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Drink Cultura: Chicanismo
This book is about the Chicano experience of living within, between and sometimes outside of two cultures--the damnation and salvation, and the celebration of it all.
"In some ways a book Erma Bombeck might have written, that is, if she were from El Paso, dressed in Tony Lama boots, and full fledged member of raza."--Gary Soto
"A passionately lyrical lección para todos about the history of the Western and Southwestern people. Burciaga is deeply rooted in the indigenous realities."--Carlos Santana
"In some ways a book Erma Bombeck might have written, that is, if she were from El Paso, dressed in Tony Lama boots, and full fledged member of raza."--Gary Soto
"A passionately lyrical lección para todos about the history of the Western and Southwestern people. Burciaga is deeply rooted in the indigenous realities."--Carlos Santana
140 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1992
48 people are currently reading
1299 people want to read
About the author
José Antonio Burciaga
13 books24 followersJosé Antonio "Tony" Burciaga (1940 – October 7, 1996) was a Chicano artist, poet, and writer who explored issues of Chicano identity and American society.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 18, 2020
Overall I really like this book. This book is divided into 26 essays that span the Chicano experience and besides being a very quick read, it was a very interesting one. Burciaga defines what it is to be Chicano, the stigma placed on the word from both sides, and other culturally important ideas and values such as the origin of Poinsettia Plant. I marked up this book almost every page. This is one of this books I felt really understood me. 5/5 would read again.
February 8, 2022
I picked this book up at the library because it was in the recommended-by-the-library section. It’s a book of essays in some way discussing Chicanos. It being in the recently-recommended section, along with the cover art, had me assuming it was a semi-recent book but it was actually published in 1992! I didn’t even think to question the publication date til I was a bit into it, so I would say it held up really well.
For me, the first half was really impactful. Even if it was things I’ve learned about in school, I felt like I was really exploring all sort of ideas related to Chicanos. For me, as a queer Chicano writer, it sort of just appeared at the right time for me to read it. I didn’t connect with the 2nd half as much but I still appreciated it. I think it could have gone even further on some of the essays but overall I really enjoyed it.
For me, the first half was really impactful. Even if it was things I’ve learned about in school, I felt like I was really exploring all sort of ideas related to Chicanos. For me, as a queer Chicano writer, it sort of just appeared at the right time for me to read it. I didn’t connect with the 2nd half as much but I still appreciated it. I think it could have gone even further on some of the essays but overall I really enjoyed it.
January 9, 2010
This book is a quick read with 26 chapters that reflect on Chicano history, language, family values, and cultural norms. It also includes chapters on the author's own experiences growing up Chicano in the United States, having lived in Texas, California, and Washington, D.C., and having traveled to Mexico and Spain. His writing is flavored with Spanish and Spanglish expressions and slang. It's a great blend of personal and Chicano history. A great read for Americans who work with Hispanic populations, or young Chicanos who want to learn a little about their own history.
August 17, 2007
Author has strong knowledge of Chicano history. It gets a bit repetative. The chapters are short and would serve as great conversation pieces for students.
December 2, 2008
Mi vida... This book is well written and very true if you have lived the life of a Mexican American. The insights and humor ....
June 3, 2009
This was a fast read but very witty and at times felt like he was talking about my life is some of the short essays. This is such a great book.
January 2, 2024
I read my own Chicano history.
October 17, 2024
Rog, this is somewhere in the house. If you find it, add it to your list and read it. Then give it to me so I can reread. 🙌🏽
September 23, 2019
I had a high expectation for this book, but I didn’t have any resonance when I’m reading. I can’t even feel like I want to say anything after I finished. Anyway. It would be a good material/ entrance book if you’re interested in talking about Chicano Culture with people. Small size chapters, quick reading.
January 18, 2016
I bought this book many, many years ago while I was an undergrad. I graduated with a B.A. in Chicano and Latino Studies, so the theme of this book was the main focus of what I studied in college. I almost forgot I had this book until I was sorting things out of my book boxes at the beginning of the new year. I became very excited when I found it because it brought back memories of everything I held dear in my late teens and early twenties. I had high hopes for this book.
