Mexican-American Identity

The concept of "Mexican-American" Identity is a relatively new idea. This exhibit explores the origins of the label in the Southwest and the ways in which this marginalized community was seen by the United States of America, especially during times of uncertainty and political instability. The theme of Mexican-American communities in the United States was traced through history by looking at items from La Compania Carlos Villalongin - a 20th century theatrical company, pictures of Mexican farmworkers during the Great Depression, and a moving work by playwright Silvia Gonzalez S. depicting the struggles contemporary Latinx immigrants face with 'Americanization'. 

Each of the items were drawn from records hosted at the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas. All of the collections depict aspects of the Mexican-American community at different points in history and were thus drawn together to highlight the rich history described in this exhibit.

Explore the map to see a distribution of items from across the Southwest and over a century of Mexican-American, Chicano, and Latinx history. Click on a pin to read about a specific item and track the development of this community over 100 years.