Origin
“The Mexican in the United States has been, and continues to be, no less a victim of American imperialism than his impoverished brothers in Latin America”
The Chicano Movement or El Movimiento of the 1960’s was a push for the restoration of land grants taken from indigenous owners, better education for Mexican-Americans, voting and political rights as well as working towards eliminating negative stereotypes and rampant discrimination against Mexican Americans. From the Grape Boycott led by Chavez to the establishment of unions and political rights groups for Latinos, the movement was monumental for Latinos in America.
The movements ideals can be traced to the end of the Mexican American war of 1848 and the establishment of the US border. Inspired by indigenous heroes of the 19th century, the movement gained traction in the 1960’s and 1970’s alongside other civil rights movements.
Reclamation of the word chicano
The word Chicano was originally a derogatory term used against Mexican-Americans. The children of Mexican migrants in the United States, they were discriminated against on both the Mexican and American sides. This term was reclaimed during the Chicano movement as a word that empowers the Mexican-American cultural identity and the establishment of a culture inherently different from Mexican or American identities. The Chicano identity draws from the indigenous roots of the Mayans, Mexican and American cultures.
Major Players
“César Chávez became my role model. To this day, he remains the strongest influence in my life.” – Luis Valdez
Reies Lopez Tijerina – Leader of the land grant movement
Dr. Hector P. Garcia – Established the american gi forum
Roldolfo “Corky” Gonzalez – wrote yo soy joaquin, a pivotal piece of chicano literature
Cesar Chavez – leader of the farm workers rights group
comision femenil mexicana national – womens group fighting against compulsory sterilization
Mexican american legal defense and education fund
Valdez met and worked with Chavez through El Teatro Campesino as well as attended various boycotts and protests for the rights of farm workers in Los Angeles.
Evolution of the Chicano Art Style
“Chicano art is the modern, ongoing expression of the long-term cultural, economic, and political struggle of the Mexicano people within the United States. It is an affirmation of the complex identity and vitality of the Chicano People. Chicano art arises from and is shaped by our experiences in the Americas.”—Founding Statement of the CARA National Advisory Committee, July 1987
Defined as bold, brightly colored, the Chicano art style developed during the movement to express the discrimination faced in the United States. Influenced by religion, indigenous roots, Mexican culture and pride, American influence and experiences of migrant workers, the art style existed in various forms. Paintings, murals, performance art, literature and so on, the Chicano style expresses immense pride, resilience and somber realities of oppressed peoples.