This book was a compilation of small chapters of Burciaga's opinions of different things in the Chicano culture (Chicano= A Mexican American). I especially loved reading his chapters on the origins of Mexican words and phrases as well as Mexican items, such as the pinata. Many of the things discussed in the book, like the history, I was already aware of. However, it was nice to view Burciaga's perspective on how the Chicano came to be. The chapters that I found to be less interesting were the ones on his family and friends. Burciaga was trying to give examples of Chicano life but to me I found them pointless. It felt as if Burciaga was trying to tell people that his experiences were things that ALL Chicanos go through. Being Mexican born but raised in California, my Chicano experiences were vastly different from Burciaga's, as well as any other Chicano living here in the U.S., thus I was not able to connect with most of Burciaga's experiences. Other than these chapters, the other chapters were very interesting and entertaining.
In the end, I was happy to have found this book and finally cross it off my TBR list. It was not the greatest book, but I still found myself enjoying it (I even highlighted many parts in the book). The book is very small and it's a quick read. I recommend it to those who want to learn some of the origins of the Chicano culture.
This book was a compilation of small chapters of Burciaga's opinions of different things in the Chicano culture (Chicano= A Mexican American). I especially loved reading his chapters on the origins of Mexican words and phrases as well as Mexican items, such as the pinata. Many of the things discussed in the book, like the history, I was already aware of. However, it was nice to view Burciaga's perspective on how the Chicano came to be. The chapters that I found to be less interesting were the ones on his family and friends. Burciaga was trying to give examples of Chicano life but to me I found them pointless. It felt as if Burciaga was trying to tell people that his experiences were things that ALL Chicanos go through. Being Mexican born but raised in California, my Chicano experiences were vastly different from Burciaga's, as well as any other Chicano living here in the U.S., thus I was not able to connect with most of Burciaga's experiences. Other than these chapters, the other chapters were very interesting and entertaining.
In the end, I was happy to have found this book and finally cross it off my TBR list. It was not the greatest book, but I still found myself enjoying it (I even highlighted many parts in the book). The book is very small and it's a quick read. I recommend it to those who want to learn some of the origins of the Chicano culture.
December 31, 2018
A friend suggested this book as a primer on Chicano culture. It consists of 26 essays, each reflecting a different aspect of being Chicano. I learned a lot! For example, did you know that poinsettias were brought to the US by an ambassador to Mexico (whose last name was Poinsett)? They are native to Mexico and had been used to celebrate Christmas and Aztec celebrations before that. This totally explains why I have never seen a poinsettia plant growing in a garden, always in a pot, since they come from a hot climate.
Another fact he shared: A good reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is that if France had won that battle, they might have helped the South with their ties to that region and America might have lost the Civil War.
Other aspects covered included how Chicanos love to eat a jalepeno with a meal, what it's like to grow up in Catholic schools where they weren't allowed to speak Spanish, and why most Mexican heroes are bandits or outlaws (like Tiburcio Vasquez). They aren't viewed as criminals but as brave people fighting back against conquering oppressors and chose to live outside the.
Sometimes he just shares his memories: the infamous Juarez nightlife of the 60's, friends from his youth who died in Vietnam and were never properly remembered on the memorial, getting lost in the desert as a kid, and trying Taco Bell for the first time while writing this book in 1992. (He puzzles over the Enchirito and Mexican pizza on the menu.)
Super sad he died just 3 years after this book was published.
Another fact he shared: A good reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is that if France had won that battle, they might have helped the South with their ties to that region and America might have lost the Civil War.
Other aspects covered included how Chicanos love to eat a jalepeno with a meal, what it's like to grow up in Catholic schools where they weren't allowed to speak Spanish, and why most Mexican heroes are bandits or outlaws (like Tiburcio Vasquez). They aren't viewed as criminals but as brave people fighting back against conquering oppressors and chose to live outside the.
Sometimes he just shares his memories: the infamous Juarez nightlife of the 60's, friends from his youth who died in Vietnam and were never properly remembered on the memorial, getting lost in the desert as a kid, and trying Taco Bell for the first time while writing this book in 1992. (He puzzles over the Enchirito and Mexican pizza on the menu.)
Super sad he died just 3 years after this book was published.
