The Chicano Movement of the 1960s

The Chicano Movement was a civil rights movement that was lead by Mexican Americans that happened during the 1960s. This was also going on during the same time as the African American movement so the Chicano Movement does not get recognized as often. One of the most crucial places that the Chicano movement happened was in the universities. The people that lead this movement wanted universities to allow people of color to come in, but not only that they also wanted classes that were about Chicano studies. While this issue was one of importance for the members involved. But, there were also issues that they wanted to improve they go include anything from the struggle of farm workers to political representation. During this time it was not only a movement but it later turned into a movement for dignity and self-respect. This movement is were multiple members involved started to get a sense of unity that was never there before. It was new and the members liked what was going on because they finally felt that they were being recognized as a person.

            The student’s role during this time was huge, from 1960-1970 there were more protests going on at universities. Once 1960 rolled around this is when the American people first start seeing Mexican Americans show up on college campuses. These students just did not come by the tens and twenties, but they chose to come in large numbers every time. By 1968 there were events led by student organizations that would make changes in this movement forever. The first week of March the United Mexican American Students, or the UMAS, led protests that are later known as walkouts. The students accused the school of being racist, and not having their own freedom of speech. These protests ended up drawing a lot of different attention from the media as well as the police and FBI. Due to these movements happening at these schools and because of all the media attention the California school system was left in a standstill. Three months after the strike thirteen students who were Mexican American were arrested on the grounds of creating these protests that happened at school.

            These students wanted to be heard and they were not going to stop until they got what they believed that they deserved. One student who was a member of the UMAS created a proposal for the funding of the Mexican American Studies Program. The basis of the proposal stated what these students thought should be taught and when these classes should happen as well. The students who wrote this proposal for the University of Washington did this in order to meet the need of the United Mexican American Students.

            According to Gaudium et spes a citizen may protest if they think that authority is taking their rights away. Based on the information from the Chicano Movement, the Mexican Americans believed that their rights were not being given to them. Most of the people that were protesting during this movement where students who believed that their culture was not being represented at the school or university they attended. In order to get the respect that the Mexican Americans wanted they believed protesting was going to be the only way they were going to get heard.

Freddie Resendez rallies students at Lincoln High School. Circa June 6, 1968. Image via Los Angeles Times.

            If interested in learning more the Chicano! PBS Documentary Fighting For Political Power is a great and informational video to watch. Or watch / listen to the Songs from the Chicano Movement. Some of these songs are what was sang when working in the fields.