Corridos and a Folklore Heritage
Manuel Peña discusses the corrido, its major themes and how the genre has changed over time. Peña explains that most corridos deal with the theme of intercultural conflict between Chicanos and Anglos in the Southwest. This conflict stems from the land theft and violence that plagued Chicanos in the aftermath of the Mexican American War and Peña says that Mexican folklore often reflects a symbolic interpretation of their present suffering. He explains that there are two general categories of Corrido: Hero Corridos, which older, and victim corridos, which have emerged in the post war period.
The hero corrido, such as Corrido de Jacinto Trevino, describe situations where Chicanos revolt against injustice and Anglo power and despite overwhelming odds, emerges victorious. As such, hero corridos reverse the status of Chicanos so that they emerge the victor. Peña explains that they served to remind Chicanos that even though they were presently suffering they were not going to give up hope.
The victim corrido on the other hand, describes real victims of discrimination and oppression. Corridos such as Los Rinches de Texas and Asesinato de un Niño en Dallas, Tejas retell a true story of moral injustice and then end with a call for organized action. Pena believes these newer corridos reflect the politicization of the Chicano community and its realization that there is power in collective action. Consequently, recent corridos deal with such topics as unionization, labor strikes, the Texas Rangers, politicians and even smuggling. Pena concludes that corridos typify the Mexican American experience.
KEYWORDS
Americo ParedesAsesinato de un Niño en Dallas, Tejas
Chicano Folklore
Chicano Music
Chicanos
Collective Action
Conflict between Anglos and Chicanos
Corrido
Corrido de Jacinto Trevino
Discriminación a un mártir
Discrimination
Esteban Jordan
Exploitation
Frontier Violence
Hero Corridos
John Connolly
Jose Limon
Land Seizures
Los del Carro Rojo
Los Rinches de Tejas
March from San Juan to Washington D.C.
Melon Strike 1967
Rinches
Smugglers
Southwest
Starr County
Texas Farm Workers Union
Texas Rangers
Three Rivers
Unionization
Veterans
Victim Corridos
World War II