Chicano Studies Programs example essay topic

The first article I have chosen is, "Juncture in the road: Chicano Studies Since: "El plan de Santa Barbara" by Ignacio M. Garcia. I have chosen this particular article for various reasons. One is because reading the first few paragraphs of the article stirred up many emotions within me. I found myself growing angry and once, again, repulsed by the United States discrimination system. The more knowledge I obtain on the United States, on its past and how it develops today, I can finally say that I resent everything it stands for and embarrassed being part of it.

I would rather say that I am a country of one... myself. The second reason for choosing this article, was because it was an easy read for me as well as the topic being discussed was intriguing. The first paragraph gives the readers and idea of the growing interest on Chicano Studies. It's has developed over the course of twenty-six years and obtaining more non-chicano intellectuals that have absolutely no connection thus having no clue if studying the history of Chicanos. Part of the reason for everyone's sudden interest in Chicano Studies is to integrate it into a larger ethnic study programs. The downfall of integrating the studies is that it places limitations on other courses that intervene with the major academic departments.

The new development of Chicano Studies is really an excuse to teach genuine studies and to allow teachers to implement connected programs to receive a permanent status within their careers. Another part of keeping Chicano Studies in succession is to deliberately undermine its true meaning as well as keep it understaffed and under financed. This situation diminishes the programs ability to do community service for further future developments. This is critical for the readers to know the show the bias, injustice, and premeditated ignorance of the United States educational system. It also demonstrates that Chicano Studies is not important regardless of the Hispanic population in this supposed "free" country. It seems as if the Chicano Studies was made only to fail by keeping it under funded and understaffed.

By doing so, it has an affect on keeping away good scholars to maintain the historical development of Hispanics in the United States as well as its own history. When the Chicano programs do get a minimal break such as receiving enough funding, gain departmental status, and have courses be part of the general education requirements, there would some body in the shadows sneering at the progress. There would be some antagonistic faculty members because the program would have to compete with other programs to receive academia resources. As mentioned in class, UWM has jumped on the Chicano Studies bandwagon as well.

However, just like the article, it too is short sandwiches of a picnic to correctly advance the academic development for the Chicano community. It has a weak support from cultural departments and is jointed to other departments. This may cause confusion among university students who may want to major in obtaining a solid degree in Chicano / Hispanic studies. The ending result could have many students in limbo when only three to four Chicano courses are given. To understand the importance to maintain Chicano Studies is to know its history. This includes its strengths, weaknesses and some concerns that continued to be faced within the Chicano Studies itself.

The Chicano Studies was first developed by various individuals who were members of "Mexican American Generation". Those individuals had been influenced by anthropologists on Chicanos during the 1940's. It wasn't until the Chicano Movement in California during the late 1960's that caught the attention of scholars studying the Chicano experience within their own country as well in the United States. I believe this is critical information for the reader to know because it shows how self engrossed the United States really is. It took a movement to get the United States attention and to really change its behavior towards Chicanos. Although it's just the tip of the iceberg, it is the beginning of a long awaited change.

It also shows that the United States is oppressing its people merely because they aren't naturally born American An glos. My option... it's all ludicrous! The second article I have chosen is, "Actors Not Victims: Chicanos / os and the struggle for Educational Equality" by Guadalupe San Miguel. I have chosen this particular I found myself being genuinely interested in the topic and it was easy for me to follow. I will summarize the article to what I think is important of what the author is trying to get to the readers. I will also incorporate class discussions and personal insight.

San Miguel started out the article with a brief history of the Chicano Movement in the mid-1960's. He states, the general interpretation was comprised of individuals from local communities wanting change for the working class youth and students. Its overall goal was to challenge and reject the United States system. In challenging the system, Mexican American high school students displayed their opposition to the discrimination they " ve been experiencing in the educational system while the university students protest against the lack of minority enrollment and to obtain Chicano Studies programs. In the process of protesting for Chicano educational rights, Mexicans lobbied, litigated for changes in the structures and polices of the public school system.

At the federal level, the middle class Mexican Americans sought to expand and strengthen educational policies that were in their interest, pressured the federal government, filed lawsuits against the segregation in the local school districts, and were even able to persuade a private investigation on the discrimination against the injustice towards Mexican Americans in schools. Through much time and strong persistence, Mexican Americans were able to obtain a mild success. They were able to expand the educational system that targeted Mexican American children and have the status of Mexican Americans and their culture published. Because of their placid success, the federal government got involved in school reform in means of constructing bilingual education as a minor piece of legislation which grew into important in school reform. San Miguel believes the struggle for educational equality was a contradictory process in which it produced mixed results.

On one hand, the fight against discrimination challenges assimilation. On the other hand, the delegation for education challenged the prejudiced structures and the procedures. In the end, the fight meant well, however due to governmental opposition, it did not success as much as it should have. The better side of the fight is that it corrected the exclusion of Mexican Americans and their heritage is now getting some mild recognition.

In comparing the two articles, they both give a brief history of what Mexican Americans had to endure and in some ways, they remain fighting for the right recognition they deserve. San Miguel and Garcia believe there were mild successes in the Chicano Movement due to different goals on similar sides. The under classed individuals were fighting for equality in academics and among the faculty staff whereas the middle class Mexican Americans were fighting for better policies and file lawsuits. The similarities aspect is both articles are obvious.

They were fighting for a great cause~ equality for the Mexican Americans in school, in the work force and politically. The Mexican / Chicano Movement was changing the path for future Mexican American children in small but yet in great ways. The Chicano movement was created to obtain a variety of educational goals such as including reduction of school drop-out rates, improvement of educational attainment, development of bilingual-bi cultural programs, expansion of higher education fellowships, creation of courses and programs in Chicano studies, and an increase in the number of Chicano teachers and administrators. Every year, the Mexican American population increased thus it is challenged, assimilated, and rejected by both sides of the world.

The Mexican Americans has to not only struggle against policies but practices that differ to their political and cultural interests. So in a way, the Chicano Movement dormant ly continues today. When the right time arises once again, Chicanos / Mexican Americans will liberate their rights and move out of the poverty, , and identity crisis.