By Jennifer Cuevas

Just two years after the ELA Walkouts in 1968 where students marched against inequitable educational conditions of schools and racist policies, the Chicano Moratorium emerged in 1970 as a direct community action in response to the Vietnam War. August 29, 1970 marked a pivotal time in Mexican-American history, scarred by the violence that incited during the march and the killing of renowned LA Times journalist, Ruben Salazar. 

The year 1970 was also a ‘catalytic time’ for burgeoning Chicano artists and their art; and in fact, Self Help Graphics & Art emerged from the Chicano Moratorium and the Chicano movement of this era, forging new ideas of what fine art is on its head and holding space for not only Chicano artists, but those who created works beyond the conventional (colonial) idea of what mainstream, fine art was and is, even today.

On the 50th Anniversary of this significant day in history, OUR collective history that lands during movement times once again, we encourage you to learn more about Chicano Moratorium and the historical connections that the Chicano movement also had with other communities of color. What are the lessons? How can we strengthen our ties? What racist views and ways might we be holding onto, that need to be dismantled in us, at home or in daily life? In what ways can we support each other in the struggle for social justice? 

To honor the 50th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium, Artist Dewey Tafoya has made this commemorative poster available for download. Learn more about the Chicano Moratorium in this special issue of the LA Times here. You can also learn more about the role that the arts played during the Chicano Moratorium in the LA Times here. 

Jennifer Cuevas is SHG’s Communications Consultant. She is a Cultural Arts Producer, with a passion for the arts, social justice and policy.