Chicano Research Paper

The term Chicano was a word used as a derogatory remark to identify Mexican- Americans of low social class. It wasn’t until the 1960’s when the term Chicano became popular during the Chicano Movement. Chicano was mainly popular among students who performed walkouts, teachers, and farm workers. It was until then that Mexican- Americans took pride of the term that was once a negative remark. Till this day, Mexican- Americans have many alternative identification terms they could adopt like; Hispanic, Chicano, Latino, among others. But the real question is what Chicano means in a cultural, economic, and educational perspective. More importantly, what the term Chicano means to me. Which is what I will be analyzing today with the help of various
Almost everyone can agree that Mexican- Americans are one of the most hardworking races. But in reality, we don’t know how much they’ve had to compromise. As Mario T. Garcia (1981) writes, “…the impact of American industrialization and urbanization forced the immigrants to adjust to changing conditions” (p.32). Chicanos had to assimilate into the American culture when they came to United States to work. Because their Mexican culture was frowned upon in the United States. The basic traditions, culture, language, and lifestyle was no longer accepted by the Anglo community in the U.S. Another reading by Dolores Delgado Bernal changed my prospective about Chicano education. As we all know the education system has failed to provide Chicanos with equal and adequate education for them. But this did not refrain Chicanos, in fact they fought for their right to equal education and succeeded. As Bernal (1999) wrote, “More Chicanas/os and other Latinas/os are going to college; most major universities in the Southwest offer some type of Chicana/o Studies courses…” (pg. 323). Chicano students overcame the educational obstacles imposed on them and since then continued to succeed in the education system. Lastly, Vicki L. Ruiz (1998) writes in her article the obstacles of cultural assimilation Chicanos faced from other religions and races. “Imbued with the ideology of “the melting pot,” teachers, social workers, and religious missionaries envisioned themselves as harbingers of salvation and civilization” (pg. 33). This affected Chicano families considering they were forced to assimilate to an “Americanized” way of living, leaving behind their Mexican culture, traditions, and customs. Ultimately, the Chicano community has faced and overcame challenging obstacles for years categorizing them as