We still face civil rights issues as Mexican Americans. Our world is filled with hate and disgust toward our minorities. In 2016, it was shocking to learn who the next president would be. Mexican Americans have been fighting for rights and standing up to what they believe in since 2016. Mexican Americans, who have always been fighting for equality, especially in the modern workplace, education system, and social circles, are now more aware of this.
In the late 1960s, the East Los Angeles California school system was the focus of the movie “Walkout”. During the 1960’s, Mexican Americans suffered horribly. Mexican Americans were viewed as poor, uneducated and second class citizens by many. We see in the film many situations and issues that Mexican American students or “Chicanos” had to deal with at their schools. Parents can trust their children to be educated and safe in schools, but this is not the case for Mexican Americans. The “Chicanos” felt mistreated every day, so decided to fight against it. The movie is based on the four characteristics that make Mexican American Art so powerful. The title of “Walkout”, refers back to the student walkouts from four East Los Angeles high school to make their voices heard. For this film to depict the real walkouts, it was necessary to reenact why the students were forced to walk out. In order to better explain the reasons, they use the fourth trait “Expose and Show Oppression”. The film shows how students were punished physically if they chose to speak Spanish in class instead of English. It was a bad thing that they were Mexican Americans because of their Spanish. They were bullied and shamed every day because they are Chicanos. Walkout also demonstrates how textbooks in schools are inaccurate and leave out all things Mexican Americans. These textbooks were so old-fashioned that they basically proved to Americans how little Mexican Americans matter. The students were not even able to learn about Chicanos at that time. Since they could speak, read and write in English, the libraries at their schools had very little in Spanish. Students were not allowed to use the bathrooms during certain hours. These examples expose the truth of the conditions Mexican Americans faced at school. Again, schools should be places of safety, not torture.
They were treated like animals when they threw objects at these students for standing up for what was right, fighting for injustices and equality. They never give in to the ridicule and abuse they receive, not even when their second walkout became violent. The walkouts are part of Mexican American History because they fought a long, hard battle.
The inequality Mexican Americans experienced will forever be etched in history. The third characteristic of the film is “Create racial and social pride”. Sal Castro is the teacher who motivates students at the start of the movie to improve the Mexican American graduating rate. He reads “I Am Joaquin”, which reflects on the hardships that Mexican Americans, Chicanos and other minorities have experienced throughout history.
The Chicano movement was made up of many important people. The powerful and inspiring words in the poem make you proud to be Mexican American. The third walkout is another scene which truly demonstrates Chicano strength. The police block the students’ exit from the school. The student’s parents, siblings, and grandparents are united as one in holding both the Mexican and American flags. This scene is very touching and shows how Mexican Americans are united.
Last but not least, demonstrating an oppositional way of thinking/questioning authority. This film is about how Mexican Americans’ lives are changing. The only way to do this is by standing up against the authorities and refusing to accept their authority. They held on even though they were constantly being attacked by the cops. They stood firm to prove their point. The principal of the school threatened to expel her if the student walked out. While the school wanted everyone to ignore the walkout, the students did not.
This is an important piece of history. The walkouts and the inequality that Mexican Americans had to face back then are not well known. Although racism and prejudice towards Mexican Americans still exist, the situation has changed.
