The Chicana and Chicano Movement, La Raza Unida, and Social Movement Partyism: Lessons for Today

In 1970 Chicana and Chicano activists in South Texas created the La Raza Unida Party (LRUP) because of the widespread racial, gender, and class inequality, a third independent political party that transcended its local presence to national reach. In this article briefly explores the relationship between social movements and political parties from a theoretical perspective and examines the rise and fall of LRUP, as well as LRUP’s ongoing relevance for today.