Chicano Studies

Settler Colonialism

the process in which groups from other

lands assume superiority in order to attempt to replace

existing Indigenous customs, governing systems, societal

norms, political frameworks, and ways of being; a persistent

social and political formation (99) (WHITEBEAR,

“RESISTING THE SETTLER GAZE)

Settler Gaze

According to the reading by Whitebear, its a tool constructed by settlers in order to create a set of constructs that settlers, expansionists, and gov’t agents use to maintain the imaginary of those subjected to settler colonial systems and the purpose of the settler

Genocide 

The intentional destruction of a group based on race, ethnicity, or religion. In the U.S., genocide occurred through massacres, forced removals, and cultural destruction of Native peoples. It aimed to eliminate Indigenous identity and claim land for settlers. It’s central to understanding U.S. nation-building.

Gloria Anzaldúa (Arrebato)

According to lecture, Gloria is a chicana feminist writer and theorist known for Borderlands. “Arrebato” describes a transformative spiritual awakening, Anzaldúa used it to explain healing, identity shifts and reclaiming power, her work reshaped feminist and queer theory. “I change myself I change the World”

Toypurina 

A tongva (indigenous people of los angeles), medicine woman who led a 1785 rebellion against spanish colonizers. She opposed the mission system’s violence and forced conversion of her people, her resistance symbolizes early indigenous defiance against colonization. 

Manifest Destiny

A 19th century belief that the U.S. was destined by God to expand westward across North America. It justified wars, displacement of native peoples and the annexation of mexico’s northern landds, The idea reinforced white supremacy.

U.S. -Mexico War (1846-1848)

A conflict over territory after the U.S. annexed texas, the war ended after forcing Mexico to give up nearly half its land. It transformed millions of mexicans into second-class U.S. residents overnight. 

1824 Chumash Revolt

A rebellion by the chumash people in california, they rose against the brutalty of spanish missionaries and soldiers, showed resistance to the mission system.

Mexican Repatriation/Mass Deporations (1930s)

Durning the great depression, over 1 million mexicans and mexican americans were forcibly removed from the U.S. many were U.S. citizens. The gov’t blamed them for job shortages an economic hardship. Exposed deep racial discrimination

Jaime Alanís García 

Activist who works to document and defend the rights of undocumented workers. His advocacy highlights how immigration enforcement impacts local families, connects past injustices to current struggles. 

Carlos Roberto Montoya

An educatior who explores Chicano identity and indigenous heritage, throught visual art montoya challenges sterotypes and colonial histories. His contributions elevate Chicano culture and political awareness.

ICE Raids Central Coast

A series of immigration enforcement actions targeting undocumented workers in California, these raids created fear and instability among latino communities.

Latino Threat Narrative 

A sterotype portraying latinos, especialy immigrants as threats to U.S. culture and security. It’s used to justify harsh immigration laws and border militarization. 

Precarity

A condition of insecurity caused by unstable work, housing or legal status. Many immigrants and low-wage workers lie in precarity due to structual inequalities. How capitalism and colonialism produce vulnerability.

Treaty of Guadalipe Hidalgo (1848)

The treaty that ended the US-Mexico War. It transferred half of mexico territory to the U.S. and promised to protect the rights of mexicans living there but those promises were largely broken.

Indio Muerto/Hutash Street 

Meaning Dead Indian, is a street name in Santa Barbara tied to colonial violence and racism. Activists pushed to rename it Hutash Honoring a Chumash creation figure. 

Mexican revolution (1910-1920)

A Major social and political upheavel that overhtre the dictatorship of porfirio díaz. It aimed to restore land and rights to peasants and indigenous peoples. 

Hijas de Cuahtémoc

A chicana feminist org founded in 1970s that fought sexism within the chicano movement and beyond. The group reclaimed indigenous and feminist heritage.

Madison Grant (The Passing of the Great Race)

A 1916 book by eugenist Madison Grant promoting white supremacy and racial hierarchy. Grant argued for restricting immigration to preserve “Nordic” purity. His ideas influenced racist laws and even Nazi Ideology. 

Lemon Grove Incident (1931)

The first successful school desegregation case in U.S. history. mexican american parenrts in lemon grove, california, challenegd a segregation “mexican school” the court ruled in their favor, stating segregation had no legal basis. it set an early precedent for brown v board of Education.

Mendez v Westminister

Challenged the segregation of mexican american students in public schools. Gonzalo and felicitas mendez sued several school districts for denying their children acess to white schools. resulted in the desegregation of california schools and laid the groundwork for Brown v Board of education.

Sleepy Lagoon Case 

In 1942, the wrongful arrest and conviction of young mexican american men in Los Angeles for the death of jose diáz. The media portrayed the defendants as gang members. The case highlighted deep discrimination against mexican americans in the justice system 

Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee

Formed to support the young men convicted in the sleepy lagoon case, led by activists like luisa moreno and josefina fierro de bright. Worked to raise awareness about racial injustice and secure legal defense. Led to the eventual overturning of the conviction.

