Assimilation happens

[Ordie]

Assimilation happens

Ruben Navarrette Jr., San Diego Union-Tribune
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Many Americans look down their noses at recent immigrants even while looking back nostalgically at their own immigrant forebears. Some thread that needle by maintaining that recent immigrants, most of whom come from Asia and Latin America, don't measure up to previous waves that came mostly from European countries.
For instance, the current crop of immigrants supposedly refuses to assimilate. How infuriating - and, in most cases, according to a new study on assimilation from the libertarian Manhattan Institute, how untrue.
Billed as the first annual Index of Immigrant Assimilation, the study was authored by Duke University Professor Jacob Vigdor. The index measured three types of assimilation: economic (employment, education, homeownership); cultural (intermarriage, English proficiency, family size); and civic (citizenship rates, military service, voting). Then it compared the assimilation rates of recent immigrants by country of origin. It also measured how immigrants are assimilating compared to those who arrived in the early 1900s. Those from Vietnam, Cuba and the Philippines have high rates of assimilation across the board. But those from India and Canada have among the lowest rates of civic assimilation, because many of them don't become naturalized.
The survey didn't differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants because it relied on census data, and the census doesn't ask respondents their legal status.
Far from discovering that recent immigrants were dragging their feet through the assimilation process, the study found that "immigrants of the past quarter-century have assimilated more rapidly than their counterparts of a century ago, even though they are more distinct from the native population upon arrival." In other words, the immigrants arrive with more miles to travel in terms of adjusting to the mainstream, yet they get there in record time.
Some Americans will have a tough time buying that. When they think of whether immigrants are assimilating, they don't think of studies and indexes. Instead, they want to know why ATMs offer the option of banking in Vietnamese, or why we have ballots in Chinese. And what about Spanish-language billboards, or the fact that the local library offers a bilingual story time?
Rest easy. America's ability to integrate new immigrants is, according to the study, as strong as ever. Assimilation happens, whether the immigrants like it or not, even if, as is often the case, it takes a generation to complete the process.
"The children of immigrants make up most of the ground that separated their parents from the native-born," Vigdor told me.
And that's true even with the one population that has the lowest rate of assimilation: Mexicans. Although they have relatively normal rates of cultural assimilation - and are more likely to be culturally assimilated than immigrants from China and India - Mexicans also have low levels of civic and economic assimilation.
I asked Vigdor if Mexican immigrants aren't traveling the same path as say, Italian immigrants in the early 20th century.
"The answer is no," he said. "There are many groups in the U.S. today that are making more rapid progress than the Italians of a hundred years ago, but Mexicans are not."
Still, Vigdor maintains, cultural influences are a two-way street. This isn't a test that Mexicans are failing.
"The index measures degree of similarity between natives and the foreign-born," he said. "But we're not imposing a requirement that the immigrants have to become more like the native-born. The process can work both ways."
Vigdor insisted that one of the things preventing Mexicans from assimilating is that - as primarily economic migrants from a country that borders the United States - many of them expect to go back home at some point, and so they feel less pressure to assimilate. That's harmful for both the immigrant and the United States.
"We're developing this permanent group of - you could call them second-class citizens but the term 'citizen' doesn't even apply," he said. "They serve a vital role in the economy. But they don't have the full rights of citizens or even permanent residents. They're in the shadows of the labor market. They're a very vulnerable population."
Many Mexicans may expect their stay in the United States to be temporary and so they are in no hurry to forsake Mexico. But eventually, reality sets in. Years from now, they'll find themselves owning homes, paying taxes and integrated into the culture, with kids who work in offices and grandkids who attend college. While they were making other plans, they will have assimilated and lived the American dream.
And we'll all be better for it.

Source:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/21/ED5G10PMJ8.DTL&type=printable

[The Black Watch]

I noticed Canadians were the lowest in this study.
Maybe its because they do not like American bear

[AGE-Ranger]

That opening sentence is pretty ironic! What a condescending and inaccurate article.

[hank]

That opening sentence is pretty ironic! What a condescending and inaccurate article.

