After reading Dubbya's speech in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I was compelled to actually talk about what Latinos have done for this country. One thing that comes to mind is braceros.
Braceros - does that word mean something to you?
Don't think it means a damn thing to Bush.
Let's educate Bush.
A Bracero is:
Generally speaking, the Latin American migratory worker going into west Texas is regarded as a necessary evil, nothing more nor less than an unavoidable adjunct to the harvest season. Judging by the treatment that has been accorded him in that section of the state, one might assume that he is not a human being at all, but a species of farm implement that comes mysteriously and spontaneously into being coincident with the maturing of the cotton, that requires no upkeep or special consideration during the period of its usefulness, needs no protection from the elements, and when the crop has been harvested, vanishes into the limbo of forgotten things -until the next harvest season rolls around.
He has no past, no future, only a brief and anonymous present.
From Latin Americans in Texas, by Pauline R. Kibbe, The University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 1948.
About 350,000 contract workers (called "Braceros," Spanish for strong arms) were hired beginning in 1942 to assist the United States in response to the depleted national workforce caused by World War II. The Braceros provided farm labor and worked in rail road yards. Under a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Government of Mexico, forced savings accounts were created for the Braceros. Into each account, a portion of the Braceros' wages were deposited. The purpose of these accounts was to ensure that the Braceros would return home to Mexico upon termination of their contracts.
A lawsuit was filed to reclaim their earnings.
Furthermore, the president's home state,Texas, wasn't very nice to Mexicans where signs like this one were common. Many Americans aren't aware of the contributions Latinos, specifically Mexicans, made in areas of commercial agriculture, the mining industry, light industry and the railroad dating back to the 19th century. Then the discrimination was as blatant as the signs "No Mexicans". Now, it has found a way to hide underneath the surface & thrive like a virus.
Of note: my grandfather was a bracero, working on the railroads, during World War II.
Feliz Cumpleanos, Abuelito! Must call him tomorrow.
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3 comments:
Unfortunately, these contributions always go unnoticed. I was a little disturbed when i looked on the left hand side of your blog and saw an ad that read hire mexicans legally no payment until they arrive.
Not to mention the states of Texas, California, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and oh yes, one called New Mexico.
And why do they insist on calling Hispanic people that fought wars of independence against Spain?
My maternal grandfather was a bracero and lost several fingers on one of his hands as a result.
My mom says that he was compensated with what today is an equivalent of 100 dollars, not much at all.
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