Viva La Raza: A History of Chicano Identity and Resistance

by Yolanda Alaniz, Megan Cornish

Literary Nonfiction. Political Science. Latino/Latina Studies. LGBT Studies. A lively and accessible investigation of Mexican American militancy from the U.S. occupation of Northern Mexico in the 19th century to civil rights struggles in the present era. The authors describe monumental labor battles, survey the Raza youth movement, focus attention on the role of women, and examine issues such as police brutality, the emergence of Chicana/o lesbians and gays, and the role of radical organizations, while also exploring hotly debated theories about the source of discrimination against Chicanos. VIVA LA RAZA reveals the workings of race and nationality in the United States in relation to people of Mexican ancestry, a group that is too little understood though its members comprise this country's second largest population of people of color.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

A moderately useful survey of the Chicano movement with a strongly Trotskyist and feminist perspective. I respect the authors' willingness to forthrightly offer their own analysis and opinions, but don't like the analysis.

[Jason Carrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a young, Chicano male of Mexican and Central American descent, I was very excited to read this book. I enjoyed how the information wasn’t only focused on the “La Raza” movement, but also the history of Latin America(s) for the past hundreds of years. I absorbed more information than I ever have in my years of schooling. I was engaged in the topic of Native Americans and the Mexican-American war. The effects of colonization in the generations of Latin-Americans made me want to research more about topics like the Zoot-Suit riots for example. I have to say that the constant communist views and opinions throughout the book did upset me a bit. I feel as if the information was in a way skewed because of Feminist and Trotsky type views and opinions. I wish the book would have been more ‘neutral’ and less of the author throwing their views throughout the information. Overall, the book was interesting and if anyone would like to learn more about Latin-American cultures throughout history, this book would be ideal for them as long as they read with an open mind.

[AnitaDurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has really amazing history of the chican@ movement. it doesn't hold back in its criticisms of Stalinists in the movement, sexism and cultural nationalism, even talking about the work of Cesar Chavez and his anti-immigrant tendencies (calling la migra on some folks for "stealing jobs", wtf!?). a lot of really interesting labor history- with stuff you don't read about in school including a lot of labor victories(!)
it has opened my eyes and i look forward to referencing and re-reading it throughout my revolutionary career.