Elaborate, please. How is it condescending? What is inaccurate?

hank

[Ordie]

That opening sentence is pretty ironic! What a condescending and inaccurate article.

Its an opinion column.
Not a news article.

[hank]

I think its pretty interesting stuff. Guy uses census data to look at assimilation. Its such an urban legend that immigrants are "ruining" this country but nobody really looks at data. Hats off to the dude from Duke for looking at the numbers.

hank

[Bulletproof]

I noticed Canadians were the lowest in this study.
Maybe its because they do not like American bear

Sorry, but what is the link between assimilation & bears?

[DS73]

I noticed Canadians were the lowest in this study.
Maybe its because they do not like American bear

I think plenty of canadians like animals, bears (even scary grizzlies) included. American beer is another thing...

[Ordie]

I noticed Canadians were the lowest in this study.
Maybe its because they do not like American bear

Perhaps its the health care.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

I think the usefulness of the study is compromised due to the fact that they didn't differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants. I'd think that legal immigrants would be eager to assimilate, after jumping though every hoop we've asked them to, and paying all the $ etc. I don't think anybody is worried about them assimilating- they 're playing by the rules even before they get here.

It's the illegals who are developing a parallel society - and who can't assimilate because they'll be kicked out if they try to...who are the major concern IMO. The study appears to try to spin it as if both groups are just as likely to assimilate, and I don't think that's true.

[Ordie]

It's the illegals who are developing a parallel society - and who can't assimilate because they'll be kicked out if they try to...who are the major concern IMO. The study appears to try to spin it as if both groups are just as likely to assimilate, and I don't think that's true.

Not exactly.
Most undocumented try to 'blend' in as much as possible. They'll try to learn English as a means to get better jobs and pay. 40% of all undocumenteds arrived legally and overstayed thier visas. Most of whom are assimilated within US society.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Well maybe my definition of "assimilate" is different than others. I would say assimilating includes engaging fully in our economic and political processes - which requires that one be legal. How on earth can somebody be assimilated when they'd be deported the moment they touched the system?

[AGE-Ranger]

Elaborate, please. How is it condescending? What is inaccurate?

hank

Like most in the media, this article attacks Americans for "looking down our noses" at immigrants. That couldn't be further from the truth. Most everyone who wants immigration reform is talking about ILLEGAL immigration. Yet again, a journalist is fear mongering in order to paint the American people as knuckle dragging xenophobes. The whole article is based on a false premise.


Not exactly.
Most undocumented try to 'blend' in as much as possible. They'll try to learn English as a means to get better jobs and pay. 40% of all undocumenteds arrived legally and overstayed thier visas. Most of whom are assimilated within US society.

Have you ever been to New Mexico or Texas near the boarder? Ever been to California? Hell, even here in Ohio they stick to their communities and don't speak English. To be fair though, Its not just the Mexicans. I have to drive through a Somalian neighborhood and its like I've been transported to Afghanistan or something.

[GlassHarp]

Not exactly.
Most undocumented try to 'blend' in as much as possible. They'll try to learn English as a means to get better jobs and pay.

Do you live on the moon or what?

[JKD]

Have you ever been to New Mexico or Texas near the boarder? Ever been to California? Hell, even here in Ohio they stick to their communities and don't speak English. To be fair though, Its not just the Mexicans. I have to drive through a Somalian neighborhood and its like I've been transported to Afghanistan or something.
I grew up in and live in NM and while I can't speak for the entire state, my community doesn't have racially divided neighborhoods. Everyone seems to get along just fine.

[Ordie]

Do you live on the moon or what?

Close enough...
California

[Hollis]

I think its pretty interesting stuff. Guy uses census data to look at assimilation. Its such an urban legend that immigrants are "ruining" this country but nobody really looks at data. Hats off to the dude from Duke for looking at the numbers.

hank


I am with you on this, I would like to read more.

[digrar]

I have to drive through a Somalian neighborhood and its like I've been transported to Afghanistan or something.

Yes I hear Afghanistan is over run with those damn Somalis....