Bracero Program

1942: manpower shortage was declared as a result of WWII Able-bodied men would work as contracted laborers in the U.S., At least five million men were involved, Advertised as an opportunity to earn money and learn skills. Lived in temporary housing camps and barracks provided at labor sites Abolished in 1964. Showed inequalities between mexican laborers and american workers (movie harvest of lonliness)

Ernesto Galarza

exposed exploitation within the bracero program, documented the abuses faced by migrant workers, key advocate for farmworkers rights and education. 

Harvest of Loneliness (film)

documentary explores the bracero program through interviews and historical footage. It reveals the emotional and economic hardships braceros endured while working in the U.S. The film gave a voice to a generation of exploited Mexican laborers.

Tim Hernandez

Author of All they Will Call you, uncovered the identities of victims from the 1948 Los Gatos plane crash.

Jose Sanchez Valdivia

One of the 28 mexican workers killed in the 1948 Los Gatos plane crashsymbolizing the erasure of Mexican laborers’ humanity. He became one of the many remembered through Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee” and Tim Hernandez’s research.

Luis Miranda Cuevas

Another victim of the 1948 Los Gatos plane crash, Luis Miranda Cuevas was one of the braceros being deported at the time. Like others, his name was left out of early reports that only identified the American crew. His death symbolizes the invisibility of Mexican migrant workers in U.S. society

Frank and Bobbie Atkinson

This couple helped document and memorialize the victims of the Los Gatos plane crash. Their advocacy led to the creation of a memorial site listing all victims by name. Their actions reflected compassion and a commitment to justice for forgotten migrant workers.

Deportee Song (Woody Guthrie, Martin Hoffman, Pete Seeger)

Written after the Los Gatos plane crash, this protest song criticized the treatment of Mexican farmworkers who died unnamed. Guthrie’s lyrics and Seeger’s performance gave voice to their dignity and humanity. The song became an anthem for labor rights and migrant justice. It helped raise awareness about racism and inequality in America

Guadalupe Ramirez Lara

A Mexican woman involved in the Los Gatos plane crash remembrance, she worked to bring recognition to the forgotten victims. Her story highlights the resilience of the Mexican community and their demand for justice. She symbolizes the families’ fight to preserve memory and dignity

Ramon Paredes Gonzalez

One of the victims of the Los Gatos plane crash, Gonzalez’s story represents the many braceros who labored and died without recognition. His name’s recovery through later activism restored dignity to him and others. His inclusion in memorials symbolizes the ongoing struggle for migrant workers’ rights.

Casimira Navarro Lopez

victim of the Los Gatos plane crash, she was among the few women on the flight. Her death emphasizes that migrant labor and deportation also affected Mexican women.

Luisa Moreno

Transcontinental Latina Union Organizer

Originally from Guatemala (1907-1992)

First Latina vice president of a major

union, the United Cannery, Agricultural,

Packing, and Allied Workers of America

(UCAPAWA)

Co-organized El Congreso de Pueblos de

Hablan Española in 1939, the first national

civils rights assembly for Latinos

Josefina Fierro

Transborder Activist Active during the 1930s and 40s Advocated for the needs of low income and non-bilingual Mexicans Co-organized El Congreso de Pueblos de Hablan Española in 1939 Voluntary left the United States and self-exiled to Mexico in 1948 Sleepy Lagoon trial in 1942

Emma Tenayuca

Organizer and Educator Organized 12,000 pecan shellers in San Antonio in 1938 Devoted her later years to teaching and helping migrant students to read Leading member of the the Workers Alliance of American and the Communist Party of Texas

Esperanza Quintero

A Mexican American miner’s wife and activist featured in Salt of the Earth (1954), she represented women’s vital role in labor struggles. Her character fought for equality, dignity, and workers’ rights. The film portrayed her courage and leadership in a male-dominated society

Salt of the Earth Strike (1951-1952)

A miners’ strike in New Mexico led by Mexican American workers demanding better pay and conditions at the Empire Zinc Company. Women played key roles on the picket lines after men were banned by court order. The event inspired the film Salt of the Earth, later blacklisted during the Cold War. It remains a powerful symbol of labor and gender justice.

Operation Wtback (1954)

A U.S. government campaign that deported over one million Mexican immigrants, many of whom were legal residents or citizens. It was meant to curb illegal immigration but caused widespread fear and family separations. The operation reflected deep racial prejudice in immigration enforcement

Cold War / Red Scare / Mine-Mill Workers Union

During the Cold War (1940s–1950s), fear of communism spread across the U.S., known as the Red Scare. The Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers Union was accused of being communist because it fought for Mexican American and minority labor rights. Many union leaders were blacklisted or arrested. This event showed how anti-communist sentiment was used to silence social and labor movements. Relates to Salt of The Earth film in class.

