Becoming Chicano

Sydney Gallegos was born in New Mexico and came to Seattle in 1969 to attend UW. One of the founders of MEChA, after earning his degree in dentistry, Dr. Gallegos helped found the Seattle chapter of the National Chicano Health Organization. (1.4 min)

In the late 1960s young activists began using the term “Chicano” to denote their cultural heritage. Originally a negative label used to demean Mexican Americans, young people turned “Chicano” into a symbol of empowerment and pride.