Document Type

Honors Project

Comments

I would like to thank my advisor Erika Busse-Cardenas, my Thesis Defense Committee, all of my wonderful interviewees, friends and family, who all collaborated with me and helped to complete this project.

Abstract

Abstract:

This research investigates Mexican-American identity, agency, and resistance, contextualizing them within the socio-political landscape of the United States. Drawing from existing scholarship, the study employs qualitative interviews to explore how Mexican-American college students assert their ethnic identities as resistance against societal pressures to assimilate and institutions that marginalize them. The findings reveal the pervasive influence of racialization and marginalization experienced by Mexican-Americans, shaping their sense of belonging and connection to their Mexican heritage. Drawing upon Telles and Sue's (2019) concept of the "ethnic core," participants deepen their ties to their Mexican identities through familial and social networks, cultural practices, language, religion, and geographical context. This robust framework enables them to resist attempts to erase or diminish their cultural identities.

Moreover, extended periods abroad, particularly in Latin America, contribute to their cultural rediscovery and appreciation, further solidifying their Mexican identity. Unlike previous generations, participants exhibit a disconnection from their American identity, in part due to historical events such as the Trump presidency and the racial reckoning following George Floyd's murder. Nevertheless, they acknowledge the privileges of U.S. citizenship but prioritize their Mexican heritage as a means of resistance. My research underscores the complexity of Mexican-American identity formation and resistance, highlighting the importance of individual agency in navigating societal structures and asserting cultural identity.

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