1. Latinos and Native Americans Seek Equality

2. During the 1960’s, the Latino population in the United States grew from 3 million to more than 9 million. Today the Latino population includes people from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Central America, and South America.

3. The growing Latino population enriched American society
The growing Latino population enriched American society. Latinos spread their culture, including language, literature, cuisine, and music.

4. The influx of Latinos also had negative effects-overcrowding in cities, increased crime, higher unemployment and in recent times -illegal immigration.

5. Recognizing their disadvantaged position in society, Latinos began to organize in the 1960’s.
Cesar Chavez
Formed the United Farm
Workers Union.
Went on a three week fast
and launched a nationwide
boycott of grapes when
grape growers refused to
recognize the union.
Cesar Chavez

6. The activities of the California farm workers helped to inspire other Latino “brown power” movements across the country.

7. Latinos began to demand that schools offer Spanish-speaking children classes taught in their own language as well as programs about their culture. In 1968, Congress enacted the Bilingual Education Act.

9. Native Americans Seek Greater Autonomy
Have been the poorest of Americans
Highest unemployment rate
High rate of alcoholism, suicide, and infant mortality.

10. The American Indian Movement (AIM) began in 1968 largely as a self-defense group against police brutality, it soon branched out to include protecting the rights of large Native American populations in northern and western states.

11. Confronting the Government
Native Americans
often used military
tactics to confront
the government.
The Indians of All
Tribes seized and
occupied Alcatraz.

12. AIM, led by Russell Means, seized and occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Washington, D.C., and the town of Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

13. Native American Victories
1975- Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act – gave tribes
greater control over their own affairs and children’s education.

14. 1970’s -1980’s - Native Americans went to federal court with copies of old land treaties and reclaimed land throughout the United States including 44 million acres in Alaska.

15. Stereotyping and Sports Mascots