[Ordie]

Have you ever been to New Mexico or Texas near the boarder? Ever been to California? Hell, even here in Ohio they stick to their communities and don't speak English. To be fair though, Its not just the Mexicans. I have to drive through a Somalian neighborhood and its like I've been transported to Afghanistan or something.

California, New Mexico, and Texas (Nice English names for states)

Its a free country and anyone may choose to live where and how they want to. Isn't that America is all about?

[el borracho]

I've been saying this for years in just about every immigration debate we have on this forum. Just because you see large immigrant communities, or hear them speaking in their native language doesn't mean that they aren't assimilating on some level. The first generation to arrive here will always have a tough time. Their children will initially grow up immersed in their parents culture, but public school opens a whole new world for them. In my hometown, which is 30% Hispanic, every child above the age of 7 or 8 can speak English...most of those speak it very well. Because of their split environment, a lot of them can see the differences between cultures and what each has to offer. This leads many to embrace American consumerism as they grow up. They like to watch the same movies, listen to the same music, and wear the same name brands as their friends. By the time they are an adult they are as American (or Americanized) as anyone. This causes some backlash in their own community, as the elder generation perceives their kids and grandkids as abandoning their heritage. That's not unlike what our own ancestors might say if they saw us today. Since we are much more sensitive in the 21st century, we try to encourage diversity and cultural awareness. We don't demand that immigrants forget their roots and change their name, like what was required from many of our ancestors upon reaching Ellis Island. We might get angry when we see foreign flags waving during their celebrations, but let's be rational: they know what country they are in and why they came here.

[GlassHarp]

but let's be rational: they know what country they are in and why they came here.

La Raza anyone?

Perhaps it is not as bad down by the border, but I have been on more than several occasions on the receiving end of extremely un-assimilation type episodes, including threats of physical harm with baseball bats, by people who are obviously second generation. Maybe I am just a fluke, I hope so, maybe it is the area I Live in, but I don't think so.

[ren0312]

Source:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/21/ED5G10PMJ8.DTL&type=printable


Is this study relevant to places where almost half of the population is foreign born such as Maimi and Toronto, most of whom come from non Western countries, since this article also points out that it is the first generation immigrnats who have the most trouble assimilating into society.

[INAT]

Was this not said about the Irish or Italians or Polish? Immigration always has been and always will be a controversial topic because it is one of the
universal aspects of the human condition.Whether we move to a different
region or different country we as humans have been doing this for as long
as we have been around whether for food ,shelter or security it is what we do.

[stuntman]

La Raza anyone?

Perhaps it is not as bad down by the border, but I have been on more than several occasions on the receiving end of extremely un-assimilation type episodes, including threats of physical harm with baseball bats, by people who are obviously second generation. Maybe I am just a fluke, I hope so, maybe it is the area I Live in, but I don't think so.

The only reason someone would "threaten" is because your doing the wrong thing or in the wrong place to the wrong people.

La Raza? WTF does that mean(your meaning) and I'm not even Mex and I find it offensive!

[el borracho]

La Raza anyone?

Perhaps it is not as bad down by the border, but I have been on more than several occasions on the receiving end of extremely un-assimilation type episodes, including threats of physical harm with baseball bats, by people who are obviously second generation. Maybe I am just a fluke, I hope so, maybe it is the area I Live in, but I don't think so.

I would bet that many La Raza members have been in the US longer than second generation. Some people can't make it out of the ghetto, or at least the ghetto mentality. The best examples of assimilation have been in the border states, usally in smaller towns that don't have a gang problem. Americans are generally more familiar with Mexican culture there, and many Mexicans find the culture shock isn't as drastic.

[GlassHarp]

The only reason someone would "threaten" is because your doing the wrong thing or in the wrong place to the wrong people.

La Raza? WTF does that mean(your meaning) and I'm not even Mex and I find it offensive!

La Raza is a hispanic racial cultural supremacy group within the United states. Yes you should find it offensive! As do I.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Raza

http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/002257.html


Educate yourself, it's free!

