For the first time in Chicago’s history, Latinos in 2020 became the largest racial or ethnic group – surpassing Black residents, according to a Sun-Times analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
Latinos, in particular Mexican and Mexican American communities, fought for decades against federal immigration and municipal policies to make Chicago their home. Mike Amezcua’s “Making Mexican Chicago: From Postwar Settlement to the Age of Gentrification,” chronicles the plight of these communities on the city’s Southwest Side, detailing how Mexican residents built communities and homes despite policies intended to push them out of the city.
At the 2022 Printers Row Lit Fest, event moderator and Sun-Times social justice and wage gap reporter, Elvia Malagón, and author Mike Amezcua discussed the evolution of Chicago’s Mexican community.
This event is made possible by the generous support of The Chicago Community Trust.
Social Justice in Chicago was one of four panels hosted by Chicago Public Media at Printers Row Lit Fest. To watch other panels, visit the Sun-Times’ Printers Row Lit Fest 2022 playlist.
