Abstract This paper considers several aspects of the growing Chicano population in America. The author presents numerous statistics about the growth of this population and the various causes for this growth. Additionally, the paper includes information regarding education and employment. The paper also considers policy-making regarding the welfare of the Mexican-American population. The author sees this as a primary concern in policy-making for the 21st century.
From the Paper " Public education and welfare are the other major issues for policy-making in the 21st century (Baker). Realistic allocations can be made only when based on true population composition. This is illustrated by a recent decision not to adjust the 1990 US Census Bureau statistics, which disproportionately omit US Latino-residents and, as a result, understate the population bases on which congressional representation and decisions on program funding are made. This kind of resistance has repeatedly resulted in an incomplete policy agenda and the formation of the appropriate and responsive management of demographic change. The fast-aging character of the American population places the burden of caring for the elderly on minorities and immigrants. Current and projected demographic patterns indicate that the economic success of the nation depends more and more on the fate of the growing Chicano population. Their education and welfare can, therefore, not be ignored by policymakers (Baker)."
Abstract This paper details the content of Rosales' book which uses testimonies from the past in the form of personal narratives, as well as historical documentation of the often difficult relationship between Mexico and America. The author contends and explains why it's imperative for America to right old wrongs and for Caucasians, Chicanos and Latinos across the nation to become more active in securing greater recognition and political enfranchisement for Chicano workers. This paper examines and details the prejudices chronicled in the book that still resonate today. Rosales' book is structured along four basic parts, which chronologically illustrates the Chicano movement. Part 1 explores the beginnings of the Chicano movement and its place in Mexican-American history. Part 2 reviews the birth of the Chicano civil rights struggle and its association with Cesar Chavez. Part 3 discusses the urban dimension to the struggle for Chicano rights. Part 4 describes the creation of the La Raza Unida Party and its impact on political power and rights.
From the Paper "Part 4, "Fighting for Political Power," concludes the book. It describes the creation of La Raza Unida Party as a third party force for political power and the importance of political rights. But the 1972 election and the Raza Unida convention of that year resulted in an eventual fragmentation of the party at the height of its membership and recognition, and unfortunately drew the first chapter of the Chicano movement to kind of a close, as older alliances began to drift away, and the American nation as a whole began to lose interest in some of its political concerns. After the Vietnam War wound down, many Americans became less politically interested and mobilized."
Abstract The paper starts by discussing how difficult it is to define exactly what a Chicano is. It goes on to discuss the U.S. Civil Rights movement and Arthur Schlesinger's idea of the "cult of ethnicity" also the attempts and problems of assimilation.
From the paper;
"It would not doubt be much more convenient for scholars if all Chicanos had the same political values, followed the same cultural customs, related to language(s) in the same way, conceptualized race in the same way. It would, under these circumstances, be easy to define the field of Chicano Studies.
But, of course, this is not the case. While there are certainly common elements linking various individuals within the Chicano community to each other, as a whole Chicanos are as diverse and as fragmented as any other similarly sized group of Americans. A man who has crossed the U.S.-Mexican border illegally to work as a busboy and who speaks no English, is only partly literate in the Spanish he speaks as a second language after his native Indian tongue, and who has a third-grade education ? after all ? might be suspected to have little in common with second-generation Cuban-American working as a heart surgeon who speaks Spanish to her family but English everywhere else."
Abstract The paper explores the ideals of Chicanos, those who actively support and propagate the idea of the Mexican American as a distinct social group with a unique and special culture. The paper discusses how defense of culture is the prime motivation of the Chicano movement and focuses on the Plan de Aztlan that identifies the ideological framework and also political program of the Chicano Movement. The paper then discusses how this may be a useful document to profess the necessity of Chicano nationalism and pride, but its steps of action if taken would only lead to the destruction of the Chicano culture and life. The paper concludes with the assertion that it is the responsibility of Mexican Americans, as with any cultural minority, to maintain their beliefs and culture through pride in their heritage.
From the Paper "The culture of Mexican Americans is one of variance and differing opinions. There are some who recognize their heritage but continue about life as if it did not matter, while others take active pride in their heritage. A third piece of the Mexican American population is that of Chicanos, those who actively support, and propagate, the idea of the Mexican American as a distinct social group with a unique and special culture. The defense of culture is the prime motivation of the Chicano movement, with many supporters from various realms of life, some more extreme than others, but nonetheless supportive of their collective heritage."
