I wanted to check in on this topic, as I often see it come up online, especially on social media amongst younger, academic, social media influencer-type posters. It’s an important topic.
However, I think it comes from younger folks who aren’t very experienced, maybe first-generation Chicanos, or perhaps even our own Mexican or Mesoamerican relatives who are not Chicanos.
When it is brought up, it is always brought up in a harmful, misinformed way that leaves out a lot of historical and social context. These critiques also come off as condescending and it feels like their intention is just to hate on Chicanos
I can only speculate why some of these critics who seem to have discontent with Chicanos might have some frustration over stuff like this, but suffice it to say that oversights and ill-informed content like that are harmful
—and just reinforces and perpetuates anti-Mexican sentiments and discourages Chicanos and others from healing and recovering their Indigenous selves- essentially doing the work of the colonizer.
We don’t need that lateral hate from our own people, activists, or cultural advocates. I think it also speaks to the disconnect between Chicanos and the lack of understanding about what White Supremacy is and how it can manifest in our communities and activism work.
Anyone who is serious about decolonizing and social justice work should prioritize knowing what white supremacy is, how it works, and how it shapeshifts in our lives.
“If you don’t understand Racism/White supremacy, what it is and how it works , everything else you think you understand will only confuse you.” – Neely Fuller, Jr.
That’s so true, and I can’t stress enough about it.
However, this hyperbolic question is explicitly directed towards Chicanos.
The usual concern that is stated along with that is that Mexicans identifying wth Aztecs erases other Inidgenous people of Mexico and Mesoamerica— — which is a valid concern. But a lot of the way that question and concern is presented. It treats the average Chicano or Mexican with minimal knowledge of the Inidgenous self, as as some type of pretendian or cultural appropriator.. which is grossly inaccurate and disrespectful.
So again: Social and historic context is essential .. and its not that complicated.
For starters, as far as Chicano people go— you have to remember the political movements of the 60s and 70s when a lot of the Chicano Movement was in its active beginnings.
Chicanos were looking for symbols of power that represented us—something to make a statement and distinguish it from Anglo and Spanish, aka European identity and culture… and with the intention of connecting us to our Indigenous roots and selves.
So, of course, the Aztecs/Mexica, being the most documented and researched Native American people period, and Aztec history being the most accessible identity and history related to us, as well as most Mexicans’ heritage being a part of the greater Mesoamerican world, and knowing how Mexica/Aztec culture got to be so widespread amongst our people, I don’t see any other way it could have unfolded.
Many people cite the 1930s, post-revolution, in Mexico, when there was a national campaign to create a national identity. This campaign used Azteca and Mexican identity as symbols and tried to connect and cement that legacy with the national branding and image—which was true.
But I think there’s a lot more to it than that..
it goes back to pre-conquest and immediate post-conquest times.
It could even possibly be a factor in why the Mexican leaders of the 30’s reinforced Aztec branding and symbolism
Back to pre-conquest, right before the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the Mexica were rocking the Mesoamerican world for about 200 years prior to that and held sway over the bulk of the Mesoamerican territory.
Nahuatl is and has been one of the most common and prominent language families in the Mexican area. It’s also synonymously called “ Mexica Tlahtolli” or “The Mexican Language,” even though, as we know, the Mexica/ Aztecs were just one nation in the Nahuatl language-speaking family.
The Nahuatl language was and has always been widespread. As Indigenous people, it’s been common for us to master many languages for trade and commerce, and because we can’t forget…
— Mexican Native nations didn’t exist in a vacuum; we were/are very interconnected.
All of our nations had close relationships with each other and shared a common Mesoamerican culture despite having our unique customs and particulars. We all learned and shared with each other, using many of the same or very similar motifs, glyphs, concepts, and spiritual practices. Again, the Nahuatl language was a part of that interconnectedness.
Going on—
Post-conquest, the Spanish adopted the Mexica language and used it for political communications, record keeping, education, and religious evangelism as they traveled through Mexico.
So the Mexica language, while already being widespread and prioritized in the Inidgenous world, was further cemented as a lingua franca, a well-known and agreed-upon language for common communication in the post conquest, colonial world as well.
So, by utilizing Nahuatl for evangelization and communication, the Spanish leveraged the existing Aztec (Mexica) social and administrative models to create a common template for governance and religious conversion purposes. This is another way the Aztec identity connection and connotations were embedded and distributed into the collective Mesoamerican culture and psyche.
Why do Chicanos think they’re Aztec?
Not only have real Mexicans dealt with centuries of having our Indigeneity punished and our assimilation into Latindnad (aka whiteness) encouraged..
but Chicanos have the additional colonial layer of trying to be Anglicized on top of trying to Hispanicized.
Plus, our historical erasure in the US.
Plus, there is a lack of representation in institutional education.
Plus, our Ethnic Studies programs are being attacked and roadblocked.
It’s only in recent decades that Chicanos have been making strides in recovering our true, Indigenous selves.
It’s lame to clown that process. So, if someone is going to clown and generalize Chicanos for being quick to identify with Aztec Mexicas, now you know why.
So if anyone is out there trying to stifle or create friction for us on that healing and reclamation path is trippin and doing the work of white supremacy.
There’s a way to critique each other without bringing and shaming large contingents of your own people.
