How We Came to Be

“I am in awe of what these scholar/activists were able to do to conceptualize, develop, and situate Chicano/Chicana studies side by side with solidly ensconced academic departments. This is an astonishing accomplishment in face of political resistance and entrenched Eurocentric belief systems that have guided higher education for hundreds of years. The personal narratives in this volume are nothing short of profound truth telling at its highest level. We learn that with courage, persistence, hard work, collaboration, and spiritual nobility what seems impossible can be accomplished. What the Chicano Movement exclaimed long ago still rings true: ¡Si se puede!“—Laura I. Rendón, author of Sentipensante (Sensing / Thinking) Pedagogy: Educating for Wholeness, Social Justice, and Liberation

“As the daughter of Chicano activists, I grew up learning the stories behind the syllabi—the struggles, alliances, and sacrifices that made the field of Chicano studies possible. In a time when Chicano studies faces political erasure, this collection compiles the seeds cultivated by generations of scholars who dared to imagine a place for themselves and future generations in the academy. They grew more than a field—they rooted us in an ecosystem of Chicanismo, a movement that seeks to cultivate not only knowledge but also transformation—for our gente, our histories, and the generations yet to come.“— Rebeca Burciaga, San Jose State University

Teresa Córdova is director of the Great Cities Institute at UIC and professor of urban planning and policy. She collaborates with communities and policymakers to translate research into action, shaping equitable urban development policy and community development practice.

Aída Hurtado, UC Santa Barbara professor and Luis Leal Endowed Chair, researches intersectional feminisms, Latino/a/x identity, and media representations. She has authored several influential books, received notable awards, and spoke at the 2017 and 2018 Women’s March.

Francisco J. Hernández, a history of education expert, has served as vice chancellor for students at multiple universities. He advises the UC Chicanx/Latinx Alumni Association and the NROC Project, and he holds various board positions.

Avelardo Valdez, USC emeritus professor and former Fulbright Scholar, researches substance abuse, violence, and health among high-risk minorities. He has been the recipient of NIH grants, has chaired the National Hispanic Science Network Association, and has served on the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Causes and Consequences of Incarceration.

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