#3: Debating Chicano v. Latino v. Mexica v. Hispanic v. Mexican American

Since many ECHs struggle with their identity as soon as they find out they need an identity,  debating what all Chicanos should be called has been a pastime at conferences, student group meetings, marches, McDonald’s, and, of course, the house party. The ECHs will yell at each other, claim the others are sellouts for not using the “right” term, and leave believing that all ECHs will one day see the light when Chicanos become the majority in the U.S. (Exactly. . . just like in Mexico where everyone agrees politically and where they have no problems).

Let’s take the Chicano v. Latino v. Mexica v. Hispanic v. Mexican American debate at the house party. Setting around the table drinking and smoking out are the Community Activist, the Politico, the Crazy-Ass MEChista/artist who never graduates from college, the Banker and the Professor.  The Community Activist blurts out that Chicanos need to unify or something. That sparks the Politico to say, wait, I prefer being called Latino so we can build coalitions!  The Crazy-Ass MEChista/artist who never graduates from college (and also has a goatee) says, you sellouts! We’re from the Mexica people and we’re indigenous! All of us from Chicago to San Diego should call ourselves Mexica! The Banker says naw, man. Let’s go with Hispanic. It’s less confrontational and more friendly. Plus, the government uses it. The Professor says, or we can just say Mexican American since it says it all.

After much yelling, the Community Activist storms away from the table. The Politico gets paranoid. The Crazy-Ass MEChista/artist who never graduates from college passes out. The Banker is hungry. The Professor is bored. Meanwhile, outside, another barrio home is foreclosing. Abuela is rushed to the hospital and still has no insurance.  Another group of workers get picked up in a raid. And someone forgot to read to little five-year-old Sandra before she went to bed.