Yeah, the wrong place is a public roadway, the wrong thing is riding a bicycle. How DARE I.



I am not saying would should not have immigration, perhaps we should have MORE immigration, but I do NOT agree that ALL members of ALL groups are assimilating, I just don't see it, even in the second generation.

[el borracho]

I am not saying would should not have immigration, perhaps we should have MORE immigration, but I do NOT agree that ALL members of ALL groups are assimilating, I just don't see it, even in the second generation.

Unfortunate, but true. On a related topic, I saw a woman wearing a "La Raza" t-shirt at the commissary on post the other day. I about snapped...and to top it off, she was white. Even if she is Hispanic by heritage, I'm sure she gets some weird looks when she goes to the rallies.

[Gfunk]

"Assimilation happens..." roflNot when you invade another nation with up to 20 million of your fellow nationals. Mexicans (and other Spanish speaking nationalities) don't have to assimilate because there are so many of them illegally here. It's like a country within a country. Previous waves of immigration were assimilated because those waves were controlled. To not understand the difference between immigration from across an ocean and immigration from across a border is pure ignorance.

[Shadowstorm]

"Assimilation happens..." roflNot when you invade another nation with up to 20 million of your fellow nationals. Mexicans (and other Spanish speaking nationalities) don't have to assimilate because there are so many of them illegally here. It's like a country within a country. Previous waves of immigration were assimilated because those waves were controlled. To not understand the difference between immigration from across an ocean and immigration from across a border is pure ignorance.
Whatever man, they did not invaded this country.

[GNR]

I think plenty of canadians like animals, bears (even scary grizzlies) included. American beer is another thing...

I think you might be correct, it was clearly a spelling mistake.

[Lambert58]

Close enough...
California

We'll send aid. Nothing worse than being abandoned!

[Lambert58]

I think you might be correct, it was clearly a spelling mistake.

my only persistent memory of the canadian troops we used to train with is:


"Each morning, The rooms occupied by the Canadian troops in billeting looked as if the door frame was the maw of a great beast that had puked forth 4 or 6 canadian forces troops, in their half-worn flight suits, accompanied by lawn chairs and coolers. This was on Wedensday. Friday was much worse."

[seraosha]

Have you ever been to New Mexico or Texas near the boarder? Ever been to California?

Yes to all three and I call BS.

Ever been to Mexico? Baja? How about any foreign country...

[Hollis]

La Raza is a hispanic racial cultural supremacy group within the United states.

Do you know anyone who is in La Raza or just some other source.

"racial cultural supremacy"? who came up with that.

[digrar]

Yes to all three and I call BS.

Ever been to Mexico? Baja? How about any foreign country...

He's been to Afghanistan, it was full of Somalis.

[Hollis]

He's been to Afghanistan, it was full of Somalis.

Problem all them there furiners look the same to me. p-)

[T3ngu]

Problem all them there furiners look the same to me. p-)

Reported. Im telling a mod on you :)

[SilentType]

Americans look down their noses at immigrants...really? I mean outside of the KKK who is looking down at immigrants?

The problem comes from a security and economic stand point. You can't accuse people of having real legit concerns about open boarders, ports, and visa programs that fail to properly check and monitor those who come into the USA. You can't accuse people of having legit concerns about having corporations pay people less than minimum wage while they foot the bill for their social programs through taxes and see citizens unemployed.

[Ordie]

Do you know anyone who is in La Raza or just some other source.

"racial cultural supremacy"? who came up with that.

Racial Supremacy is an oxymoron among Latin Americans because there is no single dominant ethnicity. The only commonality with most Latin Americans is language.

La Raza is a term equivilant to Human Race or "The People". It's a term not commonly used in everyday Spanish. It more of an expression of universality. It a term that does not translate well in English.

Most Spanish language media refer themselves as "Communidad Hispana" or "Latina Americana". Among compatriots they call each other "Paisano".

[Ordie]

Americans look down their noses at immigrants...really? I mean outside of the KKK who is looking down at immigrants?

