Abstract
A Chicano is an individual of Mexican descent who lives in the United States. The term “Chicano” comes from the Nahuatl word “Meshicanos” and originally referred to the indigenous people of Mexico. In the 1960s, individuals with Mexican-American heritage adopted the term Chicano to assert their cultural identity and emphasize their political viewpoints.
Initially, some Mexican-Americans opposed being called Chicanos because they believed it was a derogatory term used by non-Mexicans to demean them. However, many Mexican-Americans now fully embrace the Chicano label as it represents cultural pride and political empowerment.
The Chicano Movement, which arose in the 1960s and 1970s, aimed to confront concerns of civil rights, education, job prospects, and representation for Mexican-Americans.
Chicano, a term sometimes used interchangeably with Mexican-American, is now being ideologically distinguished by certain Chicanos. Previously, Chicano carried negative connotations that will not be further explained in this context. However, currently many individuals attribute mostly positive significance to this word.
The term Chicano is a powerful identifier that serves to define, unite, and empower the Chicano community. In the past, these individuals often faced neglect and disregard, being categorized simply as one among several oppressed nationalities.
In the 1960s, marginalized Chicano people experienced a significant rise in numbers and established their own movement to combat their unique oppression. This movement united individuals who identified as Mexican-Americans, Hispanos, Latin Americans, or Spanish-speaking individuals and allied with the Afro-American and student movements. As a result, there was a emergence of newfound self-identity and revolutionary ideas.
The terms “La Raza” and “Chicano” have gained greater acceptance among individuals as a means of self-identification, reflecting an emerging sense of pride, dignity, and commitment to advocating for equality, improved living conditions, and freedom (Pollack, 1971). Nonetheless, despite this positive self-perception, misconceptions and unfavorable connotations persist regarding the identity as well as the cultural, social, and political dimensions associated with being Chicano. It is imperative to reshape the portrayal of Chicanos in mainstream media in order to establish a clear definition of the Chicano community.
According to Cavendish (2011), negative stereotypes in the media have perpetuated misconceptions about Chicanos. These stereotypes portray Chicana women as seductive temptresses or struggling mothers, and Chicano men as gangsters, low-riders, or drug traffickers. This misrepresentation affects their identity as a resilient working class that embraces their own culture.
Despite the negative portrayal of Chicanos in mass media, it is essential to avoid using these stereotypes as a definition for them. Numerous Chicano families are fully assimilated into American society and have minimal connections to Mexico. Consequently, Chicanos strive to resist these biased portrayals in the media and seek fair representation that truly reflects their community. This is significant because there remains a misconception about their authentic identity.
There is a widespread misconception that all Mexicans are undocumented immigrants. Additionally, confusion often arises between being Chicano and Mexican, leading to the mistaken belief that all Mexicans are immigrants. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the distinction within the Mexican community between Chicanos and Mexican immigrants.
Chicanos may feel separated from Mexican immigrants, leading to the use of offensive language such as “border brothers” or “wetbacks” to describe them.
The sense of segregation emerges from a collision of identity and miscommunication among diverse groups, leading to gang violence between Nortenos and Surenos in California’s Bay Area (Madrid, 2005). This strife is also apparent in their mutual labeling. The term “wetback” has been casually employed, not only by society but even within the Chicano community, occasionally without ill intent but as a means to characterize or recognize someone.
Immigrants frequently use words like “pocho” and “gringo” to describe Chicanos, but these terms worsen the separation between Chicanos and Mexican immigrants. The main difference between these two groups is their interpersonal communication skills. In places like stores, Mexican immigrants may struggle to communicate with salespeople and may ask for help. They might turn to a Chicano for assistance, but many Chicanos do not speak Spanish fluently.
This disappoints Chicanos and makes them feel bad more often, not because they are unable to help, but because they can’t speak the language. Many Chicanos find themselves caught in the middle of two worlds (Madrid, 2005) as they are proud of their roots while also lacking a full understanding of their own culture (Madrid, 2005). It’s one thing to be judged and looked down upon by white people; it’s an even greater insult when someone from your own ethnicity does it.
