Essay On Mexican American Identity

Mexican American Identity and Labor During the early twentieth century, there was an influx of Mexicans who came to America to find opportunity and freedom. However, once there, they faced poverty, discrimination, and like. In order to adapt, they underwent the process of Americanization, which sought to make them into great skilled laborers and 'citizens' who loved America. They learned to deal with aspects of labor in America, such as patriarchy and gender roles, and had to find themselves in the ever growing landscape of the American Industry. In the first 10-30 years of the 1900's, about one eighth of Mexicans migrated "al otro lado" in order to have a better future for themselves and their families (Ruiz 6). Often they arrived with

This became a problem when it came to the education of mexican-americans children. The children were being mistreated in school and not given the same education as those who were white. White parents tried everything to have Mexican children separated from their white schools, even if the children were far from being Mexican or American citizens. Cases like these were fought in court and lost due to their excuse such as "linguistic difficulties" or "migrant farming patterns" ( Martinez 176) . This was an ongoing problem in the state of Texas and California since more than 75% of school districts discriminated against Mexican students. They were sent off to so-called 'Mexican schools' that were run down and taught by teachers who had no experience. Instead of the usual sciences and math's taught in white schools, the Mexican boys were taught skills that would later help them in the labor force while girls were taught domestic skills such as cooking and cleaning. Pretty much they were being taught the essentials to fit in with the rest of their people and the society they were put into. This enraged parents because, just like in today's society, education was a priority to them that they believed helped keep their children out of the fields and live a better life than