Tags: Plan, de, Aztlan, nationalism, heritage, pride, beliefs
Abstract This paper explains that the term "Mexican-American" is used for the original inhabitants of the U.S.-acquired northern territories of Mexico; whereas, "Chicano", historically a derogatory term, is used for Mexicans who immigrated in the U.S. during the period of the 1930s and 1940s. The author points out that, historically, during the early period of conflict, while the "Mexican Americans" had already been assimilated into American society, establishing their social and economic status in the society, Chicanos were mainly "outcasts" in this country. The paper concludes that, today, the Chicano-Mexican society is, and will be, a balance between the traditional and modern cultures, creating a hybrid form of culture and society that is distinctly characteristic of their Mexican and American heritage.
From the Paper "As the Mexican society is gradually assimilated into the contemporary American society, its future can be traced or patterned right after the history of African Americans in the US. The emergence of the Mexican American and Chicano movements fighting for equality and recognition of their rights in the American society is reminiscent of the civil rights movement of the African Americans during the 1960s (in fact, Mexicans are also included in this protest movement, along with black Americans). In essence, Mexican society and culture of the present and for the future is described as ?people between cultures,? where ?? "culture in the borderlands"? "human cultures"? (metropolitan typifications) are neither necessarily coherent nor always homogeneous.""
Abstract This paper examines the origins, history, and evolution of Chicano English, described as a new and unique American dialect. The paper describes how the linguistic heritage of Chicano English, combined with unique phonetic qualities gave birth to a dialect which is directly descended from the immigrant experience. The paper concludes that the tapestry of forms ranging from the Spanish of the Ranchero experience, blended with the Americanization of the industrial revolution, and the modern urban experience all helped to create the amalgamation that is the Chicano dialect.
From the Paper "A new foreword vision of prosperity was realized within the Mexican culture. Mexican immigrants desired to become integrated into American culture. This aspiration ultimately resulted in Hispanic participation in unions. "Additional evidence of this Americanization process was in the increased involvement in labor unions, especially the steel unions in the late 1930s, by Mexicans who participated not as Mexicans, but as American industrial workers". Obviously this type of integration into mainstream American culture would demand and that these first-generation Spanish speakers acquire Standard English in order to assimilate."
Abstract This paper begins by providing an overview of who the Chicanos are, including an examination of their culture. It then looks at the history of this population group and discusses whether white settlers in North America were racist against the Chicanos. It also compares the situation between Mexico and the United States.
From the Paper "Many generations ago, people were naturally segregated by physical geographical barriers. Mountain ranges, oceans, even sheer distances between communities formed distinct cultures, unique to their particular region of the world. Technology, however, made the barriers disappear. People, in a very short period of time, could travel wherever they wished, fairly comfortably and relatively quickly. The world figuratively opened up before its citizens and cultures began to co-mingle, and in some instances, were lost completely."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that as one begins to examine the issues facing Chicano communities, the importance of housing issues and a sense of community cannot be ignored. The writer points out that the problem of inadequate housing for low-income families is a wide-spread problem. Communities in Southern California are particularly susceptible due to the high Chicano population. The writer notes that the crisis is different depending on the community. However, the writer maintains that one thing is certain, a greater effort needs to be undertaken if this issues is to be solved for now and for the future. After reviewing different articles relating to the housing crisis, this paper addresses several facets of the housing issue in the U.S. Summaries of the articles discussed are included at the beginning of the paper.
Outline:
Part I: Article Summary
Article 1: Supporting the Latino Community
Article 2: Street Dreams Are made of These
Article 3: SHA Battles to Save County Affordable Housing Program
Article 4: Withering Heights
Article 5: Time to Remove the Rose Colored Glasses
Part II: Analysis of the Housing Issue
The Crisis of Affordable Housing
Federal Housing Programs and Policies
Local Government Affordable Housing Programs
From the Paper "As one found in the articles, there are several key issues facing Chicano communities. The high number of homeless school children, only tells part of the story. The number of homeless in Chicano communities is on the rise. The costs of housing have risen disproportionate to the rises in income. This means that even those that could afford housing before now face eviction and potential homelessness. This creates a rise in the number of working poor. As we found in the articles, there is an insufficient number of housing units available to medium and low income families. This number is decreasing instead of increasing, despite new government programs to provide more."
Abstract In this article, the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes the book "Bordering Fires: The Vintage Book of Contemporary Mexican and Chicano/a Literature" by Cristina Garcia. Specifically, the writer provides a report on the book, including the major themes and ideas presented. The writer maintains that 'Bordering Fires' is a compilation of essays and writings about the Hispanic experience on both sides of the U.S./Mexican border, which attempt to define the unique cultural identity these people share. The writer concludes that written by some of the most well known and respected Chicano/a voices, the book creates a cultural heritage for anyone who reads it.
