In East Los Angeles during the late 1960s and 1970s, a group of young activists used creative tools like writing and photography as a means for community organizing, providing a platform for the Chicano Movement in the form of the bilingual newspaper.
In the 1960s and 70s, a group of young idealists-activists came together to work on a community newspaper called La Raza that became the voice for the Chicano Movement. With only the barest resources, but a generous amount of dedication, these young men and women changed their world and produced an archive of over 25,000 photographs. Hear their thoughts on the times and its relevance today, while perusing through some photographs not seen in public for decades in this series of narrated slideshows.
Click right or left to look through the images from the 1960s and 70s. Hit the play button on the bottom right corner to listen to the audio.
1/25 Toasting during La Raza staff party | Manuel Barrera, Jr., La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
2/25 People attend an LAUSD Board of Education meeting on Carlos Martinez | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
3/25 Woman holds La Raza magazine copies at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
4/25 People attend an LAUSD Board of Education meeting on Carlos Martinez | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
5/25 Devra Weber attends Roosevelt High School walkouts | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
6/25 Luis Garza during the outdoor mass celebration at St. Basil's Catholic Church | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
7/25 Joe Razo stands outside St. Basil's Roman Catholic Church during the Catolicos por la Raza three-day fast | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
8/25 Rosalio Muñoz inside the induction center at the Armed Forces Examing and Entrance station | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
9/25 CSRC_LaRaza_B4F4C2_JR-RR_014 Young woman at Laguna Park during the National Chicano Moratorium | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
10/25 Manuel Barrera, Jr. | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
11/25 Benjamin Rochin Luna, artist and staff member of La Raza, buffs the floors at the Church of the Epiphany | Deva Weber, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
12/25 Patricia Borjon during a wedding ceremony at Church of the Epiphany | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
13/25 Devra Weber inside the Chicano Student Movement newspaper office | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
14/25 Person views contact sheet inside the Chicano Student Movement newspaper office | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
15/25 Gilbert Lopez works inside the La Raza magazine office | Patricia Borjon, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
16/25 Moctesuma Esparza poses at the Chicano Student Movement newspaper office | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
17/25 A group of people, including Raul Ruiz, pose for a photograph for Rudy Salas' wedding | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
18/25 Ricardo Martinez, Los Angeles City College student and member of La Raza staff at the La Raza office | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
19/25 A volunteer works at a table inside the La Raza office | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
20/25 A La Raza staff member, perhaps Maria Marquez-Sanchez | Manuel Barrera, Jr., La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
21/25 A man, possibly Gilbert Cano, at La Raza office in City Terrace. | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
22/25 A group of people, including Daniel Zapata, folds pamphlets for Raul Ruiz's campaign for California's 48th State Assembly district | Manuel Barrera, Jr., La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA CSRC
23/25 A La Raza staff party including Daniel Zapata and Patricia Borjon | Manuel Barrera, Jr., La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
24/25 Raul Ruiz at LA City College event | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
25/25 Raul Ruiz, Manuel Barrera, Jr., Patricia Borjon of La Raza | Luis Garza, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
Narrated Photo Essay: The Young Activists of La Raza
Luis Garza
My name is Luis Garza. My parents are of Mexican origin from Northern Mexico and South Texas. [We] came out to Los Angeles in 1965. The concept of familia is very important within our community as we know. It's an extended family. When I look at my fellow colleagues at La Raza, it was a mix of personalities, of talents, of ages, of gender, of personal experiences — some were parents, some were students, some were just in search, some were academics, some were professionals, aspiring lawyers, doctors. There was such a cross-section and mix of people who came through the office of La Raza who became active participants in the process of publishing and putting that work together at the magazine, at the newspaper, at that time. The amount of energy and talent, both professional and raw, was really eclectic. It was quite a mix. But everybody was dedicated. Everybody was dedicated to telling the story.
Top Image: Gloria Chavez and Joe Raza walk from the courthouse which held the trail for the 21 St. Basil defendants | Luis Garza, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
