The Chicano Movement

In the 1960s began The Chicano Civil Rights Movement. MexicanAmericans living in the U.S. struggled with discrimination, educational segregation, voting rights, and ethnic stereotyping. (The Chicano Civil Rights Movement). The Treaty of Hidalgo that was ”written to stop the Mexican- American war, promised Mexicans that stayed on the territory that was surrendered to the United States “ were promised citizenship and the right to their property, language, and culture. Unfortunately, this promise was broken, and Mexicans were treated as second-class citizens.

Many people were promised land grants but were denied them. This caused a lot of poverty amongst “land-grand descendants. Also, migrant farm workers were not awarded a livable minimum wage. Children of Mexican-born parents were not given citizenship. There were strikes and protests used to bring awareness to the issues at hand.

A significant activist group during the Chicano Civil Rights movement was the Brown Berets. Both men and women were a part of the group and participated in organizing and running of protests, and demonstrations. Also, the Brown Berets established the Barrio Free Clinic which was one of “the first free clinics established in a lowincome Spanish-speaking community.” (Herrera)

Pictured above is Gloria Arrellanes, one of the most influential activists of the Chicano movement (Herrera). She held the position of Minister in the Brown Berets and is responsible for the establishment of the Barrio Free Clinic. She was born in East L.A. in 1941 but later moved to El Monte with her family. She recounted that “growing up there was not easy” (Herrera). There was a lot of racism towards Mexicans. “It was not uncommon for her to hear disparaging comments about Mexicans: “that we were lazy…We’re dirty. In those days…[Y]ou couldn’t show your culture, and we didn’t have a culture. We didn’t even know our own culture.“ (Herrera) .

The fashion of the 1960s and 70s was diverse. Many activists wore their Brown Berets and uniforms daily to demonstrate their solidarity and commitment to change. The makeup and hair of the Chicana activists were more practical. Fewer women were rocking mega-teased hair and “excessive” makeup (Ramos). Makeup was minimal, and hair was worn straight with middle parts or in buns. Also, during this time, we begin to see the emergence of super skinny pencil brows.