Becoming Mexican American: Ethnicity, Culture, and Identity in Chicano Los Angeles, 1900-1945

by George J. Sanchez

Twentieth-century Los Angeles has been the locus of one of the most profound and complex interactions between variant cultures in American history. Yet this study is among the first to examine the relationship between ethnicity and identity among the largest immigrant group to that city. By focusing on Mexican immigrants to Los Angeles from 1900 to 1945, George J. Sánchez explores the process by which temporary sojourners altered their orientation to that of permanent residents, thereby laying the foundation for a new Mexican-American culture. Analyzing not only formal programs aimed at these newcomers by the United States and Mexico, but also the world created by these immigrants through family networks, religious practice, musical entertainment, and work and consumption patterns, Sánchez uncovers the creative ways Mexicans adapted their culture to life in the United States. When a formal repatriation campaign pushed thousands to return to Mexico, those remaining in Los
Angeles launched new campaigns to gain civil rights as ethnic Americans through labor unions and New Deal politics. The immigrant generation, therefore, laid the groundwork for the emerging Mexican-American identity of their children.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Race, American History, Cultural, 20th Century, Historical

400 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 1993

About the author

George J. Sanchez is Professor of American Studies & Ethnicity, and History at the University of Southern California. His academic work focuses on both historical and contemporary topics of race, gender, ethnicity, labor, and immigration, and he is currently working on a historical study of the ethnic interaction of Mexican Americans, Japanese Americans, African Americans, and Jews in the Boyle Heights area of East Los Angeles, California in the twentieth century. He is Past President of the American Studies Association in 2001-02, and is one of the co-editors of the book series, “American Crossroads: New Works in Ethnic Studies,” from the University of California Press. He currently serves as Director of the Center for Diversity and Democracy at USC, which focuses on issues of racial/ethnic diversity in higher education and issues of civic engagement. In 2010, he received the Outstanding Latino/a Faculty in Higher Education (Research Institutions) Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, Inc. and in 2011, he received the first ever Equity Award for individuals that have achieved excellence in recruiting and retaining underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into the historical profession from the American Historical Association. He received his Ph.D. in History in 1989 from Stanford University.

Reviews

[Magally Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the summer of 1943, the Zoot Suit riots broke out in Southern California, a racial conflict involving white vitriol aimed at Mexican American countercultural youth known as pachucos. George Sanchez's history of Mexican American migrants and Chicanos at the turn of the 20th century gives us insights into the context for that incident. He argues that Mexican American migrant experience can't be understood in the same way as European migrant experiences of assimilation, or a gradual progression from "backward," non-modern and Old World ways en route to modernity in the so-called New World. Applying the insights of postmodern thinkers in the field of Chicana/o Studies, Sanchez's history portrays Mexican Americans unlike they have been portrayed before. Like anthropologist Renato Rosaldo, Sanchez begins from the acknowledgement that culture is not static and in the process explodes a number of commonsense notions including but not limited to: 1) the idea that Mexican immigrants come to the US from rural/non-modern backgrounds 2) the ida that Mexican immigrants wanted to move to the US and not return to Mexico 3) Mexican workers were "birds of transit" 4) Mexican culture is static in its patriarchal character and 5) Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty are the center of American migration.

For a book that was published 25 years ago, it's still refreshing.

[Donald Linnemeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming Mexican American is exactly what the title suggests: it's the story of the creation of the Mexican-American culture, specifically in the early 1900's in Los Angeles. This is a fascinating topic, and Sanchez pulls it off really well. He's Mexican-American himself, the son of Mexican immigrants, and his sensitivity to the nuances of the culture are very apparent throughout the book.

He's also remarkably even in his narrative. While he's certainly supportive of the Mexican-American community and points out the many flaws in how America dealt with the situation, he doesn't go overboard. He uses his sources creatively and tells his story well. Here's a quick example, where he's describing how easy it was to cross the border from Mexico into America around the turn of the century (where I start the quote, he's describing the experience of an inspector sent to observe the border patrol):

Two days later, Inspector Seraphic crossed again, noticing how little attention was paid to the movement of Mexicans across the border. While the immigration official on duty at the Stanton Street Bridge sat in his office, hundreds of Mexicans passed back and forth without inspection. After nearly an hour of observation, Seraphic reported that the official had made no attempt to leave his seat and sat inside by the stove reading a newspaper. Mike Romo, a longtime El Paso resident, remembered a similar situation on the Sante Fe Bridge. "...One evening I was coming along about 6:00 or 7:00. There was a man [there]; he was the only one at the bridge, on a soap box. Evidently he was sleeping; he had his head down. Anyway, I guess he heard me walking. He lifted up [his head] and looked at me, and then down it [went] again. They didn't bother about anything!"

[Marian P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I I am excited to share one of my favorite books in Chicanx history with you all as part of the #latinxbookstagramtour and as part of #latinxheritagemonth. USC historian George J. Sanchez’s Becoming Mexican American is a phenomenal work in Chicanx history which depicts the Los Angeles Mexican American community in the first half of the 20th century. This book covers this period as Sanchez contends it is the period when generations of Mexicans moored themselves to Los Angeles catalyzed by the tumultuous Mexican Revolution. The central premise of his work is that cultural adaptation occurred during the Great Depression despite the absence of economic and social mobility. In other words, the community anchored around the Plaza and the Boyle Heights-Belvedere corridor is a “fascinating story of cultural invention.” Despite bearing witness to such harsh historical realities as the repatriation movement of the 1930s and the Zoot Suit Riots during World War II, a unique Mexican American culture developed characterized by a brand of ambivalent Americanism.

Chapters cover a range of subjects including family life, religion, music and mass culture, and the repatriation movement. Beginning around 1930, Mexicans both voluntarily returned to Mexico and others were forcibly removed, or deported during aggressive deportation sweeps. Meticulous research by Sanchez suggests that as much as 30% of the Mexican community of LA returned. It is an ugly in our history which as unfortunate parallels today. The book is highly recommended for those interested in LA history and Chicanx history. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon on jimbotimes.com

[ariel elizabeth]

read for school. learned some new stuff but not eye-opening.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sanchez focused on the pull and push factors that contributed to the migration of so many across the border north to the United States during the first few decades of the twentieth century. During this time, these immigrants experienced attempts at groups both trying to Americanize and Mexicanize them. These immigrants would first experience the efforts to Americanize them, as seen in Los Angeles, which was then proceeded by counter attempts to Mexicanize the immigrants to maintain their loyalty and promote a return migration to Mexico. This back and forth contributed to the development of a Mexican American identity, which was evident in areas food, and clothes to give some examples, and was particularly evident in the second generation of children born in the United States. Sanchez argued the development of the Mexican American identity through their distinct culture and handling of discrimination. This Mexican American identity developed, as noted by Sanchez, in the face of the Great Depression and without great mobility economically or socially. (13)

A couple comments on the book: I particularly enjoyed the charts and maps. For example, the map on page 73 of Mexican residences in LA was particularly helpful to visualize the community layout. However, I personally thought there were too many block quotes throughout the book that were distracting to the flow of the chapters.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for understanding the push and pull forces that led Mexicans to cross the boarder to the US and back and the significant role that American businesses and government played in that. If you don't get through all of it, the first few chapters are my favorite anyway. Well researched.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical monograph of Mexican-Americans in L.A. during the twentieth century, this historical account sheds light on the complex and conflicted experiences of Mexican-Americans. It’s another fascinating read—if you’re a history nerd, like me.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Tyler Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look into the development of Chicano culture in Southern California from 1900-1945.

[Katie Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was informative. just not really my thing...