This document provides insight on the petition to bring in a more inclusive curriculum by students of the University of Washington to create a new department and field of study known as “Chicano Studies”. Dated May 5, 1965, the creation of Chicano studies is believed to help the students in hopes of understanding themselves better identity wise, but also how they fit in American society. Not only is this for the Mexican-American identifying students themselves, but for others to understand the plight of Chicanos/as in contemporary American situations as it is apart of the formation of American culture of today. This only further established a professional and respected field for Chicanos/as in academia. Not only does the proposal ask for this department, but a more consolidated presence in campus with the request of Chicano/a faculty and students in order to build off the Chicano field of study. Showcasing the struggles and successes of the advocation of higher education.
This document in particular is called, “The Beginning” circa 1969, revolved around the early foundations of institutionalizing Chicano/a academic fields as well as acknowledging and establishing Chicano/a student organizations. The publication and circulation of this document spreads the goals of Mexican-American students and the desire to have a a field of study that represented their struggles and history. The idea of Chicano studies allows for Chicano students to possess already established practices that were already presented with other students and hope to create an institutional power base in order to manage and deal with the Chicano issues. Not only did this acknowledge and accepted Chicano institutions, but it allowed for other Chicanos/as to more closely examine their identity and history in an educational institution, creating more inclusive environments. Now with a legitimate educational field they can use to spread Chicano/a awareness and history, Chicano studies can be picked up and respected as a genuine part of American history.
This is from a student newspaper about the activity level of the Chicanos/as in the University of Washington, displaying they are indeed making strides on campus and as a serious organization. This newspaper is apart of the UW daily, the college newspaper and thus it begins to acknowledge in a serious format the work that Chicanos/as have in campus. Referring to a successful implementation of a new curriculum and showing bi-lateral cooperation from other minority student organizations, such as the Black Student Union. This relates to the theme, because many of these changes and social reforms take place in educational institutions, and not only are they changing their respective university, but are bringing in larger domestic issues such as the grape boycott to spread more awareness of the issue. Along with collaborative efforts from other student groups, the goals and means of Chicano activism utilizes media newspapers to help spread their message.