Author: Inked Teacher

The “new” Americans were subjected to segregation, voter suppression, economic inequalities and inequities, violence, and death throughout the remaining 19th century up to and including the 21st Century.

Mexican American is a term meant to identify ethnicity. However, the initial use of the word was used to differentiate between Americans viewed and considered White and those that were not. Consequently, race was a point of demarcation, not ethnicity. While many ethnic groups did have hyphenated identities within the first few decades of arriving on US soil, communities of color were the ones relegated to hyphenated names for decades well into and beyond the century mark after their immigrant ancestors came to the United States.  

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If we are all Americans – why the hyphenation? And, if it is about ethnicity and race, why are all groups not subjected to hyphenated identities? 

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Historically, for example, the Spanish participated in the American Revolution, Cuban women (unders Spanish control) donated personal wealth to the same war – and not even a footnote in American history books. 

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This episode, “Mexican American: a historical context” is the first of a three part series. Click below or download the discussion about where the term Mexican American came from and how it was used, and why any of this is important….

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Welcome to the conversation….

References : The books below are suggested readings.

Acuna, R. F., Acuña, R., & Acuna, R. (2000). Occupied America: A history of chicanos. Longman Publishing Group.

Anzaldúa, G. (2012). Borderlands: The new mestiza.

García, M. T. (1982). Desert immigrants: The mexicans of El Paso, 1880-1920. Yale University Press.

Gonzalez, D. J. (2001). Refusing the favor: The Spanish-Mexican women of Santa Fe, 1820-1880. Oxford University Press.

Martinez, O. J. (2011). Border boom town: Ciudad Juarez since 1848. University of Texas Press.

Pérez, E. (1999). The Decolonial imaginary: Writing chicanas into history. Indiana University Press.

Ruiz, V. L., & Ruíz, V. (2008). From out of the shadows: Mexican women in twentieth-century America. OUP USA.

Sánchez, G. J., & Sanchez, G. J. (1995). Becoming Mexican American: Ethnicity, culture, and identity in Chicano Los Angeles, 1900-1945. OUP USA.

Over time, the realization that most of how my identity came into being was not of my own mind or hand through reflection and converstion with my parents. Consequently, I have no doubt that

Much of my education seems premised in shaping my history, identity, and understanding of what my existence should be – rather than what is was (then) or at the moment (now). Accordingly, I share my reflections and memories about the things that had an effect on my idenity throughout my life. Then, those ideas and memories are talked about along side and mixed in with ideas and understanding about American history that include but not limited to economics, politics, culture, and technology. Moreover, the converstions are not just about the past but present and future as well.

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My father use to say that education of the masses begins with education of the self. My mother reminds me that we are not always where we want to be but where we are needed most. As usual – they are right. So, let’s have at it.

The Profe Podcast: the mis-education of adrián aragonés is a space where anything and everything related to Mexicans, Mexican Americans, Chicanas, Chicanos, and Chicanx within the context of American history. While our conversations will engage particular perspectives and perceptions, pláticas /conversations always consider other communities. But, I like to speak to that which I am familiar, part of, and identify as: Mexican, Mexican American, and Chicano.

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As pláticas engage a plethora of materials, ideas, communities, cultures, and such – the goal here is not to adhere to established norms and socially constructed precepts that impede histories, silences voices, or creates and perpetuates falsehoods. Instead, The Profe Podcast investigates, interrogates, and looks for credible information for the benefit of creating an informed understanding about an idea at hand. Understanding something does not mean we accept or support something. Instead, understanding creates an opportunity to discern things for ourselves.

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The "Intro 2.0" coming soon! 

Saludos!

Inked Teacher.