What is a Chicano/a? Mexican American History and Culture.

Chicano Movement 1960, The Chicano Art Movement. Intellectual Leadership Institute

Chicano History, What is a Chicano?

The term Chicano has continually been reclaimed and used as a self-identifier for those of Indigenous origin and Mexican descent.

According to Mario Garcia, a Chicano studies professor and scholar, the term “Chicano” was used to refer to Mexican immigrants between 1900 and 1930s and was first used in the 1920s as part of Mexican anthropologist Mario Gamio’s research.

In the 1940s, urban Mexican Americans such as the Pachucos and Zoot Suiters again reappropriated the term. In the 1960s, however, Chicano became a term not only meant to identify one’s identity but also a mark of political activism. The label Chicano/a was reclaimed by youth who resisted assimilation into white American Society. It was used to express ethnic solidarity and pride in their community and culture.

A journalist and civil rights activist who was a prominent figure in the Chicano Movement, Ruben Salazar, stated, “A Chicano is a Mexican American with a non-Anglo image of himself.”

What was The Chicano Movement?

The Chicano Movement of the 1960s was a Social Justice Movement, a Mexican American Civil Rights movement, and a resistance movement that sought change in social, economic, and working conditions.

Today, Chicanismo is still seen. Many Mexican Americans still use this term as a self-identifier, myself included. Whether it is a love of Chicano art, history, activism, culture, or pride, Chicanismo will continue to grow and hopefully be an inspiration to young Mexican Americans who wish to continue the fight for the rights of our people, the protection of our history, and culture and the progression of a new social justice movement. With the current political climate and the harassment and deportation of lawful immigrants, it is vital to use our voices and remind our people of who we are, where we come from, and the strength we have as a community.

If you’d like to learn more about Chicanismo or Mexican American Culture and History, then be sure to follow along. I will be creating a series to dig deeper into the Chicano movement as well as other Mexican American History. I hope to bring awareness to our culture and what we have accomplished here in the United States. Only with knowledge will we be able to create change. Change how we are viewed, treated, and scapegoated. Together, we can make a difference for the betterment of our people and for the greater good of the United States of America. It is time to use our voices. It is time to show strength and time for action.

References: Book Links and Videos

Manuel G. Gonzales, Mexicanos, A history of Mexicans in the United States, Second Edition, Chapter 8, The Chicano Movement 1965–1975 (2009)

David Dorado Romo, Borderlands and the Mexican American Story, Chapter 12, The Chicano Movement (2024)

Book Talk: Mario T. García in conversation with Rosalio Muñoz and Raul Ruiz (Video) The Original video used for this article is no longer available. The Original video was posted by the California Historical Society, The Chicano Generation: Testimonios of a Movement. It was similar to this link.

Screenshot of the original video used as a reference for this article.

Mario T. Garcia, The Chicano Generation, Testimonios of The Movement (2015)

Author:

Author of this Article: Glorya Rodriguez

Author Social Media and Book Links:

TikTok: Last weeks Chicano and Mexican American Video, Mass deportation of American Citizens, Mexican Repatriation (History)

Instagram

Book: A Souls Journey Home