August 20, 2017
This is a wonderful book that talks about Chicanismo, what does it mean to be a Chicano? What does it mean to be Mexican and American at the same time? To be neither from here or there?
It's a book that resonates with me and I'm sure will resonate with many other people who grew up with two (or more) cultures.
You will find small essays about the importance of the jalapeño, the campesino theater movement, and death in our culture(s). It really is a beautiful collection of essays and stories that really show you the multifaceted life of a Chicano.
It's a book that resonates with me and I'm sure will resonate with many other people who grew up with two (or more) cultures.
You will find small essays about the importance of the jalapeño, the campesino theater movement, and death in our culture(s). It really is a beautiful collection of essays and stories that really show you the multifaceted life of a Chicano.
January 4, 2015
This is a difficult book to review, although I liked it and would recommend it because of the content and subject matter, I didn't find his writing style engaging. It felt a little too basic at times, which makes me think this would be a great read for a young adult looking to learn more about Chicano history. It's a good starting off point.
In terms if the subject, it appeared to be well researched and offered new insights into "common knowledge".
In terms if the subject, it appeared to be well researched and offered new insights into "common knowledge".
December 17, 2017
"Drink Cultura" is exactly that. In this collection of essays Jose Antonio Burciaga discusses the various Historical Chicano events. Most importantly for me, he introduces Dr. Ernesto Galarza, a Chicano activist in the Californian Immigrant Farmworker Union movement and who was nominated for a Nobel Prize in 1976. The question that now arises is: who are the next generation of Chicanas y Chicanos fighting for equality and equity in our community? #DrinkCultura #Chicana
March 17, 2019
3.5 stars. The twenty-seven essays that this book is comprised of were written in the eighties. I say that because the themes Burciaga focuses on appear to hover in the context of this decade. Overall, I would say it has aged well. Although short in length, Burciaga packs each essay with tons of history and personal anecdotes. My only critique is that it often seemed liked the essays were not as fully developed as they could be. Overall, an interesting reflection on Chicano identity.
July 16, 2015
DRINK CULTURA unfolds as an interesting explorations and recollection of Chicano-related anecdotes, but historical and personal, which Burciaga's narrative delivers with a zest that only a Latino voice can. This book will be appreciated by any reader with the smallest inclination to learn more about Chicanismo and that love-hate relationship between the Mexican and American cultures.
April 28, 2016
This is a quick read - a collection of essays and stories of the reality of Chicanismo, yet I found myself stretching out my reading of this book for enjoyment's sake. Burciaga's writing is a witty conversation with the reader, sometimes wily, but in the end deeply reflective of the importance and legacy of the Chicano culture.
May 28, 2012
Very interesting vignettes about Tiburcio Vasquez,Ernesto Galarza and the first Chicano actor hired by Luis Valdez for the Teatro Campesino, also, very interesting are his stories set in El Paso and Juarez.
June 14, 2013
Beautiful stories that allow us to further analyze our Chicano heritage. Wonderful book! Due to its content, it can be a supplemental book for teaching Chicano studies, History of the U.S, or Sociology of Latinos.
May 26, 2019
Musings about Chicano culture and history from a member of Culture Clash from Texas. Different essays explore everything from Chicano social bandit/rebel leader Tibercio Vasquez to the culture around bars in Juarez.
October 28, 2007
Me like this one! haha
November 29, 2007
Burciaga's slice-of-life reflections are extremely accessible. He was somebody I would have liked to hang out with.
December 19, 2007
Must read.
February 28, 2008
I loved the chapter on pendejismo
May 1, 2008
Really cool, especially considering when it was written.
Read
March 5, 2009Everything! Especially the feeling of not being able to be part of one culture without having to disappoint the other.
August 29, 2010
This book was short and interestingly informative. I liked how the author spoke to the reader as if he were present in the room, sharing stories of his life.
May 14, 2013
Rich, fun, and engaging history told through humorous prose.
July 25, 2013
It was interesting! It was a quick read and pretty entertaining. The material is light and easy to get through. The history isn't too heavy but it's great to get a basic idea of what's happened.
August 2, 2013
This was a fast read but very witty and at times felt like he was talking about my life is some of the short essays. This is such a great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews