Week 4 - Rasquachismo and Domesticana

When considering Chicano and Chicana Art: A Critical Anthology, we begin to see that both "rasquachismo" and "domestica" are terms used to describe an either set of beliefs, attitudes, backgrounds, circumstances and societal notions. Initially associated, and paired, with a negative connotation regarding the commonplace working Chicano, "rasquachismo" was also used to refer to the poverty-stricken and impoverished Chicanx communities that existed at the time. The word was not a nice look for the Chicanx communities and the people in them at the time, however, the modern and contemporary redefinition is one to appreciate and respect. The article by Tomas Ybarra Frausto, a prominent Chicanx art scholar, came along with a redefinition for the word, one that showed that change really began to set into motion. He describes the word as being one that referred to an attitude and sensibility that the Chicanx people held, rather than a negative implication of their lifestyles and communities. He worked to reframe the word so it was more applicable by the people it was initially "targeted" at, a turn of the tables.

The Amalia Mesa-Bains article talks about "domesticana" as being a term that sheds light on the circumstances, hardships, successes, and difficulties of Chicana art and artists as it has moved on through the years. It places emphasis and importance on the hard work and dedication of Chicana artists, both in pasts contexts and now in more contemporary, modern settings and times. This word has been very empowering, seeing as it has a centralized focus on sectors of society that have almost always been historically ignored and shunned, women and art. Again, just like "rasquachismo" this word was utilized as a form of power and personal authority, showing other predator cultures, that the Chicanx people would not go down without a fight, and that we were, and still are, as energized, joyful, and empowered as ever.

These changes aided many members of the Chicanx community to realize and appreciate their full potential, whether it was as artists, or as hard-working people. We are made to understand that the more we embrace our backgrounds, stories, and cultures, the more united and empowered we will be in the long run as people. It is our job to rewrite and correct the false narratives, to flip the scripts, and to represent, all-in-all!