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: Host Armando Gutierrez interviews Dr. Ramon Saldivar on the history and development of Chicano Literature. He defines Chicano literature, which is a relatively new development, primarily by the background of its author and whether or not he or she identifies as Chicano. Dr. Saldivar defines Chicano literature, which is a relatively new development, primarily by the background of its author and whether or not he or she identifies as Chicano. Chicano literature has been influenced by a variety of sources, including U.S. culture and Latin American literatures. He explains that it really emerged in the late 1950s, with the publication of Pocho, and almost simultaneously other literary genres, including poems and drama, appeared. While most Chicano literature deals with social issues, at least initially it was concerned with the characters and their development. Dr. Saldivar also explains that most Chicano literature is bilingual. He then discusses the various genres of Chicano literature and their development. He explains that Chicano theatre began in the fields, but has now distanced itself somewhat from its early revolutionary aims. The novel is currently the most popular genre in part because it is able to reflect the complexity of the Chicano experience more easily than poetry or drama. He then explores some of the major Chicano works. Dr. Saldivar says that Chicanas are also very active in producing literature, in particular poetry and drama. Dr. Saldivar believes that because of sociological and historical reasons, Chicano literature still has to establish its authenticity and validity to U.S. audiences, although audiences abroad regard the genre very highly. Dr. Saldivar believes that in the future, the novel will continue to occupy a major place in Chicano literature. Keywords: 1960s, American Culture, Art Activism, Bilingual Literature, Black Writers, Bless me, Ultima, Chicana Authors, Chicano Literature, Chicano Poetry, Chicano Writers, Corrido, Cultural Reawakening, Drama, Estampas del Valle y Otras Obras, Feminism, Feminist Writing, Generaciones y Semblanzas, German literary critics, Heidelberg, Germany, International Interest in American Minorities, John Nichols, Jose Antonio Villarreal, Latin American Literature, Mexican Literature, Milagro-Beanfield War, Novel, Novelas Chicanas, Novelas Chicanescas, Pocho, Poetry, Premio Casa de las Americas, Revolutionary Theatre, Rolando Hinojosa, Rolando Hinojosa Smith, Rudolfo Anaya, Rural Life, The Chicano Movement, Theatre, Themes, Tomas Rivera, U.S. literature, Urban Life, Wurzburg, Germany, Y no se lo tragó la tierra. Broadcast date: 1978-10-11.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Gutiérrez, Armando (host), and Saldívar, Ramón. (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
10/11/1978
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, 28 seconds
Rights - Use and Reproduction:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Language:
English
Place of Publication:
Austin (Tex.)
Topic:
American literature--Mexican American authors, Literatura estadounidense--Autores mexicanos americanos, Mexican Americans in literature, and Bilingual authors
Time Period Covered:
1950-1959, 1960-1969, and 1970-1979
Place Name:
Texas, Heidelberg (Germany), and Würzburg (Germany)