Mexican American Civil Rights History 1900 1960S

The history of Mexican Americans within the United States is very rich and diverse. For one, Mexican American heritage has universally been synonymous with hard work and family-oriented values; both of which are strongly aligned with the culture of the United States. The influence of Latin America continues to grow faster than the country overall. Currently 61 million Latin Americans live in the United States accounting for roughly 18 percent of the population. Through this population growth, the Mexican American community has been interwoven into American society through Spanish colonialism, workers’ rights movements, and most recently immigration

To begin the Mexican revolution of 1910 caused a near tripling of Mexican Americans to the United States. From 1910 to 1930 , the U.S. Census found that nearly 600,000 Mexicans immigrated to the country to flee the violence of the Mexican revolution. In response, Woodrow Wilson would sign the Immigration Act of 1917 to severely limited immigration from Mexico and other Asian countries. Likewise the act imposed strict standards by which all immigrants must pass. One such requirement was the ability to pass a literacy test for immigrants over 16. It also refused entry for convicted criminals, known alcoholics, and those that could bring potentially contagious disease to America. In addition, by 1924 congress would create the border patrol through the passing of the Labor Appropriation Act of 1924. Here, the act looked to establish a dedicated force at both the Canadian and Mexican border to properly reign in immigration. Due in part to the anti-immigration rhetoric throughout the nations, many Latin Americans began to “run towards whiteness.” Here many looked to not embrace their Latin heritage as vehemently as they do today in a effort to appears many white citizens who were very fearful of Mexican immigrants. In addition, this period was marked with widespread discrimination on the part of white Americans against minorities. Here, Latin Americans and African Americans where heavily discriminated against during this period as it relates to economic and political issues. The KKK, looked to discourage Mexican Americans and other minorities from voting. Likewise, many politicians enacted laws designed to segregate an provide privileges to one demographic while ostracizing the other. Laws and economic prosperity where heavily skewed towards white Americans as well, making the “American Dream” harder to obtain. All of these elements coalesced to provide Mexican Americans with a desire to “run towards whiteness” and embrace certain ideals (Arizpe, 1979).

How did Mexican Americans utilize that strategy to resist political and social inequality?

In the early 20th century Mexican Americans began to heavily mobilize and create economic and political pools to exercise many of their rights. This included the formation of insurance pools, voting blocks and other end-of-life financial organizations. Mexican Americans began to exercise their political will be establishing civic organizations designed to improve working conditions for Latin Americans. It was during this period that the first national Latino political movement was established. This organization was so successful that by 1928, Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo began the first Hispanic senator. The ability to establish and maintain a grass roots political and labor movement enabled the Mexican American community to gain both political and financial success early in the 1900’s. By banding together, Mexican Americans where first able to control their financial outcomes by pooling funds together to protect against elements of economic uncertain and discrimination. They invested heavily in job training programs to provide further education as it relates to English literacy and the citizenship process. They also leverage their overall numbers to improve their political power but voting in large blocks.

By the end of World War II these initiatives continued to gain momentum and power. This momentum would lead to the establishment of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and El Congreso de Pueblos que Hablan Espãnol, otherwise know as The Congress of Spanish-Speaking Peoples. Both organizations where charged with limiting discrimination, empowering Latin American communities, and improve the quality of life of minorities in the United States. Both organizations quickly grew throughout the country looking to end ani-Latino discrimination while also breaking the economic barriers that where historically prevalent throughout society.

This term describes the embracing of Latin American ideals, heritage, and customs. Here, the authenticity of these elements is looked to be preserved in a manner that is consistent with the Latin American culture. The embrace of these ideals forms a foundation by white cultural distinctiveness is embraced as opposed to hidden.

What were the goals, accomplishments, and challenges of the Chicana/o movements?

The chicano movement was a movement established in the 1960’s that was designed to promote Latin American identification throughout the United States. The movement advocated for the social and political empowerment of the Latin American community. This movement was a culmination of many decades of racism and discrimination against minorities throughout the country. In particularly Mexican Americans believed they where treated unfairly both from a economic standpoint and form a social statement. Economically, Mexican Americans where denied access to capital to start businesses or to improve their economic standing. They were often charged much higher interest rates, with very restrictive terms, thus lowering their ability to prosper alongside of American society. Socially, many Mexican Americans where treated unequally through racial discrimination and general society stereotypes.