Beyond Aztlan argues that American society has historically viewed a distinctive cultural identity as something that an ethnic group gives up in order to achieve economic and political parity.

Mexican Americans, who have scored limited gains in their struggle for equality since the 194Os, are proving to be no exception to the rule. Mario Barrera in this provocative volume compares the situation of Mexican Americans to that of minority groups in four other countries, and concludes that equality does not necessarily require assimilation. This unique comparative study will appeal to a wide audience-especially to students and professors of sociology. ethnic studies, political science, anthropology, and American studies.

Barrera's work begins with an examination of the goals of the Mexican American population, which he identifies as community and equality. He discusses the historical emergence of these goals and the shift to an emphasis on equality over community. Subsequent chapters explore the revival of community identity during the period of the Chicano Movement, as well as later trends toward fragmentation, radicalization, and re-traditionalization. He compares the pluralistic accommodations of Canada, China, Switzerland, and Nicaragua with the United States and discusses the relative success of their multicultural emphases and their regional autonomy arrangements. Barrera concludes that it is possible to achieve a pluralistic ethnic accommodation that would recognize the legitimacy of both equality and community goals without sacrificing cultural diversity.

About the Author

Mario Barrera is Professor Emeritus of Chicano/Latino Studies at the Department of Ethnic Studies, UC Berkeley. He has published numerous articles in professional journals and has written and edited a number of books, including Race and Class in the Southwest (Notre Dame Press, 1979), and History, Culture and Society. He also produced the documentary film Chicano Park, 1988.

Reviews

"[B]arrera addresses many issues, questions many of the answers given by Chicano organizations and movements in their quest for Aztlan, and provides much food for thought. Anyone interested in the issues of ethnic equality with cultural maintenance or regional autonomy would do well to read this book, if not for its answers, then perhaps for its questions." -American Journal of Sociology

". . . Barrera provides a powerful statement regarding the importance of ethnic goals within a pluralistic society even when those goals may threaten the solidarity of the modern conception of the nation state. . . ." -International Migration Review

"This overview looks at Mexican-American politics since the 1940s, analyzes the aims of the Chicano Movement, and weighs the relative successes and failures both of that political force and of the larger society in accommodating it. A useful, accessible book." -Books of the Southwest

Book Information
ISBN 9780268006884
Author Mario Barrera
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint University of Notre Dame Press
Publisher University of Notre Dame Press
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 13mm