Created by: Mr. Chansen, Stephen T. Department Head - Sunset High School Dallas Independent School District

History Americans of Mexican heritage have been in what is now the United States since well before the founding of the Republic. Immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and other Latin American nations rose sharply during the 20 th century. Partly due to unrest and revolutions in Mexico Most remained in the American Southwest, Texas, and California.

Discrimination Most people of Hispanic heritage lived in Barrios. Barrio – A segregated Hispanic neighborhood. These were the product of both the regions history and of discrimination. Most Barrios were full of run-down & dilapidated housing. High rate of crime, disease, and infant death Discrimination extended to employment as well Most Hispanics were forced into working low-paying menial jobs like agricultural-labourers. During the Great Depression the Hispanic community faced increased discrimination as jobs became increasingly scarcer. This in turn resulted in some returning voluntarily, and others being forced to return to Latin America by a program of repatriation. Repatriation – being restored or returned to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship. World War II resulted in labour shortages Bracero Program – Allowing Mexicans to enter the U.S. for a short term work contract, mainly for farm work. After the war in 1954, President Eisenhower began a program to deport illegal immigrants. Deported about 3.7 million Mexicans over the next 3 years Unfortunately, the program was not to careful, and rounded up people merely for “looking Mexican,” and often would deport U.S. citizens

Others Hispanics begin to Arrive Mexicans remained and continue to remain the largest group of Latino immigrants to the U.S. Puerto Ricans began to arrive in increasing numbers They had an advantage, they had all been U.S. citizens since 1917 Most settled in places along the East Coast like New York City There they encountered high crime and poverty Following the Communist Revolution in Cuba in 1959, over 350,000 Cubans came to the U.S. Most settled around Miami in south Florida Many were well educated professionals Welcomed to the U.S. as refugees fleeing a communist regime By 1970 – over 9 million Latinos lived in the U.S.

Latinos Organize 1929 – Several Mexican-American organizations came together to form the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Its purpose was to fight discrimination against Latinos Membership was limited to Latinos that were U.S. citizens Encouraged assimilation into the American culture Made English its official language Mendez v. Westminster Group of Mexican parents won a court-case against school segregation in California 2 years later, LULAC also went to court to end Texas’ practice of sending Spanish-speaking students to “Mexican” schools. 1950’s - LULAC was also very vocal in protesting the deportation policies 1954 – Hernandez v. Texas, awarded more rights to Latino citizens, including the right to serve on a jury.

Latinos Organize Another Latino Organization was the American GI Forum Founded by Dr. Hector P. Garcia Protected the rights of Mexican-American veterans After WWII, Latinos were excluded from veterans organizations Also denied medical services by the Veterans Administration Brought national attention to a funeral home when it refused to service the funeral of a soldier from WWI because he was a Latino The soldier ended up being buried at Arlington National Cemetery The American GI Forum began to expand and fight for all Latinos Paid poll taxes of poor Hispanics Fought against school segregation Helped fundraise for attorneys Worked to register Latino voters 1968 – Dr. Garcia was appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Today the Forum has nearly 160,000 members

Protest and Progress Beginning of the 1960’s Latinos were still facing discrimination in education, employment and housing. Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta organize two different groups that fought for farm-workers 1965 – the groups go on strike in California Demand Union recognition Higher wages Better benefits When employers resisted, Chavez boycotted table-grapes and the industry profits plunged 1966 – Chavez’ and Huerta’s organizations merge New group called the United Farm Workers (UFW) 1968 – Chavez holds a hunger strike which lasts for 25 days to protest talk of violent protest within the organization 1970 – Employers give up and agree to higher wages and better working conditions

Latino Students 1967 – Latino college students in San Antonio TX, led by Jose Angel Gutierrez, founded the Mexican America Youth Organization (MAYO) Organized walk-out & strikes to protest discrimination One walk-out led to the creation of a bi-lingual education program in a Texas high school – Gutierrez founds a new political party, La Raza Unida Called for job training programs & better access to financial institutions By the early 1970’s it had elected Latinos to offices in several major cities Mexican-Americans began to refer to themselves as Chicanos Many fought to implement bilingualism in schools Bilingualism – the practice of teaching immigrant students in their own language This was very controversial and an English-only movement sprang up By 2000, over half the U.S. states had passed laws making English the official language

The effort of fighting discrimination had fostered new-found pride in the cultural identity of Hispanics. During the 1960’s a new art movement sprang up called the Chicano Mural Movement Artist teamed up with community volunteers and painted large murals on walls and the side of schools, churches, and highway overpasses. Inspired by artists Diego Garcia and Jose Orozco. Depicted Mexican-American culture Reminded Latinos of their cultural heritage and religion Major impact was it reminded Hispanics of their cultural impact on and value to the United States. However a downside was that in some places it further separated Hispanics, rather than focusing on uniting them with the rest of the American population.