ABSTRACT
I propose to approach the theme of the construction of justice in contemporary Chicana/o art from a philosophical and epistemological perspective that holds that reality is narratively construed and that justice is a dialogical construction that accounts for the pluralism inherent in the perception and interpretation of the world. Justice—as a norm—is the result of negotiation and consensus in a multi/intercultural context, which not only manifests differences in ethnicity, gender, class, and age, but creates fruitful exchanges among cultural groups. Drawing on the ideas of Jürgen Habermas, Richard Rorty, and Jacques Derrida, and exploring the Latina/o reinvention of the U.S. urban landscape, this chapter aims to analyze the rich potential of Chicana/o artistic practices to create a democratic ethos.
