Cultural Influences On Mexican American Culture
For a majority of cultures in the world, change is inevitable. The influences that lead to change occur along the cultural borders of the given culture. According to Pérez-Torres (211), cultural borders are the differences unique to a culture vis-à-vis other cultures. Cultural changes can occur when other cultures influence a given culture or when it resists the interchange with another culture and instead change emanates from within. The latter explains the changes in the Mexican American cultural identity. The Mexican-American culture has undergone a lot of changes over time. Through the studies by Anzaldúa (530) and Menchaca (45), it can be seen how the culture has changed from ‘Chicano’ to ‘Chicana/o’ and finally to ‘Xicanx.’ Resistance …show more content…
The term basic here is used to denote the required space and freedom that the Mexican Americans required while living in the U.S. to practice their culture. This is because to the American people the Mexican American were all part of a broader cultural group called the Hispanics. The rationale for this was that they were all colonized by the Spanish powers or was directly influenced by the Spanish culture. The cultural border that existed between the Hispanics and the general American culture, which was at that time dominated by White Anglo-Americanism, was very wide. The American culture was not tolerant as all American policies and society’s unspoken rules did not allow the free integration of the Hispanics with the greater American culture. The interchange that was allowed was one-way; the Hispanic were expected to borrow form the American culture not the other way around. As such, there Hispanic culture had to struggle to be recognized as a culture distinct from the American culture and accorded the needed freedom (Pérez-Torres …show more content…
The discrimination was perpetrated against them because they belonged to Mexican American culture; rather it was based on their color. Therefore, there were struggles to secure freedom for these women. In this endeavor, the Xicanx struggle aligned itself with the struggles in American and all over the world against segregation on race or skin color. In principle, the Xicanx phase of the cultural revolution asserted new cultural borders for the Mexican American people living in the U.S. (Moraga 224). The borders were well adjusted to cope with contemporary influences and
Latinidad: The Challenge Of Latina
608 Words | 3 PagesThe first main idea from the reading was redefining what it means to be Latino in America. This is a main idea
The Latino Threat Summary
541 Words | 3 PagesHe argues this case through many sources, one of which described that Mexicans are not capable of straying away from their own culture and even included U.S. born Mexicans Americans, thus making them more prone to creating a new nation within the U.S. southwest (35-36). Chavez explains that the scholar does not
La Raza Unid The Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement
120 Words | 1 PagesIn effect of African-Americans fighting for their civil rights, Mexican-Americans formed La Raza Unida when they saw that, “even the most disillusioned Mexican-American begin to dream large dreams again” (372). The civil rights movement for African-Americans helped opened the eyes of Mexican-Americans, and they soon realized that there was a disadvantaged minority. At this time period, they faced “the same level economically, but substantially below educationally” compared to African-Americans (372). “Mexican-Americans is not too much better off than the Negro” (372). After world war two, many Mexican-Americans wanted to be acknowledged for their sacrifice for serving their country.
Essay On Evolving Chicana
876 Words | 4 PagesIn Hurtado and Gurin’s article, we see the first label of Chicano as “the Chicano Generation” originating from 1966 to present time. The generation before the Chicana/o generation were the Mexicanos whom valued the Spanish language over English, Mexican customs, and their Mexican culture. However, the article states that the Chicano Generation, although derived from Mexican ancestry, critiqued the Mexicanos based on their “loyalty” to the United States. Thus, the Chicano Generation deviated from their Mexican culture, but did not fully assimilate to an American culture.5 Chicanas/os placed themselves in between, not accustoming to one culture or the other; thus, creating their own. From this, we can conclude that the early definition of a Chicana/o social identity is solely that of a first generation American-born citizen into a Mexican-American
The Chicano Movement Summary
626 Words | 3 PagesThe Chicano movement derives from early oppression of Mexicans. Robert Rodrigo, author of “The Origins and History of the Chicano Movement” acknowledges that, “At the end of the Mexican American war in 1848, Mexico lost half of its territory to the United States and its Mexican residents became ‘strangers in their own lands.’” In stating this fact, Rodrigo exemplifies the United States’ relations with Mexico, that, ultimately, led to their oppression. Moreover, these early relations led to social injustice for the Mexican community. Carlos Muñoz, author of The Chicano Movement: Mexican American History and the Struggle for Equality reports, “As a conquered people, beginning with the Texas-Mexico War of 1836 and the U.S. Mexico War of 1846-48, they have
Summary Of Mexican American Culture
899 Words | 4 PagesBefore the 1960s many social science disciplines utilized cultural determinist paradigms as their framework for knowledge production. For example, in “The Anthropology and Sociology of the Mexican-Americans,” Octavio Ignacio Romano describes how anthropologists and sociologists used the concept of Traditional Culture to explain the history of Mexican Americans. According to Romano, this concept “deal[s] with human beings only as passive containers and retainers of culture,” which posits Mexican Americans are ahistorical people (“The Anthropology” 26). Therefore, in using this theoretical lens Romano argues social science scholars not only erase the history of Mexican Americans but also perpetuate the idea that Mexican American culture is deficient and prohibits their progress. For example, he criticizes Ruth Tuck along with other sociologists and anthropologists for describing Mexican Americans as fatalistic people who adjust to their problems, instead of making an effort to overcome them (“The Anthroplogy” 29).
