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.
1/19 Children with raised fists during a Barrio Conference at Roosevelt High School | Maria Marquez Sanchez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
2/19 Children carrying signs in support of Ricardo Chavez Ortiz in downtown Los Angeles | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
3/19 March in support of Ricardo Chavez Ortiz in downtown Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
4/19 March in support of Ricardo Chavez Ortiz in downtown Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
5/19 March in support of Ricardo Chavez Ortiz in downtown Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
6/19 Anti-Vietnam War March on Wilshire Boulevard | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
7/19 Young girl at the beach | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
8/19 Boy on a motorcycle | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
9/19 Two men and children | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
10/19 Young boy behind chainlink fence | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
11/19 CSRC_LaRaza_B16F3C2_Staff_018 International Women's Day march in East Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
12/19 International Women's Day march in East Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
13/19 Children in front of the Albion Street Early Education Center | Sixto Tarango, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
14/19 September Mexican Independence Day Parade | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
15/19 Gusanos anti-communist demonstrators carry banners in Los Angeles | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
16/19 Gusanos anti-communist demonstrators carry banners in Los Angeles | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
17/19 National Socialist White People's Party stand armed outside a party chapter | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
18/19 Children petition for a traffic light at the corner of Fourth Street and Pecan Street in Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
19/19 Children petition for a traffic light at the corner of Fourth Street and Pecan Street in Los Angeles | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
Narrated Photo Essay: La Raza's Enduring Importance
Oscar Castillo
My name is Oscar Castillo and was a aspiring professional photographer, so that's how I happen to be involved with La Raza magazine. The importance of the role La Raza played back then is important, but I think it's moreso now to provide a historical perspective to younger children that have no idea when you talk to them about the Moratorium or different events in the 70s. They don't have a clue because it's not part of the general media. By creating a separate media and separate perspective. We're able to share those experiences. They say that history repeats itself. If you understand history, then you understand your own life.
Top Image: Two young boys with their fists held high while holding newspapers in support of Raul Ruiz | Manuel Barrera, Jr., La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
