[PrinceLightfoot]

In El Paso, the word "Chicano" was derogatory and basically meant low-life Mexican-American.

Is it possible that what we're not dealing with here is regional hispanic pride,  but instead just that good 'ol Texas Thing ?  You know, whatever somebody in some other state does,  it's not as good as whatever they do in Texas?

Hey! Don't Mess with Texas! ;) But seriously, it isn't a Texas pride thing...I live in Iowa these days ha!

The regional hispanic pride you refer to is the mother that adopted "Chicano". As I said later in the previous post, almost every non-Californian Mexican-American at that time considered that label derogatory - people in my dorm from New Mexico, other parts of Texas, and Arizona primarily. Why should I have adjust to what Californians so readily identify? Perhaps a "When in Rome.." approach would have been fine but I have never been able to pull off disingenuity convincingly. Their experience is not mine, but that does not exlcude my ability to understand and sympanthize. My experience is one that loved the situation I grew up in seeing a land of opportunity unobstructed and relatively fair. Having frequently crossed the river to visit family living in Juarez, it was quite clear living in the USA was preferable.

[PrinceLightfoot]

In El Paso, the word "Chicano" was derogatory and basically meant low-life Mexican-American.

Is it possible that what we're not dealing with here is regional hispanic pride,  but instead just that good 'ol Texas Thing ?  You know, whatever somebody in some other state does,  it's not as good as whatever they do in Texas?

Hey! Don't Mess with Texas! ;) But seriously, it isn't a Texas pride thing...I live in Iowa these days ha!

The regional hispanic pride you refer to is the mother that adopted "Chicano". As I said later in the previous post, almost every non-Californian Mexican-American at that time considered that label derogatory - people in my dorm from New Mexico, other parts of Texas, and Arizona primarily. Why should I have adjust to what Californians so readily identify? Perhaps a "When in Rome.." approach would have been fine but I have never been able to pull off disingenuity convincingly. Their experience is not mine, but that does not exlcude my ability to understand and sympanthize. My experience is one that loved the situation I grew up in seeing a land of opportunity unobstructed and relatively fair. Having frequently crossed the river to visit family living in Juarez, it was quite clear living in the USA was preferable.