Despite the differentiation between Chicanos and Mexican immigrants, negative perceptions of Chicanos persist among Americans due to certain associations. Many Americans associate the term Chicano with poverty, lack of skills, limited education, ignorance, and backwardness (Sinmadera, 2011).
Furthermore, U.S. newspapers popularized the belief that Chicanos or Mexicans hailed from a nation dominated by unscrupulous and amoral bandits. This propaganda deeply affected Mexican-Americans who were born in the United States. They were hesitant to align themselves with recent immigrants and made efforts to distinguish themselves as Spanish Americans or Early Californians, rather than being labeled as undesirable Mexicans or Chicanos.
This denial from many native-born Mexican Americans has impeded the acceptance of newcomers into American mainstream society (Sinmadera, 2011). Nonetheless, there have been improvements over time; yet, misunderstandings regarding self-image continue to exist for Chicanos.
Chicanos’ self-image remains misunderstood as positive aspects of their background are transformed into negative misconceptions. While Chicanos take great pride in their heritage, the dominant society in the United States has deliberately undermined past achievements and promoted negative misconceptions through the educational system and mass media (Sinmadera, 2011). As a result, Chicano heritage has been distorted and neglected, greatly affecting their self-image.
Chicanos have faced unfair stereotypes, being labeled as troublesome and dependent on welfare. There is a misconception that being Chicano means being irresponsible and engaged in criminal activities. However, this perception stems from a lack of understanding about the root causes of societal problems. Regrettably, racism and discriminatory practices in society have associated the term Chicano with negativity. Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand that these negative views are a consequence of external factors rather than inherent traits of Chicanos themselves (Sinmadera, 2011).
The mistreatment of economically and socially deprived Mexican immigrants and other poor individuals of Mexican ancestry has historically led to social problems. These issues have not only divided the minority group but have also stigmatized their proud heritage and identity, which is reflected in the term Chicano. Although the term Chicano has acquired negative connotations over time, it now holds positive meanings for many. For many, being Chicano means acknowledging that they are no longer exclusively Mexican.
Despite their integration into American society, Chicanos experience a sense of not being fully acknowledged. Nevertheless, identifying as Chicano still holds significant political significance. Chicanos endeavor to affirm their presence in a society that seeks to assimilate or erase them (Jimenez, 2009). The Chicano community prioritizes cultural, social, and political advancement. Cultivating self-confidence serves as the first stride for individuals within the Chicano community.
Creating a language is essential for Chicanos as it empowers them, asserts their identity, and enhances their influence. This language, along with their culture, enables Chicanos to pursue equality, accessibility, and fairness while preserving their uniqueness compared to mainstream society. Spanglish, a language utilized by the Chicano community, plays a crucial role in facilitating communication that accurately represents the intricate nature of the Chicano identity (Jimenez, 2009).
Jimenez (2009) states that Spanglish holds great significance for the Chicano Community as it serves to define and unite them. It acts as a mirror of their identity, incorporating their customs, traditions, food, clothing, music, art, and language. Just as Spanglish blends English and Spanish together, Chicanos are a fusion of American and Mexican cultures. Not only does Spanglish reflect their identity but it also helps fortify it by restoring pride in both their language and themselves. Furthermore, it enables Chicanos to effectively communicate social information with emotional solidarity and trust when interacting with other bilingual individuals who are close to them. Being bilingual bicultural individuals themselves, Chicanos utilize Spanglish to express their unique experiences. This linguistic code represents the influences and cultures from both America and Mexico that contribute to the existence of the Chicano community.
Expressing themselves in Spanglish allows Chicanos to embody their identity as Mexican people residing in the United States and helps them feel a sense of belonging in this culturally diverse society. In social situations, Spanglish enables Chicanos to connect with others who have experienced the challenges and isolation of being Chicano in an environment with limited representation. Moreover, Spanglish can be utilized by Chicanos as a means to mobilize their community and gain political influence (Jimenez, 2009). This language empowers Chicanos to take control of their own experiences.
