Week 4- Rasquachismo and Domesticana

This book itself provides an overview of the history of the Chicano/a art from the 1960s to the present days and it emphasizes the debates on the meaning of different vocabulary terms that have played an important role in history. In Rasquachismo  and Domesticana, the author emphasizes that "Rasquachismo" is neither an idea nor a style but more of a attitude or taste. Generally speaking, being rasquache was a negative word that described an attitude that was lower class. However, the author tries to explain that Raschuachismo is not just a negative word used by people who simply don't understand the taste behind it,  but something cultural that gives out a certain captivating emotion just like art. It is attitude and a way of living constructed by the working Chicano class and molded by the constant oppression and discrimination of the privileged. However, what also molded this attitude was the family roles and values that came from religious, spiritual practices. It was portrayed in very unique materials; tires found on the streets, broken plates, and plastic containers allowing the Chicano to survive and preserve with a sense of dignity.