Example Of Chicano History Essay

The term, ‘Chicano’ refers to Mexicans who were brought up in the United States of America. Chicano seems to be derived from the word, ‘Mexicano’ and it became famous during Chicano movement of 1960’s, especially among Mexicans as they wanted and preferred to have a new identity. This paper intends to discuss the Chicano history and several other related aspects of the subject matter.
United States of America has witnessed a large number of public protests, youth movements, and political protests against various discriminations including racial, economical and social inequalities. The decade of 1960 was a decade of turbulence in the history of America. Several civil rights Movements, including Mexican American movement emerged in this decade. The main motive of Chicano movement is said to be empowering Chicano community. This was one of the most prominent civil rights movements that lodged its strong presence and affected the society.
Chicano youngsters participated in this movement in huge numbers, but the movement was not limited to youth only. Americans used to use the term Chicano, in a derogatory way for the Mexican migrants and their children. When these kids grew up, they refused to hear anything derogatory that their fathers used to listen and tolerate from Americans and their anger burst out over a period of time. Mexican American youngsters started revolting against atrocity of Americans, and their efforts were converted into Chicano movement.
The motive of this movement was to address a larger number of issues as to get voting as well as other political rights, educational rights, and rights for the farm workers along with their intervention into the policy making. This movement was huge, and a large number of Mexican Americans participated in this movement. Clash between activists of this movement and police garnered further support for this movement and its support base was expanded from youngsters to every Mexican American, who was at American soil.
Chicano movement started gaining huge momentum once the Second World War was over, and Mexican American War veterans returned from the war. They gave a new oomph to the movement by forming new Chicano groups as AGIF. This group became famous when it raised the issue of a Mexican American who was refused a funeral in his own hometown, after he lost life in Second World War, fighting for the America.
MALDEF was another prominent group that took this movement at next level by raising some revolutionary issues. This group used to believe in the legal system of the America and started litigation on various issues. Several other groups like CFMN were made who especially looked after the civil and other rights of women. Some groups focused on rights of labors, and farm workers.
The Chicano movement was fought at several fronts. Activists fought it on the streets but, on the other hand, it was also fought in the courts. American courts recognized the civil rights of Mexican Americans in Several cases and granted them reliefs. Some very favorable decisions from American courts further encouraged activists to fight, and they were revitalized. Chicano movement is considered to be the biggest factor that introduced 14th amendment in the constitution of America. This amendment was intended to give equal civil rights to Mexican Americans as well as several other groups.
Reies Lopez Tijerina was one of tallest leaders of this movement who claimed right on lands and worked for the rights of farm workers. Hector Garcia was another big name of this movement who contributed substantially in this movement by raising some new issues. Rodolfo corky and Cesar Chavez were other prominent leaders of Chicano movement who devoted their life for Chicano movement. These leaders spearheaded this movement and succeeded just because of their struggle, devotion and hard work. Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Oakland, phoenix, san Diego were some main centers of this movement where people were very much organized and devoted for their rights.
Having observed, the abovementioned analysis of the Chicano movement, it can be concluded that this movement was one of biggest civil rights movements of the American history. Thousands of youngsters, workers, and women fought for their civil rights, and they got their rights after a long struggle. The fight was done on the streets as well as in the courts of America. The Chicano community still feels that they require more rights, and they keep raising their voices from time to time. The movement and the fight of their forefathers keep reminding the Mexican Americans about the struggle that their ancestors did for the better life of coming generations.