This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

US Latinx Activism and Protests: From the Farm to the (Legislative) Table Art produced during the Chicanx Movement Abstract: In the midst of change, The Chicanx Movement was a monumental time for Mexican Americans in the United States during the late 1960s. The movement addressed the social, economic, and political inequalities experienced by Mexican Americans across the nation. Aimed to celebrate and acknowledge cultural pride and identity, the movement also sought to reclaim and celebrate Mexican and Mexican American history, art, and culture. The Chicanx Movement played a significant role in shaping the Latino identity and influencing subsequent social justice movements, and the artwork produced during this time allowed for many to voice their opinions on the political and social climate of the U.S during the time. LA Demonstrations During the Chicano Movement Abstract: The Chicano Movement was a movement that involved Mexican-Americans all over the United States and was a crucial component to establishing civil rights for Latinos. While Chicanos living in the United States were at the focal point of discrimination in society, they figured that it was best to come together and establish a sense of familiarity in order to combat these racial remarks and disadvantages. To spark attention to their cause and movement, many Chicanos participated in numerous demonstrations and while many were peaceful, many considered them as radical. By Steve, Lexi, and Ricardo Bracero Program In this project we will be analyzing a number of facets of the Bracero Program with a specific focus on the causes, on both sides of the border, which culminated in the agreement. Consequently, we will explore the historical context of the US and Mexico of the first half of the twentieth century, including the impact of the Mexican Revolution as well as the dire situation brought about by the second world war. By utilizing this basis we will then analyze the “migration aspect” entailed by the program, travel from Mexico to the US and various territories. Not only as an in depth look at the agreement, but also as a necessary foundation. One which will permit the Bracero Program to be positioned in history, while simultaneously deepening the exposition and understanding of a largely forgotten case of large-scale abuse and exploitation. We anticipate this will form the backbone of the examination of bracero experiences: first-hand accounts and testimonials.. By Fernando, Joy and Lizeth Guatemalan Genocide & Its Dark Truth This page will focus on the Guatemalan genocide, a period of brutal violence that brought tremendous adversity to those indigenous communities residing in the rural areas of Guatemala. It will provide details regarding the atrocities that the Mayan people experienced, the trauma that was left behind, and the hardships that they continue to face today. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how this heinous period of history fostered activism and social movements in Guatemala. By Paola Chavarria and & Aurora Nieves Chicano Farm Worker Movement In this project, we will be discussing about the Chicano Farm Worker Movement and how it brought change to not only farm workers but to society as a whole. We will be focused on the working conditions of farm workers prior and after the movement, notable or influential leaders, and the communities that were fueling the movement. By examining their struggles, successes, and legacy, we wanted to provide a better understanding of the process needed to advocate and bring forth social change for a marginalized group of people. Last, we wanted to remove stereotypes and other misconceptions about the movement in creating a more equitable society. Por: Justin Bui, Kristi Kang, Jenniffer Young Las "Brujas" Feministas: Magazines, Art, and Television This project intends to provide a comprehensive analysis of women's representation in different mediums such as art, television, and fanzines. In this way, the goal is to understand the gender stereotypes that women have had to overcome from a feminist perspective. Through this discussion, the hope is to amplify women's voices to promote inclusive and equitable representation in society. By Claudia Mejia, Janet Landa, Diana Andrade Walkouts and Protests in Los Angeles On our page, we will discuss the walkouts and protests that took place within schools and communities across Los Angeles. The school protests happened because Latino students wanted to see a change in the education system. Some of the changes Latino students wanted to see implemented were hiring more Chicano professors and administrators, having more Chicano Studies classes in higher education, and overall being treated better without discrimination or judgment. In the 1960s, high school students faced racism and discrimination, which included a lack of education and insufficient school buildings in comparison to those of white students in the area. Walkouts famously took place at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where there was a large population of Latino students. In 1993, college students also faced a lack of Chicano education when budget cuts put the Chicano classes at UCLA at risk of being shut down. This led to a hunger strike, where UCLA students protested and ultimately helped to establish the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o Studies. In the years leading up to 1965, Latino and Black communities also protested because they wanted to see a change in the way they were treated. The Black community finally had enough in 1965 and the Watts Riots happened, which in the end led to positive changes in their community. By Sydney Schwinger, Vanessa Harris, Jazmin Chavez

Dehumanization of Migrants

Illegal, Aliens, Unlawful, Criminals. These are only a few words used in the communication of the United States government with agencies within it and the public outside of it when referring to immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants, entering the country. These terms reduce immigrants to their legal status, ignoring their inherent dignity and humanity, and equates the nature of the immigration, of their existence, as criminal.

