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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

Mexican migrant worker

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Historical Context of the Bracero Program In this individual portion of the project I will explore the historical context which gave rise to the Bracero Program. Not only the global context at the moment of its inception, but also a historical precedent which possessed a massive influence in the reception of the program. Consequently, I will detail the circumstances from both sides, the US and Mexico. Furthermore, this portion is intended to serve as a foundation for the further exploration of the program, migration and testimonials. That is to say, a starting point because the context is precisely what gives the Bracero Program meaning.
Detailing the historical context of the Bracero Program is important in fully understanding and analyzing the program. Exploring the context establishes a framework from where the program’s formation, intentions and consequences can be understood. Not only providing insight into the program, but also recognizing the interaction between different forces in shaping the program into what we recognize today. Put simply, a historical lens grants us a more nuanced understanding from which the importance and legacy of the program can be examined.
The first aspect of this context that will be explored is the US and its involvement in the second world war. This participation, as we should know, came about following the attack on Pearl Harbor which forced the US to take action against the Axis powers in the war. Exactly four days following this attack, on December 8, 1941, the US declared war and had joined the fight. Though, it is often overlooked that the US’ involvement and support for the Allied forces stretches back a considerable amount of time. By December of 1940 the US had provided military supplies and other forms of assistance through acts like the “cash and carry” or lend-lease program. Though labor at this point in time had not necessitated labor from abroad, only until the US openly entered the war there were concerns of labor shortage that had historically even been unpopular.
From the war the US had emerged an industrial power and had even produced around two-thirds of military equipment for the Allied. In order to support this focus on production and concerns in the US economy, agreements were reached between the US and Mexican government in order to recruit laborers. That is to say these workers proved to be an integral component to the US economy. In the image to the right the effect of the program's dissolution in 1964 can be seen through the drop in production, or fruit crates. However, this was not the only motivation workers had for joining the program. The contracts which the US had appeared to have been so generously offering had appealing wages, as well as guarantees of wages, safety and rights. Along with the favorable preconceived ideas of American life and culture at the time, the workers faced a number of pull factors which managed to attract upwards of five million people. As can be seen in the image to the right, these workers looked forward to their experience for these reasons.
On the other side of the border, historical events also contributed to the development of the program, but the roots on this side stem from years prior. This event is the Mexican Revolution that began in 1910 with the overthrow of Porfirio Díaz. From this moment the timeline of events can be understood as a steady exchange of presidents and while some changes were reached like separation of church and state, the country was left in bad shape. Following the revolution, livestock was greatly reduced, agriculture and manufacturing was abandoned to a degree and currency as well as credit were destroyed. While it’d be incorrect to state that from 1920 to 1941 these issues were not addressed, it is worth noting that these effects had rippling effects across the decades and aided in forming Mexico’s modern-day structure: little social service with a minority wealthy elite. Given this social and economic context in Mexico it should come as no surprise when millions of Mexican workers gladly acted on the newly instituted program. Having expected a culturally impressive experience, higher wages to support their families, a greater degree of safety and kind of “new start,” there was little up to decision. These push factors could not be overlooked.
From this historical context, the push and pull factors that gave rise to the Bracero Program can be seen, these establish a basis from where we can begin to understand the expectations as well as the thinking of the workers that participated. Participation as has been explored stemmed from reasoning including higher wages to a desire to experience American culture. Though, it would be an injustice to fail to highlight the uniqueness in the experiences of the braceros and merely generalize it all as unfavorable. As will be seen in the following individual pages, the braceros experience differed in migration as well as favorable or unfavorable aspects of the program. In the image to the right a singular migration is representative of this uniqueness as workers can be seen in a single area of work preparing for transport. That's to say this foundation will prove important to keep in mind as the uniqueness and reality of the bracero experience is explored.