AUGUST 29, 1970 When I learned about the Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam – graduate researcher

AUGUST 29, 1970
When I learned about the Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War as a student at San Bernardino Valley College, its history forever impacted and changed the trajectory of my life. In addition, it empowered me to want to serve my community by becoming an educator. I hope you find what will drive you to succeed, students, as this important history did for me.
Los Angeles Times Reporter and KMEX-TV News Director
If time allows, I encourage you to watch the 52:16 minute documentary Chicano! Quest for a Homeland because it is such a powerful history. However, because I know you have much on your plate, the assignment portion may be found, by moving your cursor to 43:16 where Ruben Salazar is speaking all the way to the end of the documentary.
Chicano! Quest for a Homeland Link
(Links to an external site.)
The 9 minute section above coincides with the opening of Chapter 7 of Always Running. Read pages 160 to 163 where Luis J. Rodriguez writes, “. . . mattresses were set on fire” (163).
Once again, if time allows, I encourage you to watch the 53:54 minute documentary Chicano! Taking Back the Schools because it is another powerful segment of Chicana/o History. And once again, the assignment portion may be found, by moving your cursor to 14:00 where Dr. Ernesto Galarza is speaking to where Sal Castro speaks at 20:08, saying “In the morning, as I walked in the school, as the bell rang for the kids to go to school, into the classroom, out they went. Kids from all over different hallways and everything else, they went out in the streets. With their heads held high. With dignity. It was beautiful to be a Chicano that day.”
Chicano! Taking Back the Schools Link
(Links to an external site.)
The 6 minute section above also coincides with Chapter 7 of Always Running. Read pages 164 below the Pachuco Crosses to 166 above the Pachuco Crosses where Luis writes, “And for a time, for a most productive and wonderful time, gang violence stood at a standstill. For a time it appeared the internal warfare had given way to the struggle for land, language and liberty — when we had something more important to fight for” (166).
After you have seen the 9 minute section and 6 minute section for a total of 15 minutes, do the following:
For FULL POINTS, leave a meaningful comment (5 SENTENCES MINIMUM) discussing both documentary segments in relation to the pages of Always Running Chapter 7 mentioned above by Tuesday evening April 26, 2022 no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Although you may submit until Wednesday, May 4, 2022 no later than 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time with no penalty.
The goal is to understand more deeply the events happening when Luis was coming up as a young man.
Because two documentary videos are involved in this discussion, you will have two full weeks to watch and develop your comment. Please do watch both clips totaling 15 minutes. Life Happens Grace Period Already Embedded into the Due Date.
Sample:
As a Chicano student myself, I found both of these videos very inspiring to help my community and stand up for my people. The Chicano Moratorium was the largest anti-war rally ever held in the minority community. It was considered a Chicano riot for police, and it was considered a police riot for the Chicanos. After reading, pages 160 – 63 in the book Always Running and watching the “Quest for a Homeland” video, I saw what Luis went through in a stronger way. Something that shocked me was when the police incarcerated Luis and some other kids around his age in prison with rapists and murderers. The second documentary, “Taking Back the Schools,” and pages and 164 – 66 made me realize how lucky I am to have the education I have today. The walkout was a political act that consisted of students leaving their classrooms and protesting. The students were yelling, “Chicano Power!” and “We want change!” All of the Chicanos wanted a change for better education. They showed to be Chicanos with dignity and stood up for what they believed in. The walkouts changed Luis, too.