Pick up handouts (pink and yellow)
Mexican American Civil Rights
Crystal City Walk-Out
On December 9, 1969, American students of Mexican ancestry walked out of class in response to the inadequate and antagonistic responses of the Anglo-controlled school board. Mexican-American and proposed remedies. Some of the educational issues were: · Employ more Mexican-American teachers that would be more sensitive to Mexican-American students; · Create a Mexican-American studies class; · Homecoming Queen should be elected by the students and no one else; · Change school board policy in regards to selecting the cheerleaders; · Eliminate the Dual Sweetheart policy for the baseball team; · Allow students to speak Spanish at school; · Install Bilingual Education; · Get rid of racist teachers; · Student led elections for organizations and clubs, instead of teachers.
The walkout lasted until the federal government Civil Rights Commission mediated a compromise between the school board and the students. The duration of the walkout was two weeks.
Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) Used non-violent methods Fought for the rights of migrant farm workers With his wife, Chavez taught Mexican immigrants to read and organized voter registration drives Co-Founded the National Farm Workers Association Used strikes and boycotts (lettuce and grapes) to gain rights for farm workers Led a nationwide boycott of grapes Name later changed to United Farm Workers Motto: “Si, se puede” Was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awP3yXv-4ng
Dolores Huerta (1930 - Worked to improve social and economic conditions of immigrant workers and fought to end discrimination Created the Agricultural Workers Association and co-founded the United Farm Workers Lobbied politicians on many issues Allowing migrant workers w/out U.S. Citizenship to receive public assistance and pensions and creating Spanish-language voting ballots and driver tests Received the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom Award and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award Also was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame Quote: “Walk the street with us into history. Get off the sidewalk”
Hector P. Garcia (1914-1996) Served in the Medical Corps during WWII Fought against discrimination of Mexican Americans Organized the American G.I. Forum to improve veteran benefits and give them better medical attention Soon expanded to address educational and vocational training, housing, public education, poll taxation, voter registration, hospitalization, and employment He was Awarded the American Medal of Freedom First Mexican Americans to receive this honor Motto: “Education is our freedom, and freedom is everybody’s business”
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Established in Corpus Christi, Texas Believes in assimilation Work to advance the economic condition, educational opportunities, political influence, and civil rights for Hispanics Americans
La Raza Unida Started in Crystal City, Texas and spread to the Southwestern United States Centered on Chicano Nationalism Wanted better housing, work, and educational opportunities for Mexican Americans
Mexican American Legal Defense Educational Fund (MALDEF) Founded in San Antonio, Texas Brought important civil rights cases before the Supreme Court such as: White v. Regester Edgewood ISD vs. Kirby Rodriguez v. San Antonio ISD
The Five Battlefronts: Still exists today The Five Battlefronts: Educational Social Spiritual Economic Political