Rasquachismo is quite literally when we repurpose used or old materials into something new that can be of use. It’s a strategy formed by the working-class to do the most of what they have. This “making do with what is at hand” mentality does not only highlight what Rasquachismo is, but it also comes with this “underdog” hindsight. Besides its physical attributes, it also represents the codification of Chicano culture, where we could be fregados pero no jodidos - be down but not out. It’s symbolic for using it as a form of cultural and political resistance, where we incorporate strategies of appropriation, reversal, and inversion, as told by Gonzalez. He presents it as the artistic process of selection and combination of materials. This is because many of these things are found in within our homes and community, which in turn creates objects imbued with new meaning. This can partially be an explanation as to why some people, not matter how old or beaten up an object is, will never throw them out for new, “better” ones because of the ties and memories they have bound to the object. Through Rasquachismo we are able to display our culture and and an attitude rooted in resourcefulness and adaptability. An example of this in my own family is that we reuse yogurt family size cups for salsas. There are so many times that I go into the fridge thinking that I am about to eat yogurt, only to be disappointed, but not surprised, that there is salsa in it instead. At its heart, Rasquachismo is our way of displaying our own cultural wealth. Like this we are able to pass down the traditions and stories that come with reusing everyday objects. In my example, I have been able to learn more about my Grandma, because she used to also use yogurt cups for salsa, and every time we do this, it reminds us of her and her story. In essence, it’s a way to keep our culture alive through the cleverness and resourcefulness of our raza.
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