The Politics of Care and Emotional Labor

Sor Juana's life included not only intellectual work but extensive emotional labor: mentoring students, providing pastoral care, managing relationships with powerful figures through correspondence, and maintaining her community's cohesion. This work was essential to her survival and her influence, yet it was less visible than her published writings. Intersectional analysis reveals that care work—emotional labor, community building, mentoring, support—is disproportionately expected from and performed by women and marginalized people. This work is often unpaid, undervalued, and framed as natural rather than political. The politics of care means: recognizing care work as essential labor deserving compensation and recognition, understanding that care requirements differ based on intersecting positions, and questioning who is expected to provide care to whom. In practice, this means valuing administrators and support staff equally with visible leaders, compensating mentors for their work, recognizing that marginalized people often mentor others while invisible, and structuring organizations so care isn't extracted only from the most vulnerable. It means men and dominant-group members increasing their care labor. Sor Juana's example shows that intellectual and care work were inseparable—her thinking emerged through relationship, and her relationships required constant emotional tending. Justice requires valuing both.