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

The Bracero Program

On August 4, 1942 an executive order called the Mexican Farm Labor Program was put in place allowing Mexican men to work legally in the United States temporarily. This executive order was the start of what we now know as the Bracero Program and was an agreement between Mexico and the United States as a response to the labor shortage caused by WWII. While the program originally expected to only last the duration of the war it was not terminated until more than nineteen years after the end of WWII on December 1, 1964. The Bracero program was highly effective in getting over 4 million men to participate in it due to the economic status of Mexico and the limited work opportunities the country could offer. Those struggling economically saw this as an opportunity to help make ends meet and support themselves and/or their families. So they set out on a long journey to the United States unaware of the harsh awakening they would face.

When Braceros were recruited they were told that they would earn a minimum wage of 50 cents per hour along with other benefits such as insurance, safe and free housing, transportation to and from their place of origin and destination, and protection from discriminatory acts of any kind. However, little to none of those promises were kept as they ended up working long hours in terrible conditions earning little to no wages. While contracts were provided to the men looking to participate in the program many of the employers violated those contacts through unpaying and failing to provide them with the necessities required under contract.

Recruitment centers for the Bracero program ran throughout Mexico, many of them becoming overcrowded with the overwhelming amount of people wanting to work in the United States. It became difficult to obtain permits resulting in rules being broken and many bribing their way to the top of the list. Once selected they would say goodbye to their families and make their way to the United States traveling for days in crowded and unsanitary trains. Upon arriving in the United States they were taken to processing centers where they would be searched for contraband, stripped down, and sprayed down with extremely dangerous and now illegal chemicals such as kerosene, pesticides, DDT, and Zyklon B by the Department of Agriculture personnel.

Once the Braceros made it through the processing centers they were put back on trains and set off to their workplaces where they would work throughout the entirety of their contracts in unfit and unsanitary conditions. Many of the jobs that the Braceros were offered consisted of them working on land and railroads, both known to be very labor intensive. On the fields braceros would harvest crops, working long hours in the sun in uncomfortable positions while performing stoop labor. This type of labor resulted in many Braceros to suffer from back pain and many of the medical clinics would report back pain to be the most common ailment reported among the braceros.

After many years of abuse and modern day slavery the bracero program ended due to new advances in harvesting technology, economics, and politics. The braceros were returned home where many continued to endure the long lasting effects of the trauma that they underwent. To this day they have not gotten recognition for all the work that they put into keeping the United States functioning during or after the war so it is important we keep their history alive and help spread awareness on this part of history.

This page has paths:

Contents of this path:

This page references:

Mexican workers being transported to harvest sugar beets
Living Quarters for Braceros Here is an image of the braceros living quarters near McAllen, Texas where you can see the tightly packed together beds made out of stretched out canvas. This layout was designed to squeeze in as many bodies into one room as possible, lowering the housing costs for employers. However, these close living conditions increased the spread of respiratory illnesses spread among the braceros resulting in health complications. #FarmWorker #Migrant #Chicanx #HumanRights
Braceros being fumigated with pesticides and toxic chemicals