Chicano facts for kids

"Chicana" redirects here. For the wrestler, see Sangre Chicana.

A Chicano is a person who has a mixed ancestry and/or citizenship of the United States and usually Mexico. Often, Chicano and Mexican-American are used to mean the same thing. People from Central or South America and United States could also be called Chicano. Chicana is the female version of Chicano. Chicanos often speak in Spanglish.

Notable Chicanos

Chicanos have made contributions to many fields, spanning arts, culture, sports, technology, and politics.

Gloria E. Anzaldúa, author
Ana Castillo, author
Sandra Cisneros, author
George Lopez, comedian
Lynda Carter, actress played Wonder Woman
Rudolfo Anaya, novelist

Images for kids

El Paso's Second Ward, a Chicano neighborhood (1972).
Closeup of the Gutiérrez 1562 New World map. The town of Chicana is listed in the upper left of the map, which is the earliest recorded usage of Chicana/o.
The Chicano Movement situated itself in the masculine body, which has been critiqued by Chicana feminists.
Author Luis J. Rodriguez refers to Xicanx as the most recent incarnation of Chicano.
A "Chicano Power!" by M.E.Ch.A. CSULA is held up in a crowd (2006)
Brown Beret in Fresno, California for No on Prop 187 (1994)
"Water is sacred. Water is life." Mural in Chicano Park under the Coronado Bridge.
Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca at the San Francisco Carnaval Grand Parade in Mission District.
The Cuban Revolution was an inspirational event to many Chicanas/os as a challenge to American imperialism.
Local coverage of the Chicano Moratorium.
March against Proposition 187 in Fresno, California (1994)
The U.S.-government-funded Bracero program (1942-64) was lobbied for by grower associations in an effort to destroy local organizing efforts and depress the wages of domestic Mexican and Chicano/a farmworkers.
Company housing for Mexican cotton pickers on a large ranch in Corcoran, California (1940)
Chicano/a demonstrators marching for farmworkers with United Farm Workers Union signs.
Sal Castro (1933-2013) inspired the East L.A. walkouts.
"What is the role of the Chicana in the movement? The men ... only think of her when they need some typing done or when their stomachs growl."
"Blue Race," Chicano Park
Gloria E. Anzaldúa's concept of spiritual activism calls upon using spirituality to create social change.
Artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña
Please, Don't Bury Me Alive! (1976) is considered to be the first Chicano feature film.
Rudolfo Anaya (1937-2020) was one of the founders of Chicano literature.
Author and professor Emma Pérez (2018)
Lisa Coleman
DJ Tranzo (2008)
Baby Bash (2010)
David Garza
Luis Valdez is considered to be the father of Chicano theater.
Carlos Almaraz, 1974
Murals at Estrada Courts
Los Angeles Plaza Park, 2014
The Arch of Dignity, Equality, and Justice by Judy Baca at San José State University