unknown part of the civil rights era:
the chicano movement
When we think of Civil Right Movements that happened in the U.S., we automatically think of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. We learn about this movement all the time in school. A certain movement that many people do not know about and that is not taught in school is the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. “Chicano” was initially used as a derogatory term for Mexican-Americans until Mexican leaders reclaimed it and used it to indicate pride of their Mexican heritage. This movement began around the 1960s and was an extension of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, which began in the 1940s. There was no official leader who led the Chicano movement, but instead, there were groups and organizations that formed it. This movement included issues such as political rights, education, treatment, and pay of farmworkers. They also called attention to their lack of ownership of the land stripped from them after the Mexican-American War.
The Chicano Movement truly began after Ceasar Chaves founded the National Farm Workers Association was formed in 1962. Their goals was to bring to everyone’s attention to the dangerous conditions and poor pay of farm workers.
"The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people ."
- Cesar Chavez
They then united with the Agricultural Workers Organization and became the United Farm Workers to become a bigger association. Together they went on marches, hunger strikes, and boycotts that gained the attention of the press. Throughout 1962 and the 1980s, they were successful on improving the conditions for farm workers and increasing wages. Unfortunately, this success did not last for a long time because today farm workers are still getting payed and the conditions are still harsh.
In 1965, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales founded the Crusade for Justice in Denver, which simply pursued justice for Chicanos, and it offered healthcare, jobs, and legal services for Chicanos. He was known to be one of the vital leaders of the Chicano Movement. The Crusade for
By Teresa Guzman
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