One of the fastest growing ethnic groups within the United States is the Chicano/Latino population. Chicanos are people of Mexican descent in the United States. The term Latino refers to all persons of Latin American backgrounds including Chicanos who reside in this country. With an estimated number of about 30 million, Latinos are expected to become the largest minority population in the country exceeding the African American community.

Bridging Cultures is an introductory text containing a variety of articles and essays by key Chicano/Latino scholars and writers. It is intended to provide an introduction to some of the key issues facing Chicanos/Latinos from both a historical and contemporary perspective.

Bridging Cultures provides students a broad understanding of the role that Chicanos/Latinos have played in the United States society and the increasing role they are playing into the 21st century.