Often times, I’m asked about my identity. “What is a Chicana?” “What does Chicano/a mean?” In short, a Chicanx (gender neutral term for Chicano/a) is a Mexican-American, specifically, a Mexican-American acknowledging their indigenous roots. I am a Chicana, I am Mexican-American, with indigenous roots. But what does it mean to really be Chicanx?
Although the origin of the word “Chicano” is uncertain, it is believed that the word originated as a slang term of “Mexicano.” According to Philip D. Ortego, who was a professor at the University of Texas in El Paso, one theory of the origins of the term Chicano is that it comes from Nahuatl origin, hinting that the indigenous people pronounced “Mexicano” as “Me-shi-ca-noh.” Later, the first syllable was dropped and it become “Chicano” or “xicano” which holds another meaning.
An article by Sara Ramírez on the Chicano movement sums up what it means to be “Chicano” pretty well. “…To be Chicano is to affirm and proclaim historic, indigenous origins…” (http://immigrationtounitedstates.org/415-chicano-movement.html) To be Chicanx means to be this and more. Chicanx became better known in the Chicano movement.
The Chicano Movement, also known as “El Movimiento,” is a continuation of the Mexican-American civil rights movement which started in the 1940s. According to immigrationtounitedstates.org, the Chicano movement was more than just that. It was a movement where Mexican-Americans “took pride in their own identity, asserted their civil rights, and worked toward self-determination by improving their financial, social, and political circumstances.”
The Chicano movement was made up of several components, components that wanted educational, social, and political change in the United States. It was also occurring around the same time as the African-American civil rights movement. During this time period, many Chicanx and African-Americans fought alongside each other in the hopes of gaining more rights and equality for both groups of people.
One of the organizations that first gave recognition to the movement was the United Farm Worker’s Organization, created in 1962. Many people are familiar with César Chávez, and his goal of getting better rights for farm workers. This organization, which was a labor union, was formed by César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and Philip Vera Cruz. The United Farm Worker’s Organization fought for better working conditions, better wages, insurance, and other things for the farm workers. This movement was primarily lead by Chávez, but he worked alongside many Filipino farmworkers who also wanted more rights. Eventually, through boycotts, strikes, and marches, they accomplished their goal. Today, the United Farm Worker’s Organization continues to protect the rights of agricultural workers.
Another important component of the Chicano movement was the Chicano student movement. The Chicano student movement was created in response to the unfair treatment of Mexican-American students in schools. This segment of the Chicano movement was primarily made up of high school and college students that sought “educational equality, in their communities by asking for better textbooks, more Chicano teachers in their schools, better educational services, and classes that related to their own Chicana history and culture.”
(http://umich.edu/~ac213/student_projects07/latfem/latfem/whatisit.html)
On March 3, 1968, Chicanx students decided to take a stand and organized walkouts in East Los Angeles schools. Over 10,000 students walked out in protest to the unfair treatment they were receiving in their schools. Others formed groups such as the Brown Berets.
One very significant part of the Chicano movement was the formation of La Raza Unida Party in the early 1970s. In order to spark political change in the United States, Chicanx entered into politics. They formed a third party, which they called La Raza Unida Party. Sara Ramírez’s article says the reason for this party was “ to bring Mexican Americans’ values and needs under one political banner.” Although they failed in their efforts, La Raza Unida opened the door for Chicanx to get involved in politics.
Overall, the Chicano movement was a movement that not only fought against the inequalities Chicanx faced, but it gave Mexican-Americans a voice and pride in their culture and roots. It gave Chicanx a sense of belonging and worth, knowing that their voices could no longer be silenced
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