In collaboration with the works for Laura E. Perez, Gloria Anzaldua,

and Graciela Limon, their works haveinspired me to

try to and establish afamiliarsight whereby

as a collective unit we can use a landmark to

groundour sense of the Chicano identity. 

This has influenced me to concentrate my

senior thesis paper on this specific area

in particular Whittier Boulevard in between

Eastern Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard. 

“Our historical relationship to certain places is

reflected in specific natural landmarks

charged with memory as markets of our identity

and that of our ancestors and cared for

and respected in part as such” (Perez, 148).

What I seek to take from these 15 blocks is a sense of belonging, community, and brethren like that which Huitzitzilin had in the city

of Tenochtitlan.  I will argue that in what Laura E. Perez calls the theory of internal colonialism which is “the subjection of third world

and Native populations following an imperialist colonial logic of conquer, subjugate, and segregate” also took place in the United

States, in particular in the area of East Los Angeles on this particular stretch of road (147).  While I will not speak directly of the

Mexica displacement during the conquest I will relate back to it by referencing the systems of division placed afterward the fall of the

city, these systems being the force of authority and ethnic makeup.  Just as the Spaniards were the supreme rulers of the new area

following the destruction of the city, they enforced their religious beliefs and traditions that became laws with a violent rule and

intimidation.  To go against what they believed was wrong to say the least and it was their word that reigned supreme over the voice o

f any native, much like the Sheriff’s who overlooked countless complaints byresidents and only turned their attention to them when it

went against what they had to say.

If the connection is unclear the argument I am trying to make is that the separation of peoples, whether they be natives or residents,

creates a cultural displacement.  Even with the conquest having begun almost 500 years ago the effects are still very much evident in t

oday’s Latino communities and everyday lives.  For the most part, “the politics of places has translated into historically being ‘kept in

their place,’ that is circumscribed social and geographical locations by vigilante and police violence” (Perez, 149).  For years in Los

Angeles we had restrictive covenant laws which did not allow minorities to move into specific areas of Los Angeles and we are still

victims of vigilante justice; “Catch a Mexican Day” that was sanctioned by the University of Texas at Austin. This is why it is

important to focus on a central location not only helps to get rid of cultural displacement that will thus creating a sense of land that we

could ground ourselves in.  As it is we do already have stories from this one mile strip from the events of police brutality and cultural

festivity that we can take from the older generation to establish a homeland that can give us all a sense of pride that will not make us

ashamed of where we come from or our past. Although it may not be Aztlan it is an alternative to the current land mark we have

which can be argued in from the narrow minded media. That being a gang perspective that many times the news and editorials

broadcast us as.  Instead of focusing on the negative we will work with what we have available and transform it into our new home

and base.  No longer will we have to torment ourselves regarding whether we are from here or there, but instead respond we were

from here and we are here!