Los vendidos play. Los opportunities.alumdev.columbia.edu 2022-10-21

"Los Vendidos" is a play written by Chicano playwright Luis Valdez in the late 1960s. The title of the play, which means "The Sellouts" in English, refers to the characters in the play who are depicted as being "sold out" to mainstream society and its expectations. The play is a satire that comments on the assimilation of Chicano people into mainstream American culture and the damaging effects this assimilation can have on their identity and sense of self.

The play follows the story of a shopkeeper named Mr. Santiesteban who is in search of a "model Chicano" to display in his store as a means of attracting business. To find this "model Chicano," Mr. Santiesteban visits a junkyard where he is presented with a variety of "Chicanos" to choose from, each one representing a different stereotype or caricature of the Chicano experience. These characters include a revolutionary, a farmer, a soldier, and a gang member, among others.

As Mr. Santiesteban debates which of these characters to choose, the play delves into the complexities of Chicano identity and the ways in which mainstream society has sought to define and control it. The play's characters are all aware of the expectations placed upon them as Chicanos and struggle with the decision of whether to conform to these expectations or resist them.

Ultimately, "Los Vendidos" is a powerful critique of the ways in which mainstream society has sought to pigeonhole and exploit Chicano culture for its own purposes. Through its sharp wit and clever use of satire, the play exposes the damaging effects of assimilation and encourages Chicanos to embrace their own unique identities and resist the pressure to conform to mainstream expectations. Overall, "Los Vendidos" is a thought-provoking and powerful work that continues to resonate with audiences today.