis on la naguala, and Nahua metaphysics specifically, brings much needed attention to Anzaldua’s long-overlooked contribution to the study of subjectivity. The result is a women and queer of color, feminist-focused work aimed at scholars in many disciplines and intended to overcome barriers separating the academy from everyday life and community. An original and moving analysis, Shapeshifting Subjects draws on unpublished archival material to apply Anzaldua’s ideas to new areas of thought and action.