Analysis of Los Vendidos and Exploitation of...

Analysis of Los Vendidos and Exploitation of Mexican-Americans The short play Los Vendidos portrayed by el Teatro Campesino shows the history of Mexican-Americans. It shows racist perceptions and actions towards Mexican-Americans. The title itself implies the exploitation of Chicanos. In translation from Spanish Vendidos can mean either those who sell-out others, or those who are sold. In the play either meaning can be applied. Those who are sold would be the eleven different characters that Sancho describes. But, the sell-out could be Ms. Jimenez, a main character, who is the exemplary white-washed Mexican-American. The Teatro Campesino was a theater group that originated on the picket-lines in Delano in 1965. They†¦show more content†¦The buying and selling of these people shows the perception of Mexican-Americans as property that can be abused and manipulated. Ms. Jimenez is the sell-out or white-washed Mexican-American. This is displayed just as the play begins when she introduces herself. Sancho hears her say her name as Ji-mi-nez and realizes she is a Chicana. Excitedly, he starts to speak Spanish to her and pronounces her name in Spanish, Hee-me-nez, stressing the second syllable. She corrects him saying that the Spanish pronunciation is not how her name is pronounced. She quickly makes it apparent that she does not speak Spanish and does not even want to be know as a Chicana. She rejects her own ethnicity, which is one example of how she is a sell-out. In any instance of such widespread oppression there has always been people who attempt to hide or reject their own identity so that they might succeed or better survive in the environment of their oppressors. Many times the oppressed people are taught to feel shameful of their heritage because the racism is so ingrained in everyday life and culture. In 1924 a Chicano assistant asses sor to Reverend McLean in reporting on Colorado Mexicans, named J.B. Guerrero, reveals his own resentment towards people who share his own ancestry, The Americans think we [Mexican-Americans] are no good; they class us with this trash that comes over from Mexico; we are greasers and nothing more. We have suffered much from theseShow MoreRelated Mexicans in the United States Essay3496 Words   |  14 Pageshistory of Chicanos, or Mexican-Americans and their experiences in the United States, an economic analysis may provide the best interpretation for their failure to achieve the status of first class citizens. This difficulty in achieving equality of citizenship is deeply rooted in both the economic self-interest of the Anglo-Americans, as well as their inherent perception of Otherness in Chicanos. This paper will explain the importance of this history and its context in the American framework. Beginning