United States History from a Chicano Perspective provides students with engaging and enlightening readings that introduce them to contemporary Mesoamerica and illuminate the ways the past and present are constantly interacting within this landscape. The anthology highlights the themes of survival, resilience, and resistance, showing how Mexicans and Chicanos continue to thrive despite a history marked with grave adversity and seemingly insurmountable struggles.
The readings within the anthology trace the impacts of colonialism on Mexicans and Mexican Americans and also demonstrate how Chicanos have endured by embracing indigenous traditions and developing their own unique culture. Particular selections explore Mexican religious healing practices, the reclamation of Mesoamerican foods, identity construction in representations of Malinche, the reformation of the concept of "home" by queering Aztlán, and more. These selections examine the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, demonstrating a robust spectrum of diversity within the Mexican and Chicano experience.
United States History from a Chicano Perspective provides students with a unique lens through which to view and analyze U.S. history. It is an ideal supplementary resource for courses in U.S. history, multicultural studies, and any course with emphasis on the Chicano experience.
Angélica Yañez, Ph.D. is an assistant professor in the Multicultural Studies Department at Palomar College. She earned her doctorate degree in ethnic studies from the University of California, San Diego.
