Looking back at one of Ruben Salazar's most important and puzzling questions though my own journey and experience - part of a series on the Chicano experience.
For most of my life I felt like an asshole for not speaking Spanish. I was angry at my parents for not raising me to speak it. I was called a pocho and again, white washed…only to grow up all these years later and get called an asshole for not speaking an indigenous language! I’m now a sellout two times! Once for not knowing the colonizer’s tongue and twice for not knowing the native one…whichever that might be. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 This says it all. This is the new Ruben Salazar quote 2023!
To me, Chicano is the people, culture and experience of being Mexican in this country. Before it's political, it's an experience and although this experience may differ, it of course is still a unique experience especially in the barrios of the southwest.
Oh yeah and commenting on IG I think is better because the engagement is better. I have no idea if I'll see a notification if someone responds here or like or whatever. Great article as always!
Oyes, Sarlos--Chicano is not metaphysical state of being, Chicanismo is un proceso con sus sesos or por que la cultura cura, as the artist and poet and song master Jose Montoya, El general of the Royal Chicano Air Force would say. There're very definite regional variations and have you honestly read "On Culture" by the Chicano intellectual Juan Gomez Quinones--check out his 2012 book Indigenous Quotient Stalking Words: American Indian Heritage as Future. (Aztlan Libre Press, San Antonio)
I feel you, i also had a pretty interesting upbringing. I was born SoCal, but a very young age my parents decided to go back to their native Guanajuato, illegally. Almost like a reverse wetback.
I grew up like a normal poor Mexican kid but as soon as my friends found i was born in the USA, i was often referred as el Americano and not in a good way.
'89 we came back legally illegally to the US. And then again i was just another Mexican anchor baby. Although as i grew up i started to consider myself Chicano.
When i joined the Army, it was a very eye opening experience. I would say that i was Mexican but also that i was Chicano. To me my chicanismo might have ruffled and feathers. But like Popeye said "I yasm who i yasm. "
I really don't considered myself American or Mexican but i am definitely not ashamed by any means of both my parent countries. I am human above all then chicano then whatever my family, friends and everyone considers me.
Powerful SJ! I’m first generation even though my Jefita and Nina grew up as Chicanas. My Abuelo taught me about my Native side of 3 tribes from Mexico, but he too told me I was a Chicano. My Nina was a Brown Beret and walked out of LHTS. She ingrained into me that I was a Chicano since I could understand what it meant. I grew up born in 69 but really the ‘70s and Chicano is all I know that I am. My entry in the Corps I marked other and put Chicano same with Pacific Bell in 1989. My granddaughter is like me. Now she embraces our blood, but calls herself Chicana which in Texas confuses people. Can’t wait for the book. I’ll be getting a copy for me and hopefully an autograph inspiration for my granddaughter. ✊🏽
For most of my life I felt like an asshole for not speaking Spanish. I was angry at my parents for not raising me to speak it. I was called a pocho and again, white washed…only to grow up all these years later and get called an asshole for not speaking an indigenous language! I’m now a sellout two times! Once for not knowing the colonizer’s tongue and twice for not knowing the native one…whichever that might be. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 This says it all. This is the new Ruben Salazar quote 2023!
To me, Chicano is the people, culture and experience of being Mexican in this country. Before it's political, it's an experience and although this experience may differ, it of course is still a unique experience especially in the barrios of the southwest.
Oh yeah and commenting on IG I think is better because the engagement is better. I have no idea if I'll see a notification if someone responds here or like or whatever. Great article as always!
Thank you, brother! Always appreciated! Good point about IG engagement!
Oyes, Sarlos--Chicano is not metaphysical state of being, Chicanismo is un proceso con sus sesos or por que la cultura cura, as the artist and poet and song master Jose Montoya, El general of the Royal Chicano Air Force would say. There're very definite regional variations and have you honestly read "On Culture" by the Chicano intellectual Juan Gomez Quinones--check out his 2012 book Indigenous Quotient Stalking Words: American Indian Heritage as Future. (Aztlan Libre Press, San Antonio)
I know Aztlan Libre - good gente. Thanks.
I feel you, i also had a pretty interesting upbringing. I was born SoCal, but a very young age my parents decided to go back to their native Guanajuato, illegally. Almost like a reverse wetback.
I grew up like a normal poor Mexican kid but as soon as my friends found i was born in the USA, i was often referred as el Americano and not in a good way.
'89 we came back legally illegally to the US. And then again i was just another Mexican anchor baby. Although as i grew up i started to consider myself Chicano.
When i joined the Army, it was a very eye opening experience. I would say that i was Mexican but also that i was Chicano. To me my chicanismo might have ruffled and feathers. But like Popeye said "I yasm who i yasm. "
I really don't considered myself American or Mexican but i am definitely not ashamed by any means of both my parent countries. I am human above all then chicano then whatever my family, friends and everyone considers me.
Powerful SJ! I’m first generation even though my Jefita and Nina grew up as Chicanas. My Abuelo taught me about my Native side of 3 tribes from Mexico, but he too told me I was a Chicano. My Nina was a Brown Beret and walked out of LHTS. She ingrained into me that I was a Chicano since I could understand what it meant. I grew up born in 69 but really the ‘70s and Chicano is all I know that I am. My entry in the Corps I marked other and put Chicano same with Pacific Bell in 1989. My granddaughter is like me. Now she embraces our blood, but calls herself Chicana which in Texas confuses people. Can’t wait for the book. I’ll be getting a copy for me and hopefully an autograph inspiration for my granddaughter. ✊🏽