ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide clear examples of the continuity, the richness, and the complexity of the relationship between Mexico and the Mexican-origin community from the 19th century to the present day. It offers an interpretive overview with a detailed narrative of this complex relationship. The chapter addresses the context of the links and analyzes key topics of Chicana/o-Mexicana/o relations: Lo Mexicano in Aztlan; Culture across Borders; and Mexico's outreach policies towards "El Mexico de Afuera" (Mexico from the Outside). The chapter reveals the role and seminal importance that Mexico has represented for the Chicana/o community in terms of legacy, culture, and even political life. The cultural influence of Mexico in Aztlan can also be attributed to such areas as Mexican music. Mexican folk songs and corridos have been popular among the Chicana/o community since the 19th century. Their main themes frequently narrated historical events, the exploits of local heroes and "social bandits," or immigration issues.
