Topic > Equality and Empowerment: Understanding the Chicano Movement

Before the Chicano Movement, there was constant discrimination against Mexican-Americans. Much like the segregation faced by African Americans, there were “No Mexicans Allowed” or “Whites Only” signs in business windows and in public areas. Those who discriminated against Mexican-Americans used the phrase “Chicano” as a racial slur, but activists wore it with pride. The essay on the "Chicano Movement" stated that this movement was a way that Mexican-Americans could ensure that their voices were heard and that changes would be made for the better. Chicano activists called for better rights for agricultural workers, land restoration, and education reform. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay One of the leaders of the Chicano movement was Dolores Huerta. Huerta created the Agricultural Workers Association which helped many issues such as equal rights for farmers who were underpaid for their hard work. Another leader was Ceaser Chavez, who organized the United Farm Workers Union. He had experienced firsthand the poor conditions of farm work and was determined to improve the environment for farm workers. Another program Chavez was involved in was the Bracero program. The Bracero Program began in 1942 and allowed millions of Mexicans living in Mexico to work in the United States. Although immigrants were allowed to stay in the United States to work, they were placed in poorly maintained housing areas and were discriminated against, which would lead to violence. When people found out that immigrants were working and living in the United States, they were completely against it. Philip Martin stated in his article "The Bracero Program: Was it a Failure?", "The November 1960 CBS documentary "Harvest of Shame" convinced President John F. Kennedy that the Braceros were "adversely affecting wages, working conditions and employment opportunities. of our own farm workers." Farmers fought to preserve the program in Congress, but lost, and the Bracero program ended on December 31, 1964. This caused many workers to lose their jobs. Philip Martin also stated in his article: “ Plant scientists developed an evenly ripened tomato that was made into ketchup and other tomato products, and engineers developed a machine to cut the plant and shake off the tomatoes, reducing the number of pickers needed by more than 90 units." This machine was able to replace the work done by some farmers. Although many lost their jobs, this machine did not endanger any workers or force them to face extreme weather conditions. The Chicano movement sought to improve the land that was once theirs thanks to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Sergio Pena wrote in his 2015 Affinity article "The Chicano Movement of the 1960s," "The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo originally stipulated that when Mexican lands were ceded, the Mexican owners on the lands that would be ceded would be in able to maintain their property rights and would become full citizens of the United States Many lost their lands because the treaty did not recognize Mexico's original land grants, and because of Jim Crow laws and the racism of the time many Mexicans who remained on the ceded land they were considered second class citizens and treated unequally. In 1966 Reies Lopez Tijerina demanded to receive what had been taken from them by leading a march.