Skip to main content

Narrated Photo Essay: Gil Lopez on Continuing the Struggle for Social Justice Today

CSRC_LaRaza_B6F2aC3_OC_010 Protesters with "We Will Not Be Intimidated" sign at the Marcha Por La Justicia rally at Belvedere Park | Oscar Castillo, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
Support Provided By
In East Los Angeles during the late 1960s and 1970s, a group of young activists used creative tools like writing and photography as a means for community organizing, providing a platform for the Chicano Movement in the form of the bilingual newspaper.
La Raza

Artbound "La Raza" is a KCETLink production in association with the Autry Museum of the American Westand UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center.

In the 1960s and 70s, a group of young idealists-activists came together to work on a community newspaper called La Raza that became the voice for the Chicano Movement. With only the barest resources, but a generous amount of dedication, these young men and women changed their world and produced an archive of over 25,000 photographs. Hear their thoughts on the times and its relevance today, while perusing through some photographs not seen in public for decades in this series of narrated slideshows

Click right or left to look through the images from the 1960s and 70s. Hit the play button on the bottom right corner to listen to the audio.

CSRC_LaRaza_B14F6S1_N013 Man speaks to a crowd at Chicano Moratorium anniversary | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B14F6S1_N013 Man speaks to a crowd at Chicano Moratorium anniversary | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
1/21 Man speaks to a crowd at Chicano Moratorium anniversary | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B14F6S1_N005 Man, possibly Nacho Uribe, speaks to a crowd at Chicano Moratorium anniversary | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B14F6S1_N005 Man, possibly Nacho Uribe, speaks to a crowd at Chicano Moratorium anniversary | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
2/21 Man, possibly Nacho Uribe, speaks to a crowd at Chicano Moratorium anniversary | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B11F4C3_PB_013 La Raza Unida delegation march during the Mexican Independence Day parade in East Los Angeles | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B11F4C3_PB_013 La Raza Unida delegation march during the Mexican Independence Day parade in East Los Angeles | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
3/21 La Raza Unida delegation march during the Mexican Independence Day parade in East Los Angeles | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B10F4C2_PA_022  Man holds sign during Centro de Accion Social Autonomo (CASA) march in front of the California State Building | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B10F4C2_PA_022  Man holds sign during Centro de Accion Social Autonomo (CASA) march in front of the California State Building | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
4/21 Man holds sign during Centro de Accion Social Autonomo (CASA) march in front of the California State Building | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B10F3C4_PA_020 Man holds sign at the immigration march against Dixon-Arnett Act | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B10F3C4_PA_020 Man holds sign at the immigration march against Dixon-Arnett Act | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
5/21 Man holds sign at the immigration march against Dixon-Arnett Act | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B7F5C4_PB_013 Women carry coffins during the memorial march for Guillermo and Gildardo Sanchez, who were killed by LAPD officers | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B7F5C4_PB_013 Women carry coffins during the memorial march for Guillermo and Gildardo Sanchez, who were killed by LAPD officers | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
6/21 Women carry coffins during the memorial march for Guillermo and Gildardo Sanchez, who were killed by LAPD officers | Patricia Borjon Lopez, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F10C1_Staff_004 Two protesters with a sign at an anti-Vietnam War demonstration in front of L.A. City Hall | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F10C1_Staff_004 Two protesters with a sign at an anti-Vietnam War demonstration in front of L.A. City Hall | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
7/21 Two protesters with a sign at an anti-Vietnam War demonstration in front of L.A. City Hall | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F7C1_Staff_009 Anti-Vietnam War demonstration on Wilshire Boulevard | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F7C1_Staff_009 Anti-Vietnam War demonstration on Wilshire Boulevard | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
8/21 Anti-Vietnam War demonstration on Wilshire Boulevard | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F4C1_RR_012 Protesters at the San Francisco Peach March | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F4C1_RR_012 Protesters at the San Francisco Peach March | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
9/21 Protesters at the San Francisco Peach March | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C7_RR_005 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C7_RR_005 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
10/21 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C6_RR_032 Women march at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C6_RR_032 Women march at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
11/21 Women march at Fresno Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C5_PA_005 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C5_PA_005 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
12/21 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C4_PA_015 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C4_PA_015 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
13/21 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C3_PA_010 Person lying on stage during a performance at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C3_PA_010 Person lying on stage during a performance at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
14/21 Person lying on stage during a performance at Fresno Moratorium | Pedro Arias, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C1_DZ_008 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Daniel Zapata, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F3C1_DZ_008 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Daniel Zapata, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
15/21 People march at Fresno Moratorium | Daniel Zapata, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F2C1_RR_024 Rosalio Muñoz speaks at the San Fernando Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F2C1_RR_024 Rosalio Muñoz speaks at the San Fernando Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
16/21 Rosalio Muñoz speaks at the San Fernando Moratorium | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F2C1_RR_022 Young men protest in front of Parker Center, the headquarters of the LAPD. | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B5F2C1_RR_022 Young men protest in front of Parker Center, the headquarters of the LAPD. | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
17/21 Young men protest in front of Parker Center, the headquarters of the LAPD. | Raul Ruiz, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B4F2C2_Staff_010 Rosalio Muñoz exits the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station  | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B4F2C2_Staff_010 Rosalio Muñoz exits the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station  | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
18/21 Rosalio Muñoz exits the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B2F5C1_Staff_017 Protesters at Roosevelt High School strike | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B2F5C1_Staff_017 Protesters at Roosevelt High School strike | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
19/21 Protesters at Roosevelt High School strike | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B1F4C8_Staff_010 Rally to free the L.A. 13 at La Placita | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B1F4C8_Staff_010 Rally to free the L.A. 13 at La Placita | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
20/21 Rally to free the L.A. 13 at La Placita | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B1F3C5_Staff_020 Protest at Roosevelt High School walkouts | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
CSRC_LaRaza_B1F3C5_Staff_020 Protest at Roosevelt High School walkouts | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
21/21 Protest at Roosevelt High School walkouts | La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center

