The word cholo comes from the Nahuatl word “Xoloitzcuintlil”, which refers to a dog that is native to Latin America. When the Spanish people showed up in Mexico, they used the word “Xolo” (pronounced cholo) to describe mixed indigenous people whom they (the Spaniards) thought were less than them, and compared them to being like the “Xolo” dogs. Fast forward many many moons- even though the word Cholo has been around for a while its meaning now and the way people use it is still somewhat the same. The word cholo nowadays is typically used as a derogatory word to describe a low income, low class, Mexican-American (second generation +) gangsters, amongst a variety of other things. Cholos are known for their rebellion against the usual norms, protecting and representing their neighborhood and the Mexican culture through art, resistance against colonization, tattoos, and also for their brotherhood. Cholos are looked at as the no good of society, they are outcasts who feel a sense of responsibility to protect and serve their community and their families at whatever cost. Cholos take pride in protecting their neighborhood, since they feel as though they cannot depend on the cops to do such for them.
Before the Cholos, we had the Pachucos in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Pachuco culture was at its peak during the World War II, and just like the Cholos- Pachucos were Mexican-American teenagers who rebelled against the norms, prejudices and inequalities that Mexicans dealt with on a day to day basis. The Pachucos had their flamboyant way of dressing, they wore “Zoot Suits” which many saw as unpatriotic. The Pachucos signature style consisted of baggy pants (which were typically waist high), long chains, long coats, suspenders, bandanas, and a “tando” (hat).One big problem that society had with the way Pachucos dressed was due to the amount of fabric they used to make their famous Zoot Suits. At the time, The War Preparedness board had put many restrictions on the amount of fabric that could be used for pretty much anything other than the outfits used for the war. The Pachuco’s attire caused a lot of controversy and they quickly found themselves in trouble with many people who disapproved. Some of those who disapproved- servicemen! The disapproval of the servicemen (specifically sailors) towards the Pachucos was so bad, that both groups had a big brawl in the year 1943. Servicemen stripped Pachucos down to their underwear and then proceeded to burn their items of clothing as a way to show their disapproval and their hatred. Things got so bad that the Los Angeles council made wearing a Zoot Suit something that could be punishable with a jail sentence. With what seemed to be the end of the Pachucos and the beginning of the Cholos, some things changed- style being one of those things.
One of the most important things in the Pachuco and Cholo subculture has been their distinctive sense of style. Although their style has evolved during the years, some of their clothing artifacts have remained the same throughout time. Style is very important for the Cholo subculture because it is used as a form of expression and representation of who they are and who they are claiming to be and represent, whether they’re representing a specific hood or a gang. Cholos usual attire consists of Nike Cortez shoes, clean button-down shirts, baggy Dickies pants (usually khaki), belts, bandanas, rosaries (as necklaces to represent their catholic religion), and sunglasses. Whether they are in their town or away from it, if you see a cholo you will probably be able to recognize them due to their distinctive sense of style. You might even be able to guess which hood or gang they claim or what it is that they represent, from the items of clothing that they are wearing (or the particular color).
The cholo style is heavily associated with the gang culture, and they often use bandanas as artifacts that represent something more than just a fashion accessory. Depending on where the cholos are from, you might see them wearing a red, blue, or black bandana. Different colors represent different gangs or different hoods. You can usually find cholos wearing bandanas either on their head, folded neatly and hanging on their pants back pocket, or tied around and covering their face (to hide their identity). The bandana is one of the most significant and most important pieces of clothing for the cholos due to the easiness of being to identify their gang due its color. Cholos choose bandanas as an artifact and a way of identifying themselves with whatever specific gang they are in. If you see a cholo wearing a bandana you will be able to identify that they are in a gang- for example if you see a cholo wearing a red bandana, you will know that they belong to the norteno gang.
Two big cholo gangster rivals the Nortenos and the Surenos- though they are enemies, both gangs have similar upbringings and are essentially fighting the same social battles. The way of dressing for both of these rival gangs is somewhat similar and both gangs use bandanas as one of their main articles of clothing, but one of the main things that differentiates them is the color they choose to wear (amongst other things). The Nortenos tend to always wear the color red, whether it be red hats, red shirts, red shoes or shoelaces, etc. They also have similar tattoos of the numbers “14” or the words “Norte” (North). They wear such colors and have those tattoos in order to be able to be noticed by other members of the gang (or members of opposite gangs). The Surenos use the color blue and the number 13 as a way to be identifiable to their own members, or rivals.
When it comes to Cholos and how the media depicts them, there is a mix of good and bad. The Cholo style has been used by many famous people for Halloween costumes, and in their music videos (for example Gwen Stefani’s “Luxurious” video). People argue that non hispanics wearing the Cholo style is cultural appropriation and meant to be racist. They want to dress like cholos, but they do not know the history behind what they are wearing. It seems like being a cholo is a trend in the most recent years, look at shows such as “On My Block”, or “Orange Is The New Black”. Both shows have Cholos and they portray them as being tough, violent, and uneducated, low lives, who are good for nothing, and always in and out of the prison system, amongst other things. It is almost as though being a Cholo is the new cool thing in the media, but there is much more to it. They glorify their style and culture on television, but damn them in real life.
Cholos like to think of themselves as one big family (“La familia”) who help and supports each other. As Mexican-Americans, Cholos know the struggles that come with being in a country that does not necessarily care for minorities. Most are children of immigrants who were born in the United States, yet they still do not feel like they entirely “fit in” here in the states, and also feel as though they do not “fit in” in their parents native country of Mexico. Cholos fight for fairness and though they have a tough exterior, they are always united and looking for ways to help their “Raza”. Both the Pachucos and the Cholos have been advocates for Chicano Pride, and can even be looked at as being activists for their people and their communities. Together they have fought and continue fighting for a better life for their children and that of our culture as a whole, though their way of doing so can be seen as intense. I had the pleasure of interviewing a Cholo (Agustin “Oso” C.) from my old neighborhood and he told me about ways that he and his fellow Cholo members are involved in their community. They gather once a month to help clean the streets of their “Fair Oaks Block”, they are very active in their children's soccer team and even take turns making and selling food during the games (proceeds go back to their children’s low income school), they also keep a close relationship with the towns sheriffs and think of ways in which they can keep the peace between gangs and the officers. They want to make sure that their children have a much better childhood than they did, and they all agree that it starts by giving back to the community that has watched them all grow. “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” (Cesar Chavez) The Cholos and their rebelion will live on, but hopefully in a way more peaceful manner than in the past. Cholos continue to express themselves through art, music, poetry and style, which has not changed all that much in the past years. As someone who grew up around Cholos her whole life, I am looking forward to seeing how they evolve and what changes they make in the future. One thing I hope remains, is their loyalty and the pride they have for their culture and their people.
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