Marking fifty-one years since the National Chicano Moratorium took place in East Los Angeles, where more than 30,000 participants marched to protest the Vietnam War, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes presents Patriotism in Conflict: Fighting for Country and Comunidad. This exhibition recounts the momentum and critical events that led to one of the most influential demonstrations in Chicana/o history and inspired a generation of sociopolitical activism. Curated by Esperanza Sanchez, Patriotism in Conflict investigates the multiple roles and generational perspectives that expanded definitions of patriotism, the diverse ways it was expressed, and the key activists and alliances that mobilized the National Chicano Moratorium Committee (NCMC) to end the war and rally for justice on behalf of their communities and country.
History of the Chicano Moratorium
The Chicano Moratorium rally held on August 29, 1970, was the culmination of multiple Moratorium demonstrations organized that gained national notoriety. The Vietnam War became a breaking point for many families deciding between supporting or opposing U.S. involvement, while their children’s lives hanged in the balance. Many young Chicanos were drafted or volunteered into fighting on the front lines, which resulted in a dramatically disproportionate number of Latino deaths.
The collective contributions of activists, student groups, local neighbors, community and religious leaders throughout the Southwest led to a heightened opposition to the war. They showcased their patriotism by organizing community strength that led to chaotic riots, police brutality, and multiple fatalities, most notably Los Angeles Times journalist, Rubén Salazar. In many ways, the Chicano Moratorium represents a coming of age of the growing Chicano political movement. Their determined efforts during the moratoriums and the Chicana/o Movement continue to inspire succeeding generations to continue the struggle for social justice and equal rights for all.
Thematic sections and more
Patriotism in Conflict: Fighting for Country and Comunidad includes thematic sections. Each one of them examine different topics: Latina/o contributions from World War II, the Korean War, to the Vietnam War, the rising Chicana/o Movement. It also examine the legacies inspired by the Moratoriums, and the 50th anniversary memorial march of 2020. The exhibition displays more than three-hundred materials that include: historic and contemporary photographs, silkscreen prints, hand-made posters, flyers, textiles, multi-media artworks, and video and film installations; selected memorabilia, such as medals, buttons, flags, personal letters and certificates; and special reference publications from newspapers, magazines albums, and journals.
Collaborating collections include private, individual, and public collections: John F. Kennedy Memorial Library Special Collections and Archives, California State University, Los Angeles; Collection of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics; La Raza Archive, Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles; Seaver Center for Western History Research, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History; Self-Help Graphics; Smithsonian American Art Museum; Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara; Voces Oral History Center Collection, University of Texas at Austin; University of Southern California Libraries; Patrick Martinez; Charlie James Gallery; and Vincent Valdez, David Shelton Gallery.
Image: Raul Ruiz, Chicano Moratorium, August 29, 1970, black and white photograph, collection of La Raza Archive, Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles
Patriotism in Conflict: Fighting for Country and Comunidad 3D Virtual Tour
Explore an interactive virtual tour of our exhibition. Walk through our galleries from anywhere on your favorite device and view the artworks and stories of the historic era. Enjoy the 360-degree views of the exhibition from all angles for a true interactive and immersive experience. Click here to learn how to navigate the tour.
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