According to Jimenez (2009), individuals develop a language to communicate and manage their circumstances or prevent being overwhelmed by an undisclosed situation. In a society that historically undervalued diverse ethnic groups, Chicanos have constructed a language to delineate their unique experiences. They aim to avoid depending entirely on a language that has served as a tool for discrimination and oppression. Nevertheless, they also confront the difficulty of existing in an ambiguous state.
By residing in America, we have encountered a distinct culture and way of living, altering our Mexican roots. Adapted with American influences, we have formed a fresh culture and language to articulate and navigate our realities. Due to this importance, Chicanos can effectively employ Spanglish to communicate their social struggles and profound emotions. Uttering “Unanse a la causa… supportive affirmative action!” holds greater impact than “Unite with the cause… support affirmative action!” as it is spoken in Spanglish.
There is something about the sound of Unanse that gives them the feeling of being a unified entity. Unanse…support.” These two words are truly Spanglish (Jimenez, 2009). In this manner, they receive support, amplify their voices, and transform personal concerns into political ones. Despite the evolution of a language, one question remains: what exactly is a Chicano? Chicanos assert that if one must ask, they will never comprehend or become a Chicano. In reality, the term Chicano is as challenging to define as “soul.” For those who prefer simple explanations, Chicano can be understood as synonymous with Mexicano.
The term “Chicano” is thought to come from the Mexican state of “Chihuahua,” which borders the United States. This theory proposes that Mexicans who migrated to Texas called themselves Chicanos because they entered the US from Chihuahua and combined “Chi” with “cano” from “Texano” (Salazar, 1970). However, these explanations do not completely clarify why Mexican-American activists specifically opt to identify as Chicanos.
Mexican-Americans, the second largest minority in the country and the largest in the Southwestern states, have always faced challenges regarding their identity. In New Mexico, they are referred to as Spanish Americans, while other parts of the Southwest use terms like Americans of Mexican descent, individuals with Spanish surnames, or Hispanos (Salazar, 1970). Some Mexican-Americans question why they cannot simply be called Americans; however, Chicanos are working to explain why this is inappropriate. Despite being native to the Southwest region of America, Mexican-Americans face disadvantages in education, economy, society and politics that place them at a lower level (Salazar 1970).
Chicanos are expressing feelings of deception and demanding immediate changes. On average, Mexican-Americans receive only eight years of education, compared to African Americans who receive 10 years. In the Southwest, a majority of agricultural workers are Mexican-Americans who lack protection under the National Labor Relations Act, unlike other workers (Escobar, 2010). Additionally, Mexican-Americans often face competition from fellow Mexicans across the border for low-paying jobs as these individuals are willing to work for even lower wages (Escobar, 2010). Regrettably, Mexican-Americans must confront the painful reality that being labeled as “Mexican” is synonymous with being considered inferior in certain parts of the Southwest.
Mexican-American activists proudly adopt the term Chicano as a symbol of resistance and pride (Salazar, 1970). Nevertheless, despite their significant numbers, Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles, where Spanish-speaking individuals are highly concentrated in the US, lack political influence. Unlike African Americans who have three councilmen representing them, Mexican-Americans are not represented on the City Council (Salazar, 1970). Chicanos aim to integrate into American society while preserving their unique Chicano viewpoint. Thankfully, there is optimism for potential transformation.
The Chicano Movement has brought about a newfound consciousness. Its purpose for individual Chicanos is to offer a genuine outlook. Presently, being Chicano entails embracing one’s culture and history, actively bettering and supporting the community, and pursuing actions that will effectively attain self-determination objectives. Moreover, it involves striving for a society where equal rights and opportunities are genuinely accessible to all.
References: Cavendish, M. (2011).