This rhetoric has made it so that "illegality" is seen as equal to Latino/a immigrants, as policy and media reinforces the synonymy. Language that dehumanizes or marginalizes immigrants perpetuates negative biases, making it more difficult to empathize with their experiences and challenges. It reflects and reinforces existing power dynamics in society and influences how immigrants are treated and valued within the United States. Historically, immigrants are used to supplement the work of Americans who aren't willing to do the jobs at the low salaries corporations offer in agricultural, construction and other industries. For example, the bracero program that imported Mexican agricultural workers with false promises to consolidate the loss of work due to World War 2 and increase profits with meager pay. This choice of language also reinforces the exclusionary measures current immigration policy is. Such as the separation of children at the border, where the cruel policy was used as a deterrent for future immigrants that fear of being separated from their children would prevent them from crossing. This is also seen in the allowance of border vigilante groups such as The Minutemen, citizens that take it upon themselves to protect "their" land from being invaded by illegal immigrants. These people who participate in, what is essentially, the hunting of immigrants are influenced by this dehumanization.

This is the nature of Title 42, a policy that is expiring but whose original intention and its present usage is a demonstration of this dehumanization.

Title 42

Title 42 is a section of the United States code that grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Center for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) the authority to take measures to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases into the United States. This section has basis in the Public Health Service Act of 1944, which permitted the HHS and the CDC to address public health emergencies and impose restrictions to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. This has then been invoked throughout history to address disease diffusion. Most recently, and contentiously, it was used during the COVID-19 in 2020 by former President Trump as a way to rapidly expel immigrants, including asylum-seekers, at the U.S.-Mexico border, under the argument that their entry would pose a risk of spreading COVID-19.

This rapid expulsion was a part of the "zero tolerance" policy of Trump-era immigration policy, it contributed to the cruelty of separation of children at the border and the mistreatment of any undocumented immigrants or asylum seekers.

Expiration of Title 42

Title 42, however, is coming to an end. The Biden administration has set an official date of expiration of May 11, this expiration brings forth the prediction of an influx of immigrants arriving to the United States especially in combination with the delay Trump's administration caused and the outdated existing policy. With the supposed influx of migrants that will arrive, there are concerns of a "crisis" in illegal immigration. The United States does not currently have the resources necessary to handle the possible surge coming from the lifting of this policy.

Many current border cities are prepared to use federal funds to handle this influx, however many others are asking the federal government of directly take care of housing these immigrants.

A Future of Title 42?

This then raises the question, what will come to replace Title 42?

With its expiration, a new policy is being put in place where any and all immigrants that arrive to the United States border without going through the correct channels will be turned away and not allowed to re-enter until five years have passed. This, however, is also combined with the opening of new processing centers in various countries to expedite the process and lower the number of unauthorized immigrants arriving at the border. This is essentially maintaining Title 42 where instead of diseases being the reason, illegality is now the sole precursor. In fact, the expiration had been previously delayed by a judge stating that it had to be maintained. It is clear that the current administration and legislators are not willing to move away from immigration policy barring anyone from entering.

Many call this ban necessary, as mentioned previously, "crisis" is believed to be imminent. But to others this is a call for a "reset," this ban puts asylum seekers in danger as many of them don't have the luxury of going through and waiting for the legal process of immigration or asking for asylum.

Currently, there is no explicit policy meant to replace and keep Title 42. There is still uncertainty to the future of this specific policy, but with the current nature of politics, similar bans aren't far away from being enacted. In fact, states are very much willing to expel any undocumented immigrants, as we see in Florida the governor writing into state law the mandated deportation of any undocumented worker.

Conclusions

Throughout this explanation, it is clear to see the lack of regard for people. As Title 42 expires, it is only a question of how it's banning can be maintained and who is going to care of the migrants who come through. There is no real push for more inclusive policy that can better take care of migrants arriving to the United States. Rhetoric in the media continues to aggressive and dismissive, creating a greater panic for this "foreign enemy" that is "invading."

The language enshrined in this policy is clearly dehumanizing, and its promotion and discussion only continues to enforce the stereotypes. The entirety of this page focuses on immigration coming from Latin American countries, when Ukraine is currently going through war, in which many asylum seekers looked to the United States as this beacon of hope for escaping the war zone. But when they arrived, the only thing they received is hate and aggression for their status of citizenship. It is clear there is a bias and prejudice, for when we speak about asylum seekers from Ukraine they are welcomed with open arms and all other migrants are treated with disdain.

This page has paths:

Contents of this path: