This Throwback Thursday we revisit Episode 16 of the podcast, where we talk about the various attacks on Chicano Indigeneity, and ways we can counter them!
Chicano Indigeneity
Sadly, the latest online trend within the “woke” and “Latinx” crowd is to relentlessly attack Chicanas and Chicanos who identify as Indigenous. Given the fact that being Indigenous is a cornerstone of Chicana-Chicano identity (and is manifested in our culture, language, traditions, ancestry, systems of kinship, and our connections to the land), I find such attacks…curious to say the least.
The basic argument goes something like this: Chicanas, Chicanos, and Chicanx folks did not grow up in traditional Indigenous communities, and therefore can only call themselves “Indigenous descendants” and not actual “Indigenous people.” Apparently, there is only one “authentic” Indigenous lived experience, regardless of how history has played out for the Mesoamerican diaspora. This bizarre bit of wordplay ignores the entirety of Chicana-Chicano history and reeks of identity policing at its worst. Interestingly, this assault on Chicana-Chicano Indigenous identity is practically identical to right-wing talking points that seek to deny Chicana-Chicanos our Indigenous cultural inheritance.
It is certainly unfortunate that a handful of “latinxers” and Indigenous gatekeepers have taken it upon themselves to police Indigenous identity as it relates to the Chicano communityt. In doing so, they are sowing deep divisions among people who should be working together. And quite frankly, I think their argument just isn’t very well thought out.
In this episode we defend Chicano Indigeneity from such attacks.
Your Hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
@kurlytlapoyawa
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Support the Show.
Find us: https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromAztlantis
Merch: https://chimalli.storenvy.com/
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking (Amazon)
Episode 58: Mexican Elections & Right Wing Politics W/ Dr. Luis Herran Avila Part 1!
Dispatches From Aztlantis! Life and Death on the Border
🔒 BONUS: Burning Paradise Ep. 3 "Night of The Comet"
Throwback Thursday: Rescuing the Tonalamatl Aubin
Episode 57: Aztecs vs Samurai Pirates?
Special Throwback: Cinco de Mayo!
Fear & Loathing at the SAAs with Dr. Marijke Stoll!
Episode 56: Four Things to Know About the Mexika Calendar!
Throwback Thursday: Hijacking History
🔒 BONUS: Burning Paradise Ep. 2 "Fortress"
Throwback Thursday: Graham Hancock & Atlantis Reborn!
Episode 55: Eclipse Apocalypse!
Dispatches From Aztlantis! Authentic Aztec Codices and Bad Maya Forgeries
🔒 BONUS: Burning Paradise Ep. 1 "The Warriors"
Throwback Thursday: Hunab Ku, Ometeotl, and the Vocabulary of Conquest
Episode 54: Return to Aztlantis!
Episode 53: Hispanic Heritage Month
Episode 52: Christopher Columbus & The Indians of God!
Episode 51: American Homeboy w/ Brandon Loran Maxwell
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
History Obscura
Historycal: Words that Shaped the World
The Rest Is History
Lore