The problem comes from a security and economic stand point. You can't accuse people of having real legit concerns about open boarders, ports, and visa programs that fail to properly check and monitor those who come into the USA. You can't accuse people of having legit concerns about having corporations pay people less than minimum wage while they foot the bill for their social programs through taxes and see citizens unemployed.

Immigrants have always been the scapegoat of society ills since the foundation of the country. If you read periodicals from the 1800's, much of the negative propaganda was directed against Irish Catholics. It comes in waves

[Dragunov]

Racial Supremacy is an oxymoron among Latin Americans because there is no single dominant ethnicity. The only commonality with most Latin Americans is language.

La Raza is a term equivilant to Human Race or "The People". It's a term not commonly used in everyday Spanish. It more of an expression of universality. It a term that does not translate well in English.

Most Spanish language media refer themselves as "Communidad Hispana" or "Latina Americana". Among compatriots they call each other "Paisano".


You are correct my friend.
Up here in Northern Mexico( specially in Monterrey) is very common to hear '' La Raza'' term, meaning, the people, the folks, the crowd, etc. It Has nothing to do with Race.

Example: Como esta la raza? = Howdy folks, how you all doing?

Greetings to the mp.net's raza!

[Dragunov]

"Assimilation happens..." roflNot when you invade another nation with up to 20 million of your fellow nationals. Mexicans (and other Spanish speaking nationalities) don't have to assimilate because there are so many of them illegally here. It's like a country within a country. Previous waves of immigration were assimilated because those waves were controlled. To not understand the difference between immigration from across an ocean and immigration from across a border is pure ignorance.

I know illegal Mexicans who live in the USA and celebrate the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, go to the rodeos, like to drive Ford trucks, drink Miller beer, eat at Taco Bell, and the most important, they pay federal taxes!...what other example of Assimilation do you want?

Greetings!

[AGE-Ranger]

Yes I hear Afghanistan is over run with those damn Somalis....

I mean they have speakers pointing out their windows, playing call to prayer, woman all walking around in Hajibs and Burkas. I suppose I should have just said, "Its like driving through Somalia".


California, New Mexico, and Texas (Nice English names for states)

Its a free country and anyone may choose to live where and how they want to. Isn't that America is all about?

So people should just move their country over here?


Yes to all three and I call BS.

Ever been to Mexico? Baja? How about any foreign country...

I've been to Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Iraq, Qatar, Germany and Canada.


I know illegal Mexicans who live in the USA and celebrate the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, go to the rodeos, like to drive Ford trucks, drink Miller beer, eat at Taco Bell, and the most important, they pay federal taxes!...what other example of Assimilation do you want?

Greetings!

How about coming in legally?


You are correct my friend.
Up here in Northern Mexico( specially in Monterrey) is very common to hear '' La Raza'' term, meaning, the people, the folks, the crowd, etc. It Has nothing to do with Race.

Example: Como esta la raza? = Howdy folks, how you all doing?

Greetings to the mp.net's raza!
Also find it funny that you guys are attacking someone for bringing up La Raza, when their own website says "The Race".

The phrase La Raza supposedly came From a book called "La Raza cosmica".


He described La Raza Cosmica (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Raza_Cosmica) as the product of racial mixing over time that was already in progress in the Hispanic world. Vasconcelos believed in Supremacism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacism) in that eventually all of the people within the Spanish Empire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empire) would completely mixed into a new race that had the best attributes of all the cultures; armies of these people would then go forth around the world professing their knowledge and initiating the "universal era of humanity".

[Dragunov]

I mean they have speakers pointing out their windows, playing call to prayer, woman all walking around in Hajibs and Burkas. I suppose I should have just said, "Its like driving through Somalia".



So people should just move their country over here?



I've been to Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Iraq, Qatar, Germany and Canada.



How about coming in legally?


Also find it funny that you guys are attacking someone for bringing up La Raza, when their own website says "The Race".

The phrase La Raza supposedly came From a book called "La Raza cosmica".


