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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

Mural on Whittier Blvd.

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1. Mural on Whittier Blvd.

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Exploring the Vibrant Murals of East Los Angeles This page explores the different kinds of murals that were painted in Los Angeles, specifically East Los Angeles, during the Chicano movement. During the Chicano movement, East Los Angles became a central hub for many Chicano artists and their murals as there was a lot of cultural activism during the movement. Many believed that the murals that were painted served a bigger role in the Chicano movement because of the visual narratives these murals displayed.
Throughout the history of Los Angeles, the Chicano Movement, which took place sometime around the 1960s and 1970s, was one of the most influential movements as it encompassed the many issues that Mexican Americans (Chicanos) faced. Some of these issues that the movement addressed were economic, social, and political inequalities. Although these inequalities can unfortunately still be seen in today’s society, many other inequalities were able to be abolished such as inequality in the education system. While the protests during the movement played a significant role in that abolishment, the murals painted during the movement also played a significant role as they displayed narratives highlighting the many struggles and inequalities that Chicanos faced. Interestingly enough, while many of these murals display struggles and inequalities, they also display the cultural aspect of Chicanismo and they do that by including important figures and imagery.

East Los Angeles murals strongly emphasized cultural identity and heritage within the Chicano movement. Murals, such as this specific one, often featured iconic symbols such as Jesus Christ, Mexican folklore, and unity. While the symbol of Jesus Christ can vary for different individuals, in general, what Jesus Christ represents to many Chicanos is a blend of cultural, historical, and spiritual meanings that reflect the experiences of Mexican-Americans within the Chicano movement. Another symbol that is highlighted in the image is the iconic eagle which symbolizes the indigenous heritage that many Chicanos celebrate and identify with. An iconic figure such as Pancho Villa represents a much broader meaning such as resistance against oppression which is what the Chicano movement was all about. While all three symbols represent something different, they all share a commonality which is unity and this can be seen in the background of the mural.

While the last mural displayed the different symbols and iconic figures in Chicanismo, this mural represents the many different aspects of Chicano culture. As we can see in the mural, Chicanismo is two-sided which means that Chicanos don't just identify with one culture, but with two which are indigenous and modern cultures. The quote that's also in the mural is interesting as it states that we are all children of the sun and that we belong here, in other words, we're all the same and therefore we all have the same right to be in this country. Unfortunately, this mural no longer exists as the restaurant that it was painted on no longer exists as well.

This next mural is interesting as it is unlike the others in the sense that it doesn't display symbolism, but instead, it displays a sense of social and political activism. Murals in East Los Angeles served as platforms for social and political activism. They addressed a wide range of issues affecting the Chicano community, such as civil rights, immigration, labor rights, and police brutality. Murals depicted scenes of protests, revolutionary figures, and messages of empowerment, calling for social justice and equality. They also provided a voice for the marginalized and often displayed the determination Chicanos had toward social justice. This mural has an interesting past because according to one of our readings, this mural was a SPARC mural, and SPARC murals were used to provide a strong representation of the mural's history. This effort though caused the court to enforce a mural ordinance that would subsequently put many restrictions on murals, even banning their production. The use of words on murals was one of the restrictions which is why this mural is important since, in a way, rebels against these restrictions. As for the phrase, it focuses more on the inclusion of a community rather than an individual and it does this by using the word "we" rather than "you".

This last mural is important as it shows us a symbol that isn't seen in the other murals. The symbol of "la raza" is present and it emphasizes on the collective identity and unity among people of Mexican and Latin American descent. It can also be said that it represents the notion of a shared struggle and the affirmation of a distinct identity rooted in the indigenous and mestizo (mixed indigenous and European) heritage of Mexico. The symbol emphasizes pride in one's heritage, celebrating cultural diversity, and pursuing social justice and equality.

While all of these murals might be using different symbols and icons, they all address the same issues and are used towards the same cause. Another commonality these murals share is the representation of Chicanismo culture, which back then was underrepresented. These murals also give us a better idea of what the Chicano movement was about and how it has shaped those who are Mexican-Americans/of Latin-American descent. Overall, these murals played an important role in the Chicano movement and they continue to play an important role in today's society as they remind us of the change it caused toward economic, social, and political inequalities