What I learned from conducting this research was that even though the Bracero Program promised the workers many things, like equal and steady wages, housing, and transportation for the workers, many of the times it was something that was never fulfilled completely. I learned that a lot of the times the government and states would manipulate the program towards their advantage, always exploiting the workers rights and labor. I believe that this topic contributes to the class because it was one of our topics but we did not fully get into it. Once I started doing the research I learned so much more about the program and how it led to the rise of many things, like the establishment of some labor unions, the immigration and settlement of Mexicana/os and what came to be known as the Chicano Movement.
0 Comments
From my research I learned how Chicano/a activism achieved a better equality and acceptance in society compared to the mid 1900's. What was most interesting to me was how the pachuca/o subculture wasn’t recognized or appreciated in the Chicana/o culture. Though, looking back in history, the Pachuca/o subculture has an important role to how the racial conflict grew and became active, sparking events that would lead to equality in the future. Through my research I was able to understand the injustice in the court room from the sleepy lagoon trial and other discriminatory cases. It is fascinating that America developed a constitution that established a justice system to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans; yet members of a minority born in America originally were not protected under certain amendments. The hypocrisy Mexican-Americans faced gave them the urge to gain equality. This urge fueled a sequence of events that forced Anglo America to further define what it means to serve justice. The struggle isn’t completely over but the adjustments that were made granted Chicana/o’s a stronger voice that became more respected and is louder in the ears of American society today. That being said, I think this is beneficial to chicana/o latina/o ethnic studies because it shows a rate of change in racial equality rights from "la crisis". This can be used to measure diversity and look at the rate of diversity seen in government and recognize success rates based on race in the United States.
As to what I have researched I’m not against fraternities or sororities but I am against letting go of the initial purpose of why these brotherhoods and sisterhoods started. Chicanos and Latino students need to question the reasons why we are here why they were created and for what reasons. Primarily what is the battle that we haven’t yet won. I feel that there is a need to politically speak out not only in the local community but for a nation who voice yearns to be heard. The Chicano battle for equality is not over and will not be if the Chicanos and Latinos begin to conform if we start doing everything our white counter parts do. I believe that the 1960’s era is too strong to be lost and forgotten. The obstacles will always be there it just depends on those who are strong enough to confront them and in the unity that is being lost within the rivalries of many Multicultural organizations. -Jennifer Barajas Conducting this research really made me see the violence that goes on in different parts of the world. I seen myself getting angry and frustrated watching the films that I presented information on. After writing the essay i still have so many questions, why is the violence is still going on? What is there being done to minimize the violence and oppression? It really does show me how privileged I am and how I should really think about my own culture and heritage more and get more involved as well. My research contributes to the academic fields of Chicano/a Latino/a studies because it is giving information to the department about the violence and oppression women face today and hopefully it makes others want to research it on their own as well.
From conducting my research I learned that not everyone has equal rights. People will be treated differently due to discrimination. This can be seen through race or for the simple reason of not liking a person. My school-to-prison pipeline subject is the prime example of it. Students are under the scrutiny of the higher authorities and are not feeling safe under the zero tolerance policy. This contributes to Chicano/Chicana studies because it is evident that race and impoverished communities are treated differently. When looking at statistics the whites make up the most of drug offenses; however, Chicanos/Chicanas and blacks as well are hassled more for it. In a sense it is as if the prison system is a classroom full of underprivileged people being speculated by higher authorities.
Li My research relates to the field of Chicanas/ Latinas by pointing out and illuminating the illusion of diversity that is being falsified in the media. There is this belief that because TV and pop culture appears to be more diversified that things are equal. This however is not true. The type of Mexican-Americans being represented by the media are often fake personas fitting into traditional, racial stereotypes.
|