chicanismo - Profile (original) (raw)
on 22 March 2006 (#9848212)
The idea of a nation is a group of people that share the same history, language(s), origins, geography, and identity.
Chi... what?
During the flurry of the many movements of the 1960's, one movement took hold of a group of students who were bound together by commonality of language(s), nationality, origins, and a want to be recognized. These students (and non-students) became united under the name of 'Chicano' (speaking in Politically Correct terms: Chicana/o is a better word - Chicana meaning female; Chicano meaning male and as a group of both genders).
The idea of what a Chicana/o is differs from person to person. The most common one is the person of Mexican heritage who was born in the US - generally their families were too. Chicana/os are also known as Mexican Americans. Sometimes, a Mexican American will not want to associate themselves with the term Chicana/o because it has a 'negative' connotation (pachucos, gang activity, laziness, ect). This is also true in reverse; a Chicana/o might take offense when being lumped in as Mexican American, Hispanic, and/or the like. The term Chicana/o is used extensively (and almost exclusively) in the academic community - college departments are labeled Chicana/o or have classes with the term (University of Texas, University of Houston, University of Arizona, UCLA, UTEP, Stanford, University of Minnesota, UCSB, TAMUK, UCDavis, ect).
Xicano / Xicana is another term that is pronounced the same way. See wikipedia for more detail.
"We did not cross the border, the border crossed us."
There is solidarity within the community of Chicana/os with other "Latin" peoples. After all, we are lumped together as Latinos, Hispanics, people of Spanish origin, ect. :)
-ismo?
Chicanismo is the term used to identify the feeling / sense of unity and/or pride inside of the Chicana/o community.
Moderator
The moderator for this community is 
urbanedame. She is a radical, Chicana, feminist. You will see this slant in her writings. But don't be alarmed, she's a pacifist - she won't bite! But she will rip you to shreds if you can't back up your argument! ;) She's minoring in Mexican American Studies at University of Houston.
By Laws
1. Respect each other. Duh.
2. No racism will be tolerated. Ever.
3. For the love of Pete, explain yourself and your theory(s)! Sources are lovely! :) And offer to email sources in case someone isn't familar with a study/finding.
4. You don't have to be a member to post or to comment or to read. Let's keep it that way via the golden rule.
5. Large pictures (+ 400x400) should be kept under an lj cut, out of respect to other LJers.
6. Cite who and what you are refering to. After all, this is an academic subject.
7. Don't be afraid to "go there" with questions or theories! Just be respectful ;)!
8. Random stuff (quizzes and ontopic chain mail) is welcomed!
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10. Have fun.
Links
Wikipedia.com - Article: Chicano
Chicanas.com - A Feminist Website
NACCS.org
Brown Pride
Chicana and Chicano Space
MEChA National Webpage
Araña: the comic
El Muerto: the comic
(know more? tell me!)
****You don't have to be Chicana/o to join or post. After all, what is knowledge good for if you're hogging it up?****
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