Brief history of Mexican-American terminology
Prior to the emergence of the term, Chicano. The identity of Mexican-Americans was limited and restricted to the narrative of the colonizers.
Mexican-Americans could either choose to assimilate by accepting the United States Census Bureau default of “White” as their race. Or, Mexican-Americans could choose the option of “Other” as their race.
In either case, Mexican-Americans were viewed as foreigners on lands whose borders crossed them due to the combination of the Mexican Cession in 1848. The U.S stole California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and other parts of states from Mexico. Along with the entitled mindset known as the Manifest Destiny of 1845-1847. This was a false belief that Anglo-Saxon’s had been given the right by God to expand and colonize.
Chicano Movement: Empowerement
In the mid-1960’s, Mexican-Americans took ownership over their identity by claiming themselves as Chicano.
According to Cambridge University, Chicano/a/x means “a person born in the U.S from Mexican decendants”. This is not to be confused with the term Hispanic which gives power to the Spaniard colonizers.
Notable Chicano activist that gave wave to the empowerment of the term Chicano/a/x include but is not limited to Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta. They lead the way for other Chicano’s to gain back their identity.
Below is a link to Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales poem, “I am Joaquin”. His poem captured perfectly the raw essence of what it meant to be a Mexican-American in the 1960’s.
https://www.latinamericanstudies.org/latinos/joaquin.htm
“I am Joaquin” by Gonzales, Rodolfo, 1928-2005. I Am Joaquin : [an Epic Poem]. [Place of publication not identified] :R. Gonzales, 1991.
Evolution of the term Chicano
Now in 2022, the term Chicano has evolved to being inclusive. The last letter can be interchangeable to recognize pronouns. This has given rise to Chicana and Chicanx.
I personally identify as a Chicana in a singular form while preferring Chicanx in a plural form.