Chicano Movement Research Paper

Universities served as political battlegrounds for the Chicano movement in which students and faculty fought in to raise awareness for the lack of representation of their culture and identity in both the student body and the curriculum. In page four of the article titled, “The Origins and History of the Chicano Movement” by Roberto Rodriguez, he explains, “...colleges and universities became not simply focal points of protest but also recruitment grounds for the different movements.” As more Chicano students were admitted into the university, it sparked both a political and intellectual movement which would later result in the development of the discipline. As the students advocated for civil and human rights, they also questioned and brought …show more content…
In the article titled “The Birth of Chicano Studies” by Sandy Banks, it describes, “The counselors at Belmont High School steered Charles (Carlos Muo, Jr.) away from college prep and toward vocational ed, even though he was an honor student.” Many people like him experienced institutionalized discrimination because of their heritage. Through the Chicano movement and other events leading up to it, the community was able to make strides in higher …show more content…
In El Plan de Santa Barbara, they write, “Chicanismo involves a crucial distinction in political consciousness between a Mexican American (or Hispanic) and a Chicano mentality.” To me, it felt like a radicalization of the nationalistic ideas of the Chicano Movement by creating an “us versus them” situation. The plan continues by describing, “The Mexican American or Hispanic is a person who lacks self-respect and pride in one's ethnic and cultural background. Thus, the Chicanos act with confidence and with a range of alternatives in the political world.” At first, I wondered how creating such a radical distinction would aid in their cause to unite the people for liberation. There are already differences in the movement itself such as its meaning, goals, and perspectives towards gender and sexuality and so I thought that by dividing Mexican-Americans and Chicanos, it would only hinder the progress towards change. However, I learned that it was through this radicalization that major changes were made. To them, the term “Mexican-American” describes one who is content with their situation and willing to assimilate and utilize the system. I understand now that to achieve the future and liberation that many people in the movement pursue, they need to liberate themselves from assimilation and the system while embracing their cultural

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