Well, what can I say, ''Mexican- Americans'' have used that term in their own way. I have read many of them even think they are pure Aztecs, Mayans and what have you. I think they are looking for an identity in a society where ''race'' is an issue in everyday life.
So yeah man, on the other side of the border its another deal.

[GlassHarp]

Racial Supremacy is an oxymoron among Latin Americans because there is no single dominant ethnicity. The only commonality with most Latin Americans is language.

I don't believe the word "race" means anything at all, but that does not mean that I don't think that people can BE racist. The fact that there is no dominant ethnicity does not have any bearing on what group people perceive themselves as being part of. If they believe that they are "The Race" than they will identify with each-other and be fully capable of racism toward other groups of people.


La Raza is a term equivilant to Human Race or "The People". It's a term not commonly used in everyday Spanish. It more of an expression of universality. It a term that does not translate well in English.

DOES NOT TRANSLATE WELL INTO ENGLISH!!!???? What do you take us for a bunch of ****s living under a rock? It does not even need to be translated for any English speaking person to be fully capable of understanding its meaning.


asdfghjklzxcvbnm

[Ordie]

asdfghjklzxcvbnm

Transliteration and intrepetation are two different things.

For example, a f-g is a cigarette in the UK.
In the US its a demeaning slur against gays.

Perhaps you should take a Spanish lesson as to better understand the nuances of the language.

[GlassHarp]

Transliteration and intrepetation are two different things.

For example, a f-g is a cigarette in the UK.
In the US its a demeaning slur against gays.

Perhaps you should take a Spanish lesson as to better understand the nuances of the language.

A fag means the same thing in both england and the USA, it is something you burn, a fagot.

Sorry wont be going with the spanish, Chinese is enough for me already. If I do lean another language it will probably be arabic.

Also I find it rather offensive to be told that to properly understand people in my own country i should take a foreign language class! complete frackin bs.

I also don't know if you realize it or not, but la raza themselves translate la raza as "the race" , so they don't agree with you either. It seems to me you made a mistake by assuming that The Race was not their intended meaning, and now you are just trying to cover your own butt by trying to smear me as being to "culturally insensitive" or something. Their the ones with the problems, not me.

[Pigdog]

Racial Supremacy is an oxymoron among Latin Americans because there is no single dominant ethnicity. The only commonality with most Latin Americans is language.

La Raza is a term equivilant to Human Race or "The People". It's a term not commonly used in everyday Spanish. It more of an expression of universality. It a term that does not translate well in English.

So a phrase like, "Por La Raza todo. Fuera de La Raza nada" really means 'for the human race everything. Outside the human race nothing.' I wonder what PETA thinks about that.

Seriously, are you saying "La Raza" isn't all about the hispanic community? When someone says "viva La Raza" they are simply stating that the human race lives, is that right?

Just out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on MEChA?

[el borracho]

There is a difference between the term "la raza" and the group of the same name. The term itself is quite benign, the group...not so much.

[Hollis]

There is a difference between the term "la raza" and the group of the same name. The term itself is quite benign, the group...not so much.


Some words do not translate well, also like many minority groups, there are some valid points that they raise. One of the greatest natural defense of the US is assimilation in terms of wealth and politics not necessary cultural. To understand La Raza Unida you need to go back to Crystal City Texas in the '60s.

[el borracho]

To understand La Raza Unida you need to go back to Crystal City Texas in the '60s.

Care to explain?

[Hollis]

Care to explain?

I don't think in a format such as this forum I could do the explanation justice. The 50 and 60's was the rise of civil rights, a shift of political power from the established holders of it, to more people including minorities who where historically disenfranchised.


Probably Google might help.

