Chicano politics final

A political and cultural identity adopted by Mexican Americans, especially during the 1960s-70s, to assert pride in their Indigenous and mestizo roots and resist cultural colonialism. It signifies empowerment and resistance.

Chicano

A foundational 1969 document that called for Chicano Studies programs, self-determination, and student activism. Drafted at UCSB, it united students under the MEChA organization and outlined a vision for Chicano liberation.

El Plan de Santa Barbara

The original peoples of a region. In Chicano context, it refers to Native peoples of Mexico and the Southwest U.S., such as the Mexica and Yaqui, who are often central to Chicano identity and resistance narratives.

Indigenous

A national boycott initiated by the United Farm Workers in the 1960s to protest poor working conditions and low wages for farmworkers. It brought awareness to the exploitation of mainly Mexican laborers.

Grape Boycott

A park in Logan Heights, San Diego, claimed by the community in 1970 through a peaceful occupation after the government broke promises to build a park. Known for its murals that celebrate Chicano identity, resistance, and Aztlán.

Chicano Park

Founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the UFW organized farmworkers for better wages and conditions using non-violent methods like boycotts, strikes, and fasts.

United Farm Workers Union (UFW)

Mass student protests in the late 1960s where Chicano/a students left schools to demand culturally relevant curricula, bilingual education, and an end to racism in schools. Mainly in LA

Walk-outs

A leader of La Alianza, who fought to restore Mexican and Indigenous land rights in New Mexico. He invoked the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and took direct action, including court house takeovers.

Reies Lopez Tijerina

A former boxer and poet who wrote "I Am Joaquín," a foundational poem in Chicano literature. He led the Crusade for Justice and called for Chicano self-determination and cultural pride.

Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez

Co-founder of the UFW, civil rights leader, and strategist behind the slogan “Sí, se puede.” She played a crucial role in organizing farmworkers and advocating for labor rights and gender equality.

Dolores Huerta

Farmworker, labor leader, and civil rights activist. Co-founded the UFW and championed non-violence, fasts, and boycotts to improve farmworker conditions.

Cesar Chavez

A powerful religious and cultural symbol combining Catholic and Indigenous elements. She is seen as the protector of the poor and oppressed, and is central in Chicano spirituality and identity.

La Virgen de Guadalupe

A method of non-violent protest, often used by Cesar Chavez, where one abstains from food to draw attention to injustice and demonstrate spiritual strength.

Fast

A person of mixed Indigenous and Spanish ancestry. Most Mexicans and Chicanos are mestizos, and this term reflects the fusion of cultures and histories.

Mestizo

The Nahuatl-speaking Indigenous people who formed the Aztec Empire. Chicano activists often reclaim Mexica identity to reconnect with pre-colonial roots and resist colonial erasure.

Mexica

A mythical ancestral homeland of the Aztecs/Mexica, believed by Chicanos to be in the American Southwest. It represents Indigenous roots and the reclaiming of land and culture.

Aztlán

A Chicano political party founded in the 1970s to challenge Democratic and Republican dominance and promote Mexican American representation and empowerment in local and state government

La Raza Unida Party

A concept from Nahuatl, meaning “in-between space.” Used to describe the liminal experience of Chicanos caught between two cultures—Anglo and Mexican—often resulting in identity conflict and transformation.

Nepantlismo

A collective cultural and political spirit that emphasizes resistance, Indigenous pride, community empowerment, and rejection of assimilation.

Chicano Ethos

The process or ideology of racial and cultural mixing, especially between Indigenous and European peoples. It is central to Latin American and Chicano identity, but can also be critiqued for masking colonial violence.

Mestizaje

A political and cultural movement that values Indigenous heritage. In Chicanismo, it is used to reclaim Indigenous identity and resist Eurocentric narratives.

Indigenismo

The awareness of one's social, cultural, and political oppression as a Chicano/a, and the awakening to action through education, activism, and cultural pride.

