Chicano Media Moguls

In the post-Chicano movement era, Chicanos inspired by movement activism sought out ways to enact social change in institutional spheres such as education, government, or the entertainment industry. This presentation focuses... [ view full abstract ]

In the post-Chicano movement era, Chicanos inspired by movement activism sought out ways to enact social change in institutional spheres such as education, government, or the entertainment industry. This presentation focuses on Moctesuma Esparza as a figure in entertainment who exemplifies this phenomenon. Esparza is a Chicano activist and former Brown Beret who has produced many Latino films, including The Milagro Beanfield War, Selena, and Mosquita y Mari. He also founded Maya Entertainment, a media company dedicated to producing and distributing Latino-themed films, and a line of movie theaters called Maya Cinemas found throughout California. In discussing how he has tried to carry out Chicano ideology through his work, I will contextualize his efforts in relation to that of other high profile Chicanos in entertainment like Cheech Marin and George Lopez. My presentation will ultimately address the following questions: can you really be a Chicano activist in the corporate entertainment world? How do these individuals define their political work and what do their experiences help us understand about the advances made and the challenges faced by individuals seeking to carry forth the legacy of Chicano politics in institutional settings?