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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.
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Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking (Amazon)
Dispatches From Aztlantis: STOP erasing Chicanos and Mexican Americans!
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Episode 29: Acequias - A Forgotten History!
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Episode 28: Aztlan Libre Press w/ Juan Tejeda
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Episode 27: The Immaculate Deception Part 2!
Episode 26: The Immaculate Deception Part 1
Episode 25: Peopling the Americas w/ Dr. Jennifer Raff!
Premium Episode 3: The Mexika Calendar w/ Ruben Ochoa (Full Episode!)
Episode 24: Forging Aztecness, Danza Azteca history with Kristina Nielsen
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Episode 21: Believe Native Women!
Episode 12: The lost Episode of Aztlan!
Bonus Mini-Cast #1: The Hispanic Population Myth!
Episode 20: Nawatl Language Mistranslations!
Episode 19: Fascist Right Wing Movements in Mexico!
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