Rasquachismo and Domesticana

Rasquachismo, I don't believe that I have ever heard of this word before. It's quite an interesting term that defines a specific type of Chicano perspective about an aesthetic attitude towards what one has or does not have. I think that it is also about a type of decorum that is exhibited. It goes against societies established protocols and creates it own sense of style that is adaptable to its surroundings. The content is related to its context. The Rasquachismo attitude is mindful of the contextual environment and allocates appropriate resources to establish a dynamic harmonious Chicano aesthetic.

I grew up in poverty, so I know what it is like to have the mindful concern about what others will think or say about my appearance. But the one thing that separated me from others was that I was not trying to adapt to please others, I was adapting to please myself. I desired to have a powerful sense of pride and style that was convenient for my egotistical needs.

I remember several times I went to court for family matters, and strangers in courthouse automatically assumed that I was the family attorney. I always dressed well to suit the specific occasion and the particular environment, even though I did not have money to purchase the particular type of clothing I wanted, I always found something similar to the article of clothing that I wanted, or I simply found a way to make it into something that I wanted to wear. Like a player on the stage or jester who performs to please the crown. I wanted that sense of power and authority to influence others.