Summary Of Repressive Tolerance
994 Words | 4 PagesAs a result of their emigration, America was now viewed as “multiethnic and multiracial” and “defined in terms of culture and creed” (Huntington 1). On the contrary, when people traveled across the border from Mexico, their culture was not so widely accepted. Mexican traditions and values were seen as a “serious challenge to America’s traditional identity” (Huntington 2). The “original settlers” of America were incredibly open to people travelling from Europe, but when people came from Latin America, they were
Mexican American Culture In Bless Me Ultima
1414 Words | 6 PagesCulture is an essential part of a community’s identity, because it links individuals to a collective bond. The Americas have always contained a vast variety of cultural communities, especially in the United States. The US is known for being one of the most diverse nations in the world, housing hundreds of different cultures. Mexican-Americans display a strong sense of a cultural background, which falls as a subset of the bigger Latino culture that links all Latinos. Oral history is a major aspect on the Mexican culture, which contributes to the truth of how history in the United States actually happened.
How To Tame A Wild Tongue By Gloria Anzaldúa Analysis
1103 Words | 5 PagesThe text is important because not many people know the difficulties of being Mexican-American, especially when it comes to being themselves or the inner turmoil that comes with it; being Mexican-American means following traditions and speaking perfect Spanish, while at the same time having a grasp on American traditions and
Mexican American History Research Paper
870 Words | 4 PagesBin, Leslie Mexican American History - 2328 Tovanche, Juan January 29, 2016 Mexican American History In The Classroom "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.", as said by Marcus Garvey. Some observers may criticize the fact that Mexican American History is taught at the greater academic level, however a more diverse curriculum is fundamental in developing an accurate national identity, embracing a greater sense of history, and to keep citizens culturally cognizant of a world beyond themselves. Mexican American History as well as the histories of other cultures/countries should be taught in the classroom for the sake of cultivating a broader knowledge of humanity. National Identity
Quixote's Soldiers Summary
741 Words | 3 PagesBasically, what the authors tries to show is a strong abandonment of the government to the chronic gang violence and a big division of two group of people. “Sociologist Buford Farris likewise described the social relation between Anglos and Mexican Americans in the mid-sixties as a model of two almost separate systems”2. The division of these two group of people made that a small group of businessmen “controlled all commences and development”3. In the second part, the author gives a description of how the Chicano Movement starts getting Mexican American students and politically aware youth workers and to form the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO). Later, the women movement is going to be added to this group since they were not strong enough or they were not considered equal as the Chicanos.
How Did Spanish Culture Influence Mexican Culture
460 Words | 2 PagesMany young children whose family practice native customs are afraid to reveal that they are not “pure” according to Spanish standards. The consequence of such injustice is so tremendous that it impossible to put into words: so many people are suffering just because their ancestors had been conquered by a much more powerful nation. It is unfair that they have to suffer they way. I truly feel sorry for those who can’t put food on the food table every night because there are no job opportunities for them because they aren’t true Spaniards. Unless they people of Mexico don’t change their thinking soon, it shall never
Aztlan Colonial New Mexico Analysis
504 Words | 3 Pages“Aztlan, Cibola and Frontier New Spain” is a chapter in Between the Conquests written by John R. Chavez. In this chapter Chavez states how Chicano and other indigenous American ancestors had migrated and how the migration help form an important part of the Chicanos image of themselves as a natives of the south. “The Racial Politics behind the Settlement of New Mexico” is the second chapter by Martha Menchaca.
Essay On Chicano Culture
906 Words | 4 PagesChicano culture came as result of a mixture of different cultures (Shingles and Cartwright 86). Despite the assimilation by the majority whites the Chicanos have preserved their culture. This paper seeks to prove that Chicano culture has deep cultural attributes that would appeal to the larger American culture, leading to strengthening of
La Mexicano Analysis
871 Words | 4 PagesTHE FATHER, THE SON, AND LA CHINGADA: THE TRINITY OF THE CONQUEST ‘Lo Mexicano’ is a phrase-turned-concept in 20th century Mexican philosophy. The term literally translates to “the Mexican,” however, it is also used to superficially describe the identity of the Mexican individual. The notion came about after the revolution; the phrase was meant to emphasize and unite Mexico as an independent people. Today, the phrase is understood as an all encompassing term for “mexicanness,” or that which makes someone a true mexican.
More about Cultural Influences On Mexican American Culture
Latinidad: The Challenge Of Latina
608 Words | 3 PagesThe Latino Threat Summary
541 Words | 3 PagesLa Raza Unid The Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement
120 Words | 1 PagesEssay On Evolving Chicana
876 Words | 4 PagesThe Chicano Movement Summary
626 Words | 3 PagesSummary Of Mexican American Culture
899 Words | 4 PagesSummary Of Repressive Tolerance
994 Words | 4 PagesMexican American Culture In Bless Me Ultima
1414 Words | 6 PagesHow To Tame A Wild Tongue By Gloria Anzaldúa Analysis
1103 Words | 5 PagesMexican American History Research Paper
870 Words | 4 PagesQuixote's Soldiers Summary
741 Words | 3 PagesHow Did Spanish Culture Influence Mexican Culture
460 Words | 2 PagesAztlan Colonial New Mexico Analysis
504 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Chicano Culture
906 Words | 4 PagesLa Mexicano Analysis
871 Words | 4 Pages