Chicano History, Art, and Activism: Key Terms and Cultural Symbols

Pre-Columbian

Refers to the time before Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas (before 1492). This period includes advanced Indigenous civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca.

Mesoamerica / Mesoamerican

Geographic and cultural region extending from central Mexico through Central America, home to civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec.

Aztlan

Mythical ancestral homeland of the Aztec people; said to be located in the north.

Huitzilopochtli

Aztec god of the sun and war.

Tlaloc

Aztec rain god associated with fertility and agriculture.

Quetzalcoatl

Feathered serpent deity; god of fertility, wind, and knowledge.

Frito Bandito

A 1960s-70s cartoon mascot used to advertise Fritos corn chips, depicted as a stereotypical Mexican bandit.

UFW Flag (United Farm Workers Flag)

Red flag with a black Aztec eagle, designed by César Chávez and Richard Chávez.

Xilonen

Aztec goddess of young corn and fertility.

Coatlicue

Aztec earth goddess, 'She Who Wears a Serpent Skirt.' Mother of gods including Huitzilopochtli.

Bracero Program (1942-1964)

Agreement between the U.S. and Mexico allowing Mexican men to work temporarily in U.S. agriculture and railroads.

Immigration and Nationality Act (1965)

Ended national origin quotas and allowed more Latin American and Asian immigration.

Melesio [Mel] Casas, Humanscape 62 (1970)

Part of his Humanscapes series critiquing mass media stereotypes of Mexican Americans.

Luis C. González, Fiesta del Maíz (red) (1979)

Depicts the central role of corn (maíz) in Indigenous and Mexican culture.

Yolanda López, Nuestra Madre (1981-88)

Reimagines the Virgin of Guadalupe as an active, strong Chicana woman.

Yolanda López, Who's the Illegal Alien, Pilgrim? (1981)

Features an Aztec warrior holding immigration papers, confronting colonial narratives.

Luis Jiménez, Cruzando El Rio Bravo [Border Crossing] (1987)

Sculpture of a father carrying his child across the Rio Grande.

Machismo

Male dominance, strength, and pride.

Marianismo

Idealized female purity modeled after the Virgin Mary.

Waves of Feminism

1. First (19th-early 20th century): Suffrage and legal rights. 2. Second (1960s-80s): Workplace, sexuality, and equality. 3. Third (1990s): Intersectionality and diversity. 4. Fourth (2010s-present): Digital activism and inclusivity.

Comisión Femenil Mexicana Nacional (CFMN)

Founded in 1970 to advocate for Mexican American women's rights.

La Malinche

Indigenous woman who served as interpreter for Hernán Cortés.

Retablo

Devotional folk art, often painted on tin or wood, depicting saints or miracles.

Tamalada

Communal gathering for making tamales, often around holidays.

Vatican II (Second Vatican Council, 1962-65)

Reforms modernized Catholic practices, emphasizing community and lay participation.

Católicos por La Raza

1969 Chicano Catholic group that protested racial inequities in the Church.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones (Nov 1-2).

Ofrenda

Altar built during Día de los Muertos, decorated with photos, candles, and offerings.

Dolores del Río

Mexican actress who became one of Hollywood's first Latina stars.

Ester Hernández, La Virgen de Guadalupe Defendiendo los Derechos de los Xicanos (1975)

Depicts the Virgin holding a rifle, protecting Chicano rights.

Yolanda López, Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe (1978)

Self-portrait reimagining herself as Guadalupe in running shoes.

Yolanda López, Margaret F. Stewart: Our Lady of Guadalupe (1978)

Depicts an elder woman as Guadalupe.

Yolanda López, Guadalupe: Victoria F. Franco (1978)

Part of the same series, celebrating real women as sacred.

John Valadez, The Wedding (1985)

Realistic mural-style painting of a Chicano wedding scene.

The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill)

Provided education and housing benefits to WWII veterans.

The Chicano Moratorium (1970)

Mass protest in East Los Angeles against the Vietnam War and the deaths of Chicanos in combat.

Rubén Salazar

Mexican American journalist killed during the Chicano Moratorium.

Cuauhtémoc

Last Aztec emperor, known for resistance against Spanish conquest.

El Malcriado

Newspaper of the United Farm Workers (UFW).

Frank Romero, Death of Rubén Salazar (1986)

Depicts the chaos of the 1970 Chicano Moratorium and Salazar's death.

Luis Jiménez, Man on Fire (1969)

Fiberglass sculpture showing a man engulfed in flames.

Ester Hernández, Sun Mad (1982)

Parody of Sun-Maid raisin box, showing a skeleton instead of a woman.

Elizabeth Sisco, Louis Hock, and David Avalos, Welcome to America's Finest Tourist Plantation (1988)

Billboard installation highlighting San Diego's immigrant labor exploitation.

Salvador Roberto Torres, Viva la Raza (1969)

Mural promoting Chicano pride and unity.