Chicano

Chicano is a term used primarily in the United States to refer to people of Mexican origin or descent, particularly those who identify with a cultural and political consciousness tied to Mexican American history. The term is commonly associated with pride in Mexican heritage and a commitment to social justice, rather than a mere ethnic label. Women who identify similarly may use Chicana, and some prefer gender-inclusive forms such as Chicanx.

The modern use of Chicano arose in the 1960s during the Chicano Movement (El Movimiento), which sought civil rights, labor organization, education reform, and political representation for Mexican Americans in the Southwest. The movement drew on a history of disenfranchisement and mobilized communities through student activism and community organizing, including farmworker organizing led by figures such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

Chicano culture has produced distinctive forms of art, literature, music, and cinema that blend Indigenous, Mexican, and American experiences. Notable writers include Rudolfo Anaya and Sandra Cisneros; Mexican American muralists and Tejano and conjunto musicians have contributed to a broad cultural repertoire.

Demographically, Chicano identity centers on populations in California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, with large communities in Illinois, New York, and other states. Major urban centers such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston have longstanding Chicano communities with visible cultural institutions, organizations, and media.

Usage of the term varies. Some see Chicano as a positive, political self-identification; others view it as outdated or too narrowly focused on Mexican origin. Some people prefer Latino, Hispanic, or Chicanx for broader or gender-inclusive identification. As with any identity label, individual preferences differ.