[el borracho]

Here's what Wikipedia had to say:


In 1963, Crystal City, Texas was also the location where the first Mexican-American political revolt took place in Texas, as the Mexican-American majority elected fellow Mexican-Americans to the city council, led by Juan Cornejo, a local Teamsters Union business agent. Although these five elected officials known as "Los Cinco" only held office for two years, many consider this "spark" the starting point of what became known as the Chicano Movement. See the Crystal City Revolts History Entry

In the late 1960s, Crystal City, Texas would become the location of continued civil rights activism among its Mexican-American majority population and the birthplace of the third party political movement known as La Raza Unida Party under the leadership of José Angel Gutiérrez. La Raza Unida and related organizations won election to most offices in Crystal City and Zavala County, Texas in the period between 1969 and 1980 when the party declined at the local level. See the Handbook of Texas History Entry

In the 1970s, following protests of charges on the part of La Raza Unida, Crystal City's natural gas supply was shut off by the supplier and Crystal City residents shifted to wood burning stoves, solar heat and power, and propane gas. To this day there is no natural gas in Crystal City, but most residents purchase propane from the city.

And the link on the revolts, from The Handbook of Texas Online:


CRYSTAL CITY REVOLTS. In 1963 and again in 1969, Mexican Americansqv in Crystal City organized against Caucasian domination of city hall and the public school system. The result was an electoral victory for Hispanic Texans for the first time since the city's incorporation in 1910.

The 1963 movement was led by Juan Cornejo, a local representative of the Teamsters Union at the Del Monte cannery in Crystal City, and the Political Association of Spanish-speaking Organizations.qv PASSO succeeded in getting more Mexican Americans to pay the poll tax and vote. In addition, the Mexican Texans organized the large migrant farm-labor pool affiliated with the Teamsters at Del Monte. The Hispanics selected a slate of five candidates, who became known as los cinco, from among the poor and undereducated Mexican Texans, to run for the city council. The group faced intimidation by the political establishment. Several workers at the Del Monte plant were fired for wearing campaign buttons, for instance; but Teamsters officials intervened, and their jobs were reinstated. Texas Rangersqv were called in, reportedly to provide protection for the Mexican Americans. Agricultural leaders doubled hourly pay for their workers, and Del Monte went into overtime production to keep workers from voting. Los cinco, however, gained widespread support, and all five candidates defeated the five incumbents in a close election.

The newly elected all-Mexican-American city council and the succeeding administration had trouble governing the city because of political factions among the new officials. Cornejo was selected mayor from among the five new council members, but eventually his apparent quest for total control of city government led to his loss of support. A new group made up of both Caucasians and middle-class Mexican Americans, the Citizens Association Serving All Americans, announced its plans to run candidates for countywide offices in 1964, with the goal of ousting politicians that it considered dominated by "outside interests," an allusion to the roles of PASSO and the Teamsters in the elections of 1963. CASAA won the constable and commissioner seats and ran three Mexican-American and two Caucasian candidates in the city council election in 1965. The Hispanic activists did not repeat their poll-tax drive to bolster their voting bloc, and CASAA won.

In 1967 the Mexican American Youth Organizationqv was founded by three Chicanos, including José Ángel Gutiérrez at Crystal City High School. In 1969, after a conflict about the ethnicity of cheerleaders, the school compromised to establish a cheerleading squad of three Caucasian and three Mexican-American girls. But in June the school board invalidated the compromise. The following November 100 Mexican-American students and their parents took a long list of grievances to the school board. In December 1969, when the board denied the charges of discrimination and refused to act on them, 200 Mexican-American students went out on strike, with their parents' support. The boycott soon extended to both the middle and elementary schools. The United States Department of Justice sent a team to intervene in the crisis, probably in response to the visit by three striking students to its Washington headquarters. The federal officials negotiated a settlement that obliged the board to meet most of the students' demands, including bilingual, bicultural education, better testing programs, and more cultural celebrations. The following January the Raza Unida Party,qv which was founded almost immediately after the successful student boycott, received enough votes to win seats on the school board and the city council.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: John Staples Shockley, Chicano Revolt in a Texas Town (Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1974).

Teresa Palomo Acosta

[Ordie]

Just out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on MEChA?

I never liked them in college.

Most of its members were born and raised in the US and can't speak Spanish. At SFSU they never got along with La Raza Student Union. Both we're politicized and angry about the world most of the time.

I was a member of the Latin American Student Association, it was more of a social club with salsa/tango and samba dancing lessons. I just joined it as a means to meet chicks and party.