Narrated Photo Essay: Continuing the Struggle for Social Justice Today

Gil Lopez

My name is Gilbert Lopez. I was active with La Raza magazine/newspaper thereafter La Raza Unida, and at the time, I was also a student at Roosevelt High School. Probably one of the most enlightening experiences I had at La Raza was becoming a photographer. I think the photos tell a story of what were the conditions at the time. Many demonstrations, pickets and union organizing and things that we did, we show how things — tough at the time — that still exist today. If people can translate those photos and say, "What's changed?" not to be sarcastic or cynical about it, but to say, "Wait a minute. If those guys had to put their foot in the door and they were improving things for us to have these positions, we should put our foot in the door and we should continue those types of struggles.

Hear more from the other photographers here.

Top Image: Protesters with "We Will Not Be Intimidated" sign at the Marcha Por La Justicia rally at Belvedere Park | Oscar Castillo, La Raza photograph collection. Courtesy of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
Audio mix by: Michael Naeimollah

Support Provided By
Read More
An 8mm film still "The Kitchen" (1975) by Alile Sharon Larkin. The still features an image of a young Black woman being escorted by two individuals in white coats. The image is a purple monochrome.

8 Essential Project One Films From the L.A. Rebellion Film Movement

For years, Project One films have been a rite of passage for aspiring filmmakers at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. Here are eight Project One pieces born out of the L.A. Rebellion film movement from notable filmmakers like Ben Caldwell, Jacqueline Frazier and Haile Gerima.
A 2-by-3 grid of Razorcake zine front covers.

Last Punks in Print: Razorcake Has Been the Platform for Punks of Color For Over Two Decades

While many quintessential L.A. punk zines like "Flipside," "HeartattaCk," and "Profane Existence" have folded or only exist in the digital space, "Razorcake" stands as one of the lone print survivors and a decades-long beacon for people — and punks — of color.
Estevan Escobedo is wearing a navy blue long sleeve button up shirt, a silk blue tie around his neck, a large wide-brim hat on his head, and brown cowboy pants as he twirls a lasso around his body. Various musicians playing string instruments and trumpets stand behind him, performing.

The Art of the Rope: How This Charro Completo is Preserving Trick Roping in the United States

Esteban Escobedo is one of only a handful of professional floreadores — Mexican trick ropers — in the United States, and one of a few instructors of the technical expression performing floreo de reata (also known as floreo de soga "making flowers with a rope"), an art form in itself and one of Mexico's longest standing traditions.