la raza

American  

[lah-rah-sah] / lɑˈrɑ sɑ /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letters)

1. (used with a plural verb) the people of Mexico or Mexican Americans, collectively.

2. (used with a singular verb) Mexican or Mexican American culture.

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Etymology

Origin of la raza

First recorded in 1920–25; literally, “the race,” shortening of La raza cósmica “The Cosmic Race,” a 1925 essay by José Vasconcelos Calderón (1882–1959), Mexican writer, philosopher, and politician, in which Vasconcelos Calderón claims that a future worldwide community will develop from the mixture of all the racial and ethnic groups of the world, which he believed had begun in Latin America; from Spanish la, the feminine singular definite article + raza race ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

“We understand why it’s important to have so many joyful moments,” said Jacqueline Inda, director of the Restorative Justice Education Center at La Casa de La Raza in Santa Barbara, whose group, which helps immigrant families in fear of deportation or those arrested by federal immigration agents, usually participates in the parade.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re doing community patrols before school and after school around the neighborhood,” said Lupe Carrasco Cardona, a member of the Assn. of La Raza Educators.

From Los Angeles Times

The names of his contemporaries and his family join declarations like “Arte Chicano Existe” and “Que Viva La Raza.”

From Los Angeles Times

Additionally, El Chilar Rodriguez of Apopka, Fla., recalled 127 cases of El Chilar Ground Cinnamon “Canela Molida” sold in 1.25-ounce bags, distributed by La Raza of Forestville, Md. and sold at retail stores throughout Maryland.

From Salon

“Where’s the banda? Those are the things we need so that la raza can enjoy themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times