The Chicano Movement > Background

Comment: History sweeps on apace and the information from the original websource is kind of outdated but useful. For one issue, the population of Latinos is in constrant growth and I believe we are always the majority minority inside the United States.

With the development of high-tech communications via the Internet there are more and more Chicanos who are or will be sharing their own historical experiences.

Relevant Links:
Podhi Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podhi/

The Audio files for this project are archived at:
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com

Joseph Puentes
Email: NFU@JosephPuentes.com
leave a short message at: 206-339-4134

For Audio Pod casting ~ Check out Gcast
http://www.gcast.com/

~Peta de Aztlan

THE CHICANOS

The term Chicano is a term used in describing Mexican-Americans. It was originally used a derogatory label for Mexicans who had recently arrived in the United States. In the 1960’s, militant and Mexican Americans accepted it as a symbol of self-determination and ethnic pride. The term "Chicano" has since become a common synonym for the ethnic term Mexican-American among that ethnic minority (encyclopedia.com).

Since the Spanish conquest of the New World(approximately four hundred years ago), persons of the Mexican decent in the United States had been dominated by Americans of European decent. With the creation of organizations to facilitate US citizenship and to foster patriotism among Mexican Americans, this system of domination soon began to change (Grolier, 312).In 1929, many people came together to form the (LULAC) or , The League of Latin American citizens. This organization supported accommodation to middle class American standards (Grolier, 312).

After World War II, upon their return, Mexican American soldiers organized the American G.I. forum. According to Grolier, "they sought ethnic separation as well as parity with Anglo-American institutions, mainly through legal means (Grolier, 313)."

The Chicano movement (or movements) was born during the disorderly era of 1950-1970. Its initial driving force was from the charismatic preacher Reies Lopez Tijerina. In Northern Mexico, he fought to regain control of ancestral lands. He became involved in civil rights causes within six years and also became a cosponsor of the Poor People's March on Washington in 1967 (Grolier, 313).

On Palm Sunday in 1969, another leader named Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales proclaimed that the Chicano people of the southwest were Aztlan. This meant that they were in need of liberation from the dominant society through sacrifice and isolation. At first, this "utopian stand" won many supporters, but eventually they shrank to a small group of organized militants (Grolier, 313).

By "working within the system," Chicano efforts to gain influence began in 1958 with organizations such as the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA).

"By the 60’s and 70’s, Chicanos grew politically active, demanding equal employment opportunities and pressing for voter registration (encyclopedia.com)." Except for isolated successes however, with the heavy ethnic voter turnout and resulting election of Mexican-American candidates in Crystal City, Texas in 1963, the gains were few.

At times, the Chicano youth used more radical means of gaining influence. The Raza Unida political party (1970) won little national and regional support even under the leadership of Jose-Angel Gutierrez, The Raza Unida even had elected Chicano candidates to South Texas school boards and city councils. According to Grolier, "By the 1970’s and 1980’s, other Mexican Americans not identified with the movement served such high posts as governor (Grolier, 313)."

Cesar Chavez was another leader of the Chicano Movement whose policies were activist but peaceful. His policies were advanced by his organizational ability. One of the Chicano movement’s greatest successes were his voluntary efforts working illiterate farm laborers, liberal activists and pacifists, and college students into an effective struggle also referred to as "La Lucha," against powerful agribusiness interests (Grolier, 313)."

Chicanos or Hispanic Americans are a rapidly growing minority since approximately twenty years ago. A high birth rate and a high rate of immigration have worked together to make Hispanic Americans one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. "Between 1980 and 1990, the Hispanic population of the United States increased five times faster than the total population (World book on computer)."

Today, many experts predict that Hispanics will be the nation’s largest minority group by the mid 2020’s (World book on computer).

Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers

Cesar Estrada Chavez was born On March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona one of the most renowned and successful leaders of the farm workers' union was born. Cesar Chavez spent his youth in poverty, laboring in fields and moving throughout the Southwest with his parents and siblings. Cesar grew up with a fair amount of racism and in school was often punished for speaking in Spanish. After the depression struck, his father became unemployed and was discriminately swindled out of their land. Cesar’s education was cut short so that he could help support his family. Learning and education would later become a passion of his but discrimination would continue to haunt him throughout his life. He joined the military and there he also experienced injustices. In 1948, after serving in World War II, he married Helen Fabela.

