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Mendez v Westminster School District
In 1945 Gonzalo Mendez sent his kids off to the local Californian public school, only to be told they'd have to attend a different school due to their Mexican heritage and "Language Defficiency". He took this to court, where it ruled in his favor, the school violated california law. Mexican Americans were not second class citizens. http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/strmen.html -
Creation of the American G.I. Forum
The American G.I. Forum was created by Dr. Hector Perez Garcia to help Hispanic servicemen to overcome the many barriers that they were forced to face. He wanted to give Hispanic servicemen access to the many freedoms that America has to offer. http://www.agifusa.org/history -
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez was born a poor farmboy in AZ, he grew up with the burdens and hardships of a migrant farm worker, taking labor intensive jobs where available, he had little schooling. after working for 35 years, He decided to make a change in the early 60's, when he started the National Farm Workers' Association, and began a strike against the grape growers, to achieve better rights and conditions for migrant workers of the U.S southwest.
http://www.biography.com/people/cesar-chavez-9245781 -
United Farm Workers of America Formed
The United Farm Workers of America formed to help its members, composed of poor migrant workers, get increased wages and improved working conditions. In September of 1965, a worker's strike began that was against the grape farms where many Mexican-Americans worked. They wanted to revieve federal minimum wage. The strike lasted 5 years and included over 10,000 workers. They recieved minimum wage when the strike ended. http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/United+Farm+Workers+of+America -
YCCA turns into the Brown Berets
The YCCA became more violent after putting up with the constant abuse of the LAPD. This more hostile group became known as the Brown Berets. http://brownberets.webs.com/1970spresent.htm -
Reagan Passes Immigration Reform and Control Act
this act really cracke down on illegal immigrants, and made it harder for immigrants to get to the U.S. Employers had to attest to their employee's legality, and illegal immigration became a serious crime. This made it especially hard for Mexicans to immigrate to america. Illegal Immigrants in the U.S before 1982 were granted amnesty, provided they confess and pay backtaxes. http://www.bu.edu/hr/policies/federal-and-state-laws/immigration-reform-and-control-act-irca/ -
Arizona: Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act
This act was passed by Arizona state legislature to direct law enforcement to investigate the lawful nature of someones immigration based on "reasonable suspition." http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/support_our_law_enforcement_and_safe_neighborhoods_act_of_2010 -
Major Accomplishments
Chicanos managed to overcome a discrimination as unjust as the one blacks suffered in the 1950's and 60's. civil rights movement doesn't just refer to blacks. Mexicans immigrated to this land to seek the amercan dream. they worked in the hot southwest sun and suffered injustice at the hands of lawmakers and field owners. but they overcame. Cesar Chavez and the chicanos formed together to rise above white supression and obtain equality. They earned their place as a significant race in America. -
Problems Chicanos Face Today
Many Mexican-Americans still face problems from discrimination. Many jobs are not as available to Mexican-Americans as they are to other Americans. Because of this, in many cases, Chicanos earn a lower income and have a relatively high high school dropout rate, which will further perpetuate this low-income cycle.