Chicano Consciousness

According to Ignacio M. Garcia, "Mexican American" refers to those who often seek assimilation into U.S. society and emphasize American identity, in contrast to Chicanos, who emphasize resistance and Indigenous roots.

Mexican American (according to Garcia)

The practice of a powerful country dominating others politically, economically, and culturally. In Chicano studies, the U.S. is often viewed as an imperial power in Latin America and over Chicano communities.

Imperialism

A PBS documentary that tells the story of Mexican American civil rights, focusing on Hernandez v. Texas (1954), which challenged discrimination in jury selection and led to greater legal recognition of Latinos.

A Class Apart

The act of intentionally breaking unjust laws or policies in a non-violent way to protest and bring about change. Used by many Chicano leaders inspired by Dr. King and Gandhi

Civil Disobedience

A strategy used by Cesar Chavez and the UFW, based on moral and spiritual principles that reject violence as a means of protest and instead promote peaceful resistance.

Non-violence

An ideology that maintains white dominance over other racial groups. Chicanos resist this through cultural pride, political activism, and education reform.

White Supremacy

The domination of one culture over another, often through language, education, and media. Chicano movements resist this by reclaiming language, Indigenous knowledge, and history.

Cultural Colonialism

Signed in 1848, it ended the Mexican-American War and ceded over half of Mexico’s territory to the U.S. It promised to protect land rights of Mexicans in the new U.S. territory, but those promises were largely broken.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

A 1994 California ballot initiative that sought to deny undocumented immigrants access to public services. It was seen as a racist, anti-immigrant policy and sparked mass Latino protests.

Proposition 187

A court case in California that ended school segregation of Mexican American children, setting legal precedent for Brown v. Board of Education

Mendez v. Westminster (1947)

The Supreme Court ruled that undocumented children have the right to public education, based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Plyler v. Doe (1982)

A landmark law that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. It later helped protect Latino and Chicano voting rights, especially in areas with histories of suppression.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

A founder of La Raza Unida Party and a major Chicano activist. He organized political campaigns to empower Mexican Americans and fight systemic racism.

Jose Angel Gutierrez

Short for La Alianza Federal de Mercedes, this group, led by Reies Lopez Tijerina, sought to reclaim Mexican land grants in New Mexico based on Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

La Alianza

A large anti-Vietnam War protest in 1970 in East L.A., where Chicanos protested disproportionate Mexican American deaths in the war. Journalist Ruben Salazar was killed during the event.

Chicano Moratorium

A journalist who reported on Chicano issues. He was killed during the Chicano Moratorium, becoming a martyr for the movement.

Ruben Salazar

A term for figures like Joaquín Murrieta, who resisted oppression and became folk heroes among Mexican Americans. Seen as early symbols of resistance to Anglo injustice.

Chicano Social Bandit

Establishes the legislative branch (Congress). Important in understanding how laws are made and how representation affects Chicano communities.

Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution

Establishes the executive branch (the presidency). Relevant in analyzing executive orders and policies affecting Latinos.

Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution

The first Latina U.S. Senator, representing Nevada. She is a symbol of increasing Latino political power in national politics.

Katheryn Cortez Masto

California’s first Latino U.S. Senator, appointed in 2021. He advocates for immigration reform, voting rights, and Latino representation.

Alex Padilla

The first Latina Supreme Court Justice, known for her advocacy of civil rights, education equity, and defense of the marginalized.

Sonia Sotomayor

A group of progressive Congressmembers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who fight for racial justice, immigrant rights, and economic equity.

The Squad and AOC

A court case that challenged at-large elections which diluted Latino voting power. Led to the adoption of district-based elections to ensure Latino representation.

Gomez v. City of Watsonville (1988)

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one group. It has been used to suppress Latino political power through racial gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering

Guarantees equal protection under the law. Basis for many civil rights victories, including Plyler v. Doe and Mendez v. Westminster.

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a non-profit that promotes Latino civic engagement, voter registration, and leadership development

NALEO