The Chicano Movement of the late 1960's helped spark cultural and historical pride in our people. Chicanos demanded to be treated as equals, denounced acculturation, and assimilation. Chicanos expressed their pride through poetry, literature, art and theatre. The contributions of the Chicano movement are numerous and continue to be valuable to our society.In March 1969 the Crusade for Justice organized the first National Chicano Youth Conference in Denver, Colorado. At this conference El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan was drafted; giving way to the Chicano Movement. This document asserts that Chicanos must work to better the conditions of their communities.
Following the National Chicano Youth Conference, in April of 1969, over 100 Chicano/as met at the University of California, Santa Barbara to formulate a plan for higher education: El Plan de Santa Barbara. With this document they were successful in the development of two important contributions to the Chicano Movement: Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) and Chicano Studies.
Today, over 35 years after its creation, there are MEChA chapters from coast to coast, and there are an ever increasing number of MEChA's in high schools and junior colleges through out the United States.
Following the National Chicano Youth Conference, in April of 1969, over 100 Chicano/as met at the University of California, Santa Barbara to formulate a plan for higher education: El Plan de Santa Barbara. With this document they were successful in the development of two important contributions to the Chicano Movement: Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) and Chicano Studies.
Today, over 35 years after its creation, there are MEChA chapters from coast to coast, and there are an ever increasing number of MEChA's in high schools and junior colleges through out the United States.