DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Ernest Rodriguez' "Impressions," 1960s-1980s | ""Chicano History and Civil Rights Movement"" by Ernest Rodriguez Page 2

Transcribe
Translate

Ernest Rodriguez' "Impressions," 1960s-1980s

""Chicano History and Civil Rights Movement"" by Ernest Rodriguez Page 2

I believe the best way to explain the cause of the Mexican American uprising is to draw from personal experience. I remember when I was a youngster of about 13 or 14, I belonged to a Junior Optimist Club. We were all of us what was called under-privileged kids. Well the Moose Order, as a charitable gesture during the Christmas season sponsored a dinner for all of us. I can remember Mayor Kroppach was the key-note speaker and now he recalled the great men of history that made our country great. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, etc. He extolled the ideals of the constitution and in conclusion, said something like this. Remember, in this country we are all equal and any one of you boys can grow up to be president of the U.S. When he said this, it seemed that all the many experiences with racial prejudice at my young age passed like lightening in my mind. I felt like screaming, you're a damn liar and you know it. Why don't you tell the truth about our country. I felt like disintegrating in order to escape the shame, indignation, frustration and anger I felt all at once at that moment. Later I vowed if ever it was within my power to do away with prejudice and discrimination I would do so.
So you see all of these resentments of past injustices are coming to the surface now as people like myself and younger, more educated and more militant Chicanos are finding out how to use political power to bring about changes and correct the social injustices suffered. 
CHICANO MOVEMENT OR UPRISING
1. Racism (white)
A. Root cause of all minority uprisings
B. Minorities deal with the effects of white racism
C. Problem to solve is white racist mentality. 
II Experiences of Chicanos
A. Personal childhood, youth, ideals at home and in school
B. Friends
C. Chicanos in southwest read about
III World War II Veterans precursors of the uprising. 
A. Came back inspired with self-determination
B. Fought for others' freedom
1. Silvis street dirt
2. Marshall plan
3. Injustice apparent
IV New Movements
A. Cesar Chaves
1. Migrant problem
2. Unionization
3. Self-determination
B. Reis Tijerina
1. Reclaiming of dispossessed lands of Mexican Americans
2. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and land grants
3. Corky Gonzalez
a. Crusade for justice
b. Plan de Aztlan
1. Explanation of history of Aztecs
2. Spiritual plan toward nationalism around Chicano

Saving...

I believe the best way to explain the cause of the Mexican American uprising is to draw from personal experience. I remember when I was a youngster of about 13 or 14, I belonged to a Junior Optimist Club. We were all of us what was called under-privileged kids. Well the Moose Order, as a charitable gesture during the Christmas season sponsored a dinner for all of us. I can remember Mayor Kroppach was the key-note speaker and now he recalled the great men of history that made our country great. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, etc. He extolled the ideals of the constitution and in conclusion, said something like this. Remember, in this country we are all equal and any one of you boys can grow up to be president of the U.S. When he said this, it seemed that all the many experiences with racial prejudice at my young age passed like lightening in my mind. I felt like screaming, you're a damn liar and you know it. Why don't you tell the truth about our country. I felt like disintegrating in order to escape the shame, indignation, frustration and anger I felt all at once at that moment. Later I vowed if ever it was within my power to do away with prejudice and discrimination I would do so. So you see all of these resentments of past injustices are coming to the surface now as people like myself and younger, more educated and more militant Chicanos are finding out how to use political power to bring about changes and correct the social injustices suffered. CHICANO MOVEMENT OR UPRISING 1. Racism (white) A. Root cause of all minority uprisings B. Minorities deal with the effects of white racism C. Problem to solve is white racist mentality. II Experiences of Chicanos A. Personal childhood, youth, ideals at home and in school B. Friends C. Chicanos in southwest read about III World War II Veterans precursors of the uprising. A. Came back inspired with self-determination B. Fought for others' freedom 1. Silvis street dirt 2. Marshall plan 3. Injustice apparent IV New Movements A. Cesar Chaves 1. Migrant problem 2. Unionization 3. Self-determination B. Reis Tijerina 1. Reclaiming of dispossessed lands of Mexican Americans 2. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and land grants 3. Corky Gonzalez a. Crusade for justice b. Plan de Aztlan 1. Explanation of history of Aztecs 2. Spiritual plan toward nationalism around Chicano