In 1952 Cesar met Fred Ross, an organizer for the Community Service Organization. Cesar became involved with the group. As a Mexican-American who had not always been treated equally in life, Cesar saw this as his chance to battle racial and economic inequality. Cesar Chavez coordinated voter registration, rallies to end discrimination against Chicanos and new CSO chapters across California and Arizona. Chavez continued as the CSO director throughout the 1950’s. Cesar, however, really dreamed of creating an organization that would benefit suffering farm workers. Having experienced the farmer’s life, Cesar was well prepared and motivated to begin helping people overcome the suffering he had once endured. In 1962, after resigning as head of the CSO, he founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA). It was like starting all over again for the next couple of years and even though the process was very slow and tough, the NFWA began to build up a strong membership of farmers seeking equality and justice. Many of these farmers were Chicanos like Cesar who had been the victims of discrimination.

The movement gained a huge support during its frst strike against the Delano wine and grape growers. During this strike the CSO formed a strong coalition with other unions and merged to form the United Farm Workers and organization that now had millions of supporters fighting for the farm workers in the name of justice and equality. The UFW was able to achieve many of their goals and gain respect through non-violent protest. The UFW found a growing adversary in the Teamsters Union but in spite of the Teamsters strong influence, the UFW was still able to achieve many of its goals.

In the years that followed farmers with UFW contracts were receiving higher wages and benefits. Chavez continued to fight against economic and racial discrimination. He received Mexico’s highest award, the Aguila Azteca, for his work outside of Mexico as well as honors from the United States. On April 23, 1993, the 66year old Cesar Chavez died. Though the future of the movement was uncertain, the leadership fell to Arturo S. Rodriguez, the son-in-law of Chavez. The UFW continues to be successful in winning elections and negotiating farm workers’ contracts.

Many Chicanos have benefited from the work of the UFW. A large percentage of American farmers are of Mexican and Spanish decent. These people have been living in poor conditions with very little money. The UFW has helped thousands of Chicanos fight against economic suffering due to racism and prejudice.

Struggle at Present

The Chicano Movement during the 1960's and 1970's was an important revolution among the Mexican-american people. Though the leadership of Cesear Chavez as the president of the United Farm Workers Association greatly contributed to the success of these peoples, it did not rest solely on his leadership. Dolores C. Huerta, co-founder and Secretary-Treasurer of the UFWA and AFL-CIO, along with other leaders contributed to these movements. Boards such as the Democratic Socialist of America, Latinos of Choice, and FAI (Fairness in Media Reporting)were also essential to the success of the Chicano movement.

But, before we discuss the actions of the UFW and similar ethnic organizations, we must first examine the ideas and politics related to the Chicano people. The foundation of the Chicanos is both spiritual and political unity in a brotherhood proud of its origins as well as the struggle against the gringos as they form a powerful group, the Aztlan.

Perhaps one of the most important elements of their political platform is their strong nationalism. Their belief is that it can overcome many differing aspects of life including politics, economics, and religion. This community relies heavily on the support of its own people: the barrios,campos, pueblos, and ranchitos. This support is gained through the value of cultural education, values, as well as strong pride.

Though the Chicano people have overcome many obstacles, not all have been resolved. Even today, these individuals struggle for rights and respect that in such modern days has still not been obtained.Though these peoples have the same rights given by the government they are often prey to various predujices against the hispanic people. Hopefully this will be overcome as we enter the new millenium.

Works Cited

1. http://clnet.ucr.edu/research/chavez/bio/

2. http://www.msstate.edu/archives/history/neighbors/ch7.htm
3. http://www.ufw.org/history.htm (Cesar Chavez History)

4. http://www.ufw.org/cecchron.htm (Chronology)

5. http://cinet.ucr.edu/research/docs/struggle/aztlan.htm
~ Sunday Nov. 7, 1999: El Plan De Aztlan

6. http://www.ufw.org/ufw/dh.htm
~ Tuesday Nov. 9, 1999 Dolores Huerta

Biography

7. http://www.brownberets.org/dchicano.html
~ Nov.9, 1999 Definition of the Word: Chicano author- David Snachez

8. Encyclopedia.com, The Concise Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Thrid Edition, Copyright 1994, Columbia University Press

9. Grolier, Encyclopedia of Knowledge, copyright 1993, Grolier Inc. Danbury, Conn.

10. The World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, copyright 1997, World book Inc., Chicago, IL..

Links {see websource}
Chcano Murals
Brown Pride
United Farm Workers
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Websource: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/jmt81/myhomepage/

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