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Texas town to honor 'Mexican school'

Back in the good-ol'-days when Americans of Mexican descent were kept out of eating establishments, swimming pools and certain neighborhoods, there existed …

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Back in the good-ol'-days when Americans of Mexican descent were kept out of eating establishments, swimming pools and certain neighborhoods, there existed "Mexican Schools." 

This is how the Devil's River News in Sonora, Texas, recorded life back in the '30s: "Mexicans' Dream May Come True Any Day."

The story beneath the head told readers, "Members of the school board as well as citizens of Sonora have long since realized the necessity of larger quarters for the Mexican school, but what to do? What to do? The Mexican scholastic was growing by leaps and bounds, and today practically outnumbers the white scholastic."

According to The Handbook of Texas Online, "Mexican working-class children in urban areas were allowed to attend city schools. However, access was limited to segregated classes in elementary grades. No secondary or post secondary facilities were available to them. Only the children of wealthy families attended colleges and universities. 

"The decision to segregate elementary schools in Texas was due to racial prejudice, residential location and lack of a Mexican-American voice in school affairs. Public education in Texas, as elsewhere in the nation, increasingly promoted the Anglo heritage over the Mexican heritage." 

Welcome the "Mexican School,"  Today's expatriated Chicano/Latino Texans caused a severe brain-drain when they fled their home state to settle in California or elsewhere. 

Here's another old headline from the Sonora paper: "$28,000 Modern Building Ready for Mexican School Children."

This story followed: "When Sonora Mexican residents Juan or Juanita, or both, start off to school the first Monday morning in September, they will be sending them to an educational plant which probably has no equal in a school for their race in a west Texas town.

"The love of the dramatic, inbred into the Mexican child, has ample possibility of development with the facilities of the auditorium located in a central 'island' portion of the new school."

Gus Chávez, retired San Diego State University administrator who migrated at age 20 from Sonora via the U.S. Navy, remembers, "It was bad enough that the white elders sent us to our 'own' schools. But some of the outdated textbooks they issued to us even had racial slurs written on certain pages!"

Some of Chávez's ex-classmates sadly recall that the remarks were probably parent-inspired.

This coming Sept. 11, a ceremony to locate a commemorative marker will be held. The structure, called La Elliot, was officially closed June 16, 1970.

Much has changed in Sonora during the last 40 years, says Chávez. "The public swimming pool is now open to the entire community. So are residential neighborhoods, restaurants and, equally important, social interface. Among Sonora residents. young and old, it is progressing."

Chávez found California to be "paradise after a past full of segregation and poorly maintained 'Mexican'  grammar and middle schools" in his hometown, stated the university's newsletter upon his retirement.

After nearly 30 years of promoting educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth, Chávez retired in 2003 from San Diego State. After a farewell celebration at the city's nationally renown Chicano Park, Chávez dove into volunteer duties such as becoming an organizer for "Defend the Honor," a national effort to ensure that the legacy of Latinos who served in this country's military is preserved.

"A special thank you and fuerte abrazo is given to all, especially members of VIVA SONORA, who helped organize this historic event." says Chávez.  "We encourage other communities that faced similar conditions to take the time to celebrate and honor our history."

Chávez recommends those interested in attending the event should call Betty Hernández 325-206-0573 or Juanita Gómez 325-206-0830.

Aware of "our love for the dramatic," it promises to be an unforgettable event, he says.

(Andy Porras, of Houston, is a product of a Texas segregated school himself in the 1950s. He lived for years in northern California before returning to the Lone Star State a year ago for family matters. Email: [email protected])

©2010

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