Intersectional Justice

Intersectional justice recognizes how race, gender, class, and sexuality overlap to shape experiences of oppression. Examples in “salt of the earth” because of esperanza’s fight for both women and works immigrant rights.

Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta is a Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with César Chávez in 1962. She organized grape boycotts and fought for farmworkers’ rights and fair pay. Her slogan “Sí, se puede” became a symbol of empowerment.

Intergenerational Activism

Intergenerational activism involves different age groups—youth, adults, and elders—working together for social change. It has been important in movements like the Chicano movement and immigrant rights campaigns.It strengthens community ties and ensures lasting impact.

Paula Crisostomo

Puala Cristosomo is best known for her involvement in organizing and leading the 1968 East Los Angeles high school walkouts. In the movie “The Walkout,” she is a senior in East LA high school when she began to organize her students against the unequal conditions in LAUSD high schools. Her story is one of many female activists and leaders within the Chicano movement that deserve to be more recognized.

Grassroots Leadership and Activism

Grassroots activism starts from local communities rather than top-down organizations. It involves everyday people organizing for issues like workers’ rights, education, or housing. This approach empowers marginalized voices to demand change directly. It was central to the Chicano Movement and other civil rights struggles.

Sal Castro

An activist and teacher known for East LA walkouts, encouraged Chicano students to stand up against unequal conditions in their schools. He helped to organize and support student-led protests which are key in the Chicano movement (In-class film Walkout). 

Counter-Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO)

An FBI surveillance operation that targeted civil rights organizations to disrupt their efforts and create division within the movement.This government interference weakened many Chicano activist groups and showed how the government tried to suppress political power during the 1960s.

Brown Berets

a Chicano activist group formed in 1967 in East L.A. They focused on issues like police brutality, education reform, and Chicano pride. Inspired by the Black Panthers, they organized protests and community programs. The group symbolized militant resistance and unity in the fight for equality.

Chicano Moratorium and Ruben Salazar

The Chicano Moratorium was a 1970 protest in East L.A. against the Vietnam War, which disproportionately affected Mexican Americans. Journalist Rubén Salazar, who covered the movement, was killed by police during the event. His death became a rallying point for Chicano activists. The Moratorium represented both anti-war resistance and the demand for justice at home.

Gay Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU)

Founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, GLLU created a safe space for LGBTQ+ Latinos. The group addressed both homophobia and racism, promoting acceptance within Latino and queer communities. They organized cultural events and AIDS awareness campaigns. GLLU helped bring visibility to queer Latinos during a time of exclusion.

Lydia Otero

A Mexican American Queer author whose work highlighted queer activism, intersections of Mexican American history, and urban renewal in the southwest. Specifically in her book. L.A. Interchanges: A Brown and Queer Memoir, she expresses her experience as a queer activist and a blue collar worker in LA. She was very politically active as she was in Lesbians of color and GLLU.

Lesbians of Color

Lesbians of Color formed activist and cultural groups in the 1970s–1980s to address racism in white feminist spaces and sexism in communities of color. They created networks for empowerment, safety, and political action. These movements emphasized intersectional feminism. Their work expanded the meaning of equality and inclusion in both LGBTQ+ and racial justice movements.

Critical Race Theory / Counter-Storytelling

Critical Race Theory (CRT) emerged in the 1980s as a framework to examine how racism is embedded in U.S. laws and institutions. Counter-storytelling is a CRT method that uses personal narratives to challenge dominant racial myths. All They Will Call You, written by Tim Z. Hernandez, practices counter-storytelling as a tool to humanize the deportees who passed in the 1948 plane crash in Los Gatos Canyon and their families to give a voice to those who have been silenced.

Unidad (film and newsletter)

Unidad was a film and newsletter created by activists to unite Chicano and Latino communities around issues of social justice. It shared stories of organizing, pride, and cultural identity. The name means “unity,” reflecting the goal of solidarity among oppressed groups. Unidad helped spread awareness and strengthen community ties during the Chicano Movement.

Coral Alonso and Emma de Paz

Coral Alonso and Emma de Paz were Chicana activists and community leaders involved in feminist and labor struggles. They worked to uplift women’s voices within the Chicano Movement. Their leadership emphasized gender equality alongside racial and class justice. They represent the often-overlooked contributions of Chicana women in activism.

Corky Gonzales / Yo Soy Joaquín (Poem)

Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales was a Chicano activist, boxer, and poet from Denver. His 1967 poem “Yo Soy Joaquín” became a manifesto for Chicano pride and identity. It tells the story of Mexican American struggle and resilience through history. Gonzales helped define the cultural and political spirit of the Chicano Movement.