Chicano Movement In The 1960s

In the 1960s, the Chicano movement started to gain momentum. Chicanos began banding together to protect others while discovering their own self-identity. One source says that, a newfound gratitude for Chicano culture was detected. It goes on to state that, a “cultural rebirth was proclaimed” which had been provoked by “rediscovery” and an acknowledgement of their collective indigenous roots. The author adds that, it was a chance to uncover “a positive self-definition” (Rodriguez, "Building Aztlan: Chicano Movement Springs Back to Life"). Furthermore, in the 1960s, nothing could slow down the Chicano movement once it had sparked. So much so, that Rodriguez claims that it “led to colleges and universities becoming targets of protest” and the

Rudolfo Anaya is a big contributor, as well as many others, that led to a role model any Chicano can relate to. Anaya is New Mexican and puts his background into his Chicano stories. For example, he wanted to include oral storytellers in his book. As a boy he revealed that he listened “to cuentistas, oral storytellers, and wanted to bring their magic into his writing” (“Anaya, Rudolfo A. 1937”). In addition, other Chicanos have thanked him for the exposure. For instance, “Latin American Literary Review 's Daniel Testa,” had expressed gratitude towards “Anaya 's use of old Spanish-American, specifically Chicano, tales in his book” (“Anaya, Rudolfo A. 1937”). However, Rudolfo Anaya isn’t the only inspirational Chicano figure. Chicana writers, also encouraged the discovery of self-identity feminism within the movement. One source states that, authors such as, Bernice Zamora, Dorinda Moreno, and other Chicana writers had a significant impact in the movement. It goes on to state that “the intensity of Chicana feminist became heightened” with works such as Bloodroot (1977) and The Invitation (1979). Within each book, it questions the message of “culture and gender” (Louelí, “An Interpretive Assessment of Chicano Literature and Criticism”). Clearly, positive figures influenced how the Chicano community acted then and now. Rudolfo Anaya and other Chicano writers