Chicano Studies Activist Scholarship and
Latino/as and Chicano/as make up over 39 percent of California's population, making them the state's largest racial and ethnic group. To advance any electoral or political agenda, it is crucial to understand the sociocultural and sociopolitical experiences of Chicano/as and Latino/as. Issues such as labor justice, climate justice, and reforming the prison-industrial complex (including ICE) cannot be effectively addressed without recognizing the lived experiences of these communities. In electoral politics, the support of Chicana/o and Latina/o voters is vital to Democratic victories in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada. Unfortunately, many Americans lack a deep understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of Latino/a and Chicano/a people. As a consequence, groups, organizations, and structures like the California Chicana/o and Latino/a Caucus are required to promote and advocate on their behalf.
Chicana/o Studies was founded in 1969 by Dr. Rodolfo Acuña during the Civil Rights Movement, Chicano/a Studies was created. As an academic and activist discipline, Chicana/o Studies engages faculty and students who are actively involved in improving the societal needs of the Latino/a-Chicana/o community, both through activism and research. Over the years, related departments, including Latino/a Studies, Central American Studies, and Latinoa/o-Chicano/a Studies have strengthened the vision and established disciplines to support this academic endeavor among all students. Professors and scholar-activists whose research focuses on the history, politics, culture, language, community engagement, and education of the Chicano/a Latino/o people provide comprehensive knowledge that is enriching, empowering, and valuable for those engaged in developing, applying, and implementing the democratic, transformative project of equity and political representation. The work of the Chican/o and Latino/a (what are we? Not a region...)s to support the caucus through our community engagement, activism, and scholarship. Si Se Puede!
