1. Clay Chastain, Jenny Reyes, and Danielle Schmitt The History of Marginalization of Mexican-Americans

2.  “to place in a position of marginal importance, influence, or power”  Can be defined through a number of factors  For Mexican-Americans, marginalization is represented through their history of discrimination. What is Marginalization?

3.  Video link Video link  A new documentary featured on PBS talking about Mexican-American discrimination  Focused on Hernandez v. Texas

4. Map of Current Mexican- American Populations

5. The History of Marginalization

6.  In the 1800s, discrimination began as a series of cultural distinctions  Soon turned into biological arguments  Mexican Americans had complete political control of southwestern areas of the United States  The influx of whites stripped this power. Early History

7.  The process of marginalizing Mexican- Americans can be divided into four groups: ◦ Control of land, leading to subordination ◦ Cultural racism, leading to institutionalization of racism ◦ Discrimination, leading to a definite location in the racial structure ◦ Assimilation, leading to a crystallization of a racialized identity Early History

8.  The process of marginalizing Mexican- Americans can be divided into four groups: ◦ Control of land, leading to subordination ◦ Cultural racism, leading to institutionalization of racism ◦ Discrimination, leading to a definite location in the racial structure ◦ Assimilation, leading to a crystallization of a racialized identity Early History

9.  Political pressures from the US helped ensure that Mexico was a second-class nation and an amply supply of labor.  Missions in the 1900’s attempted to “civilize” Mexicans, at the same time, creating the idea that they were an “other”.  Identities are created by the white population, reinforcing over time ideas of superiority. Impacts of Early History

10. The Laws and Politics of Marginalization

11.  Largely the most influential civil rights movement for Mexican-Americans and other Hispanic populations.  The African American civil rights movement was the largest initiator.  However, while successful at the time, re- racialization is occurring because of the social outcry of new immigrants. Chicano Movement

12. Marginalization in the Education System

13.  The future workforce will be comprised of increasingly more immigrants and minorities.  However, their schooling often poorly prepares them for a number of reasons.  The largest factor in college dropouts of minorities (28%) is low social integration. Factors in Education

14.  Low social integration is often blamed on the idea of “racialized spaces”, the idea that minorities intrude on traditionally white aspects of school involvement.  Whiteness is rewarded, while otherness is not accepted; a product of systemic racism. Factors in Education

15.  Disproportionate amounts of teachers and principles of Mexican-American backgrounds in the education system.  Mexican-Americans are still lagging behind other groups in the system due to the lack of enrolment and the generally poor reading scores they receive.  Underrepresentation is blamed as a large factor in developing a proper environment where students can belong to. Underrepresentation

16. Marginalization in the Military System

17.  Marginalization of Mexican-Americans is a deeply rooted issue in US society.  While much work has been done to correct the wrongs in the past, Mexican-Americans are still being marginalized today.  The process of re-racialization may be to blame. Conclusions / Q&A

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