From the Paper "Another man writes of his obvious charms to his female customers at the gift counter in a department store, and how he works the system and gets caught. There is something innocent about all these stories, even though the characters are not all innocent or even in some cases likable. However, just like the theme of the book, they show the melting pot that forms Chicano/a culture, and how so many different people and personalities make up these people. It also shows the view they have of one another, which is not always positive, and indicates again that all these writers are writing about people who are searching for their culture, their voice, and their purpose in a life that pulls them in two directions at once.
"Finally, the New Departures section is the hope of the culture in the future. These beautiful works, which read more like fairy tales or myths, indicate the hope the authors have for the future of Chicano/a culture and how it will change and grow, just as it always has done. One story sums up the theme of this book and this section quite well."
Abstract Both African-American women and Chicano women migrated to a new area for a better life. Unfortunately, domestic work was the only work available to these women. The writer shows how these women faced difficulties and also achieved rewards in this area of employment.
From the Paper "The image of the African American domestic servant continues to be in our memory and a part of mainstream American culture. There are numerous films depicting servants of minority descent. Yet, that image is a gross distortion. The women we have read about had little in common with the film versions, whose dignity and pride are not depicted or remembered by our society. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis interviewed 81 black women who migrated from the South to Washington, D.C., during the first three decades of this century in her book Living In, Living Out. When they arrived, domestic service was nearly the only available employment."
Abstract In this paper I will discuss the role the poem by Corky Gonzales and the film "I am Joaquin" had on the Chicano Movement. Within the paper these important questions will be asked: Why were these texts important? What were they seeking to create? What were their limitations? Also, within the paper I will integrate the film "Chicana" by Morales and how it relates to the movement.
Discussion of the origins of the Chicano gangs, the reasons behind their development and the public perception they created of second generation Mexican immigrants.
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract The culture and language of Mexican immigrants labeled them as outsiders by the dominant society. Most of the new arrivals respected the boundaries that existed, but the second generation found them hard to abide. Attracted by the downtown shopping districts, beaches, and glamour of Hollywood, many of the members of the second generation broke the unwritten rules that forbade their presence in these places. This pachuco generation attracted the negative attention of the Anglo-American population. 9 pgs. bibliography lists 5 sources.
Abstract This paper explains that, during the 1940s, the period of the Pachucos, Mexican-Americans were considered second-class citizens, suffering similar segregation and oppression as African-Americans of this time. The author stresses that the Pachucos and Chicanos are excellent examples of both the alienation and estrangement of the Mexican-Americans. The paper relates that a major problem of gangs is the loss of parental guidance.
From the Paper "Chicanos have adopted a unique style of dress. Much like the Pachucos, this fashion style is immediately recognizable by the public. Long-sleeved flannel shirts buttoned at the neck only over a t-shirt and baggy long pants, no matter how hot it is outside begins the ensemble. A bandana, of typically significant colors dependent on the gang they associate with, around the forehead or worn as a skullcap completes the outfit. A ball cap is optional; of course if worn, it will have the logo of the gang's adopted sports team. All in an overt attempt to let everyone know without question to which gang they belong. This outfit is so important to them, that it is not uncommon to see a gang member dressed in this more appropriate for winter garb, out on the sunny beach of Southern California in the middle of July."
Abstract This paper discusses how Vigil's book is a detailed introduction into the Mexican-American experience in the United States. The book depicts Mexican-American history in four stages: the Pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, Mexican Independence and Nationalism and the Anglo-American period. It explains that through the discussion of these the author provides a view of the dynamics still at work in contemporary Chicano life.
From the Paper "The result is a sweeping and panoramic account of the Chicano experience. His work is pioneering in the sense that it is all-encompassing while being brief and readable, where other works on the subject often focus on specific eras, regions, topics or statistical categories. Vigil on the other hand is all-inclusive in providing an account of where the Mexican-American culture as it is known today stems from, as well as a speculation of where they are on their way to. From an academic point of view the book is thus useful both to beginners and advanced scholars. Beginners are furnished with a full account of Mexican history, which is easily understandable. Advanced scholars can use the book as a basis for further, more specified study. Subjects such as Mexican studies and United States-Mexico relations are well supplemented by this book, which also includes a review of relevant literature and a solid conceptualization of the topic. "
Abstract This paper examines the Chicano struggle for independence, identity and a unique voice in America.
The paper includes information from Gloria Anzaldua's "Borderlands/Frontera", Ruben Martinez' "Crossing Over" and Sandra Cisneros' "Woman Hollering Creek".
From the Paper "Being Chicano is a state of consciousness. Nevertheless, as a minority population and identity within mainstream US culture, this designation represents a culturally determined role imposed on Hispanic- Americans from the outside. Within the history of the struggle between US and Mexican cultures, the struggle for identity, independence and a unique voice remains as paramount an individual and group issue today as it did more than a century and a half ago. Despite advances across all socio-economic measures, Chicanos continue to be ostracized..."
