Chicano Literature: the theme of cultural resistance
Description:
The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Juan Rodriguez, a professor in the Center for Mexican American Studies, discusses the development of Chicano literature and poet Raul Salinas reads some of his work. Rodriguez explains that Chicano literature largely reflects its working class origins. He then discusses the different types of Chicano literature. He explains that it originated in the late 19th century and is infused with Chicano struggles against Anglo domination in the southwest. This theme appears in multiple genres of Chicano literature, including corridos, legends, and jokes, which were passed on orally and only later recorded. He argues that because of limited educational opportunities, Chicanos did not fully develop a written literary tradition until after World War II. In the mid-1960s, poetry became the most popular form of Chicano literature, in part because activists could easily incorporate poems into political speeches, demonstrations or newspapers. Salinas then reads from his poem, 'Un trip through the Mind Jail.'. Rodriguez next discusses drama and its popularity among Chicanos. He traces its roots to Luis Valdez' Teatro Campesino which appealed to Chicanos of various class backgrounds. Rodriguez also explains the novel's limited appeal in the middle of the century. Rodriguez then discusses the popularity of cultural resistance as a theme in Chicano literature. He explains that contemporary Chicano writers have sought to use their work to educate the community about its indigenous heritage. Rodriguez concludes with a brief discussion of recent efforts to increase the distribution of Chicano literature. Keywords: Actos, Alurista, American Indian Movement, Americo Paredes, Aztecs, Baile Folklorico, Barrio Life, Carta Abierta, Center for Mexican American Studies, Cesar Chavez, Chicano Drama, Chicano Indigenous Heritage, Chicano Literary Movements, Chicano Literature, Chicano Markets, Chicano Movement, Chicano Novels, Chicano Poetry, Chicano Publishers, Chicano Writers, Class and Art, Conflict, Corky Gonzalez, Corridos, Cultural Resistance, Dance, Delano, California, Denver, Colorado, Ethnoliterature, Folk Tales, Folklore, Jokes, Juan Rodriguez, Juan Rodriguez, Las Dos Caras del Patron, Legend, Luis Valdez, Mayas, Middle Class, Novel, Oral Tradition, Political demonstrations, Prisons, Raul Salinas, Raul Salinas, San Antonio, Texas, Socially Conscious Art, Teatro Campesino, The Two Faces of the Patron, Un Trip Through the Mind Jail, United Farm Workers, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan, Working Class, World War II. Broadcast date: 1980-10-15.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Fregoso, Rosa Linda. (host), Rodríguez, Juan (interviewee), and Raúlrsalinas 1934-2008 (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
10/14/1980
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin
sound recordings, grabaciones sonoras, radio programs, programas de radio, and Audio
Extent:
24 minutes, 32 seconds
Rights - Use and Reproduction:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Language:
English
Place of Publication:
Austin (Tex.)
Topic:
Corridos, American literature--Mexican American authors, Literatura estadounidense--Autores mexicanos americanos, American poetry--Mexican American authors, Poesía estadounidense--Autores mexicanos americanos, Prisoners as authors, and Social movements in literature