In the late 1960s, Chicano activists in East Los Angeles started a newspaper and magazine called La Raza that covered the struggles faced by Mexican Americans. Raul Ruiz was a Chicano activist, journalist, and photographer who joined the staff of La Raza. Ruiz covered student walkouts, marches, protests against the Vietnam War, and the often violent response by police. Ruiz documented these events as a journalist and participated in them as an activist calling for civil rights for Chicanos.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
How do photographers contribute to a movement? (The Chicano Movement)
Standards
D2.His.6.9-12. Analyze the ways in which the perspectives of those writing history shaped the history that they produced.
Instructional Snapshot
Class begins with the teacher dividing students into groups of four and distributing a copy of the source set without photograph titles to each student. (Note: The titles of the photographs provide students with answers to some of the questions in this building block inquiry. Because of this, a student-friendly source set is included without titles to use in this lesson.) In their groups, each student closely observes a different photograph for one minute, taking time to notice details. After a minute, the teacher hands out the graphic organizer, and students reflect on their photograph by answering the analysis prompts.
Then, students share their reflections with their group. As a team, students determine which photograph is the most powerful. The teacher then brings the class back together to read the information about the photographer included on the graphic organizer. Students then consider how the photographer’s background and goals may have influenced the photographs he took. The teacher may help students evaluate the photographer’s role by considering whether the same photographs could have been taken by someone outside the Chicano community.
Formative Tasks
PRODUCE: Observe and reflect on a photograph of the Chicano Movement.
COLLABORATE: Select the most captivating photograph and justify the selection.
DELIBERATE: Evaluate how a photographer’s background and goals can influence their work.
Sources
Source Set: Photographs of the Chicano Movement by Raul Ruiz
Summative Performance Task
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Taking Informed Action
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