from the start
and was going to like we've
seen that La raza has been traditionally in active in politics and only a
few mexican americans were elected to public office. However, in the early
years of the 20th century, some people began to see that Mexican American
Genius Group. Some of its members have been completely assimilated and
identify with the goals and aspirations of anglo society. Others are
completely mexican and identify entirely with a Hispano. Mexican values
and traditions. There are varying degrees in between. But whatever the
case, every member of La raza is an individual. The mexican american is
proud of his individualism and thus he doesn't accept readily the
discipline of a political party. To be sure various unifying organizations
have been formed. Most of the early attempts failed, but the successful
organizations have contributed significantly to the political development
of La raza. The League of United Latin American citizens or lulac is one
such group. It was founded at Harlington Texas in August 1924. In truth,
lulac is not a political organization With a motto of all for one and one
for all. Its program is a social one among its many activities, lulac
provides scholarships for Mexican american students supports spanish
programs and Children's athletic programs in the schools, lulac also acts
as a job placement center, helping to find employment for mexican
americans and open up new job opportunities. The League of United Latin
american citizens was the first attempt of mexican americans to organize.
Although it encountered many difficulties in its first years, the fact
that lulac has continued is evidence of its ultimate success for many
years. It was the only effective organization.
Then came World War Two. A turning point for La Raza, a time during which
more and more mexican americans became politically aware and began to
assert their political rights. Some activities occurred during the war
1940 to the office of the Coordinator of inter american affairs under
nelson Rockefeller established a spanish speaking peoples division. It was
generally ineffective, concentrating much of its effort on such
superficial functions as Parades and fiestas. These events romanticize the
spanish heritage of the borderlands and had little if any, meaning for
most mexican americans, the parade's depicted a way of life which had
never existed for any but a few rich settlers of the past. Thus many
mexican americans feel that the office of the Coordinator of Inter
american affairs failed in its purpose of preparing la raza for
participation in Anglo society. But the organization had at least one
successful program during the war. It fostered a series of so called
service clubs. This represents a significant development in the search for
unity within La raza in colorado. They merged into the community service
clubs incorporated among their main purpose is were the fight against
discrimination and the election of people who would help mexican americans
achieve their goals. Service club members studied the issues and advised
people depending on how these issues related to basic needs.
World War Two had far more significant effects. Thousands of mexican
americans served in the armed forces and they fought bravely in places
like baton Okinawa Normandy. But more important, they lived and worked
side by side with thousands of other americans. And for many it was the
first experience at life free of discrimination and prejudice. Mexican
american soldiers returned to the United States with new self confidence,
fresh interest in community affairs. They used the G. I. Bill to pursue
their education to buy homes and they sought new employment opportunities.
But above all, they experienced a new political awakening. They developed
a lively interest in voting, a determination to assert their political
rights. They realized they could use political power as a means of gaining
recognition for all mexican americans as a result of the awakening. Many
organizations have been formed As in any young and developing movement
such as the early trade unions of the 19th century. Only a few survived.
Why do they fail? Well, part of it has to do with the strong individualism
of most mexican americans. Many of the organizations lack strength because
their members can't agree on a choice of leaders or policy. Then too many
mexican americans are suspicious of politics for in their experience and
that of their parents, politicians have treated them unfairly and
therefore they will not support political groups with cash contributions.
The organizations lack the funds to support candidates for office. Most
of the organizations have chosen to be nonpartisan. Those formed after
World War Two wouldn't commit themselves to either party, although most of
the members were democrats and many groups failed because of this lack of
commitment. Of course, some did thrive. The American Gi Forum is one that
has survived. It was among the 1st post war organizations. The leading
founder of the GI Forum was dr Hector Garcia of corpus Christi texas
composed of veterans and their families. The GI Forum is a national
service organization, nonpartisan in nature. The forum does study
political issues and works to get mexican american voters to the polls.
One Purpose of the GI Forum is to gain 1st class citizenship for Mexican
Americans through education. Another is the protection of mexican
americans. The GI forum has tried to interest its members in such cases as
school segregation. It's used the courts as a vehicle for winning civil
rights for La raza In this area. The Gi Forum was active even before the
civil rights movement of the 1950s.
Now, as we've said, most of the organizations have been non political in
nature. True, they have urged mexican americans to make themselves heard
through the ballot box, but few of them endorse a candidate for office and
because they could not gain the united support of La raza. Few mexican
americans were able to win elections in past years, but a change is
underway. A few perceptive people see politics as a vehicle for winning
civil rights that to win these rights. Mexican american candidates must be
elected to office. This can be accomplished only if members of La raza
unite behind their candidates. and so in the 1960s, Mexican american
leaders have begun to establish some organizations oriented toward
politics. One of these is the Mexican american Political association
Martha. It was founded in California in 1960. Its slogan is opportunity
for all through my papa. It's program is one of social, economic and
cultural betterment mop, carries on voter registration drives and
encourages partisan activity on the part of its members. Most important
mop a supports the appointment and election of Mexican american candidates
for public office. A similar and even more intensely partisan group is
strong in texas. It is apostle, the political association of spanish
speaking organizations
Posso grew out of the Viva Kennedy clubs of the 1960 presidential election.
There are other similar organizations and these organizations have worked
hard for the political unification of La raza. Their efforts have begun to
pay off Mexican americans have begun to run for office and many of these
candidates are winning important elections. For instance, Edward Roybal of
Los Angeles was elected to serve in the House of Representatives in 1962
for the first time in the city's history. Mexican american voters united
their strength of the poles helped elect Roybal in spite of the political
division of city districts that had always before assured the victory of
anglo american candidates the following year. La raza experienced another
major political victory, juan Cornejo was elected mayor of Crystal City
texas, the first mexican american mayor the city had ever had For although
75% of Crystal City's population is of Mexican descent. It had always been
governed by Anglos Juan Cornejo shared his administration of Crystal City
with four Mexican American Councilman. And these men were elected because
of the united support of the mexican american community because the
majority of the population went to the polls in force. But the election of
mexican americans to office is only part of the story. La raza has
discovered that its newfound strength also has an important effect on
Anglo american politicians. Men who run for public office must learn to
react to the needs of mexican americans or possibly face defeat at the
polls. And so mexican american voters back the candidates who support
their cause, candidates who promise to bring about legislation which will
help La raza. La raza has shown that it can exert power through political
unity. This is only a beginning. There have been many other examples and
there will be many more for it's the future which will tell the real story
of mexican american political strength.
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