Los Soldados: Chicanos in Vietnam Discussion
What images of Chicanos in the military have you seen in movies before watching this film?
Part1
After watching the video please answer the following questions:
Charley opens the film by saying that “[when] they want us to come out here and work in the cotton fields, they call us Mexicans. As soon as there’s a war, all of a sudden we’re Americans.” Analyze he meant by this comment?
Charlie expressed his sense of strength in his identity related to his military service when stopped by the border patrol in his hometown of Corcoran, Ca. (He pulled out his fake eye) Would you agree with the statement, “Some minorities have experienced a pattern of wanting to serve in the military to prove their patriotism and disprove negative stereotypes about their race or ethnic group.” Yes or no and explain your answer? Does this still hold true today?
Charley observes: “It seems as though they took our farm workers to go fight their farm workers.” What did he mean? List at least two connections Charley makes with some Vietnamese people, the people whose land we had invaded.
What images of Chicanos in the military have you seen in movies before watching this film?
How did the limited options available to young Chicanos in California’s San Joaquin Valley influence their choice to enlist?
How did the war change the political awareness and identity of Chicanos?
Lastly, create and post a good discussion question for #7.
Part2
Please read the above linked article. After you read the article answer the following questions:
According to the article how did Chicanos counter racist anti-Mexican rhetoric and ideology of the 60s?
Find and list here one source of public racist rhetoric today. Then state what you think it takes to counter racist anti-Brown white supremacist rhetoric today?
List three icons of the Chicano movement as mentioned in the article.
There isn’t exactly an active Chicano Movement but considering the current political and social climate I’d like you to invent and or identify one contemporary Chicano/a/x icon . In other words list one person that you think could be a source of inspiration and aspiration to the Brown community today.
Answer preview what images of Chicanos in the military have you seen in movies before watching this film?
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