Friday, May 24, 2013

Huelga Schools of Houston: The Chicano Fight for Equal Education

This history of huelga (or "strike") schools in Houston is important to remember. -Angela


Also, read this article in addition to going to this website:  http://tinyurl.com/ne7hvnd


By: Jacob Tate

Thesis

When the Houston Independent School District (HISD) began to integrate its schools in 1970, it used a plan that only integrated Hispanics and African-Americans. Hispanics believed that this plan was racist and unjust, so they boycotted the schools. Special "huelga" (strike) schools were formed to educate boycotting students. The boycotts did not end until HISD drew up a fair integration plan in 1972. Because of this movement, Hispanics now have a better education and therefore, a better future.
 

"The 'integration' will not actually change much...the plan makes hundreds of students change schools and the only real 'integration' is only with Chicanos and blacks."
--Papel Chicano, a Chicano newspaper

When HISD was forced to integrate the schools in 1970, they decided to classify Hispanics as white, saying that the Hispanics wanted to be white. So, with the Hispanics "white," they mixed Hispanics and African-Americans. They left Anglos untouched, who stayed in their superior schools, while the Hispanics and African-Americans were integrated. Also, many Hispanics had to attend schools far away from the barrios.
"They are not interracial...[they have] fought to be white...when the shoe begins to pinch [they want to be] a identificable ethnic minority."
--Judge Ben Connally, after turning down the Chicanos appeal against HISD's integration plan.
Picture
Papel Chicano after judge Ben Connally turned down the appeal

 

HISD's motives

  1. "White flight," when Anglos move to the suburbs during school integration, was threatening to HISD, since they were funded for each attendee.
  2. HISD thought that Hispanics would not fight back, and it knew Anglos had lots of influence and were very vocal.
Picture
Papel Chicano on HISD's integration plan
"...sorry Judge Connally cannot see the real world."
--Leonel Castillo, Chicano activist

"The system was unfair...when they said they wanted all children to succeed they had one child in mind. This child wasn't black, or brown, or olive, or Asian. The child was white."
--Dr. Patricia Silva-Flores, Chicano teacher

"They didn't want us around."
--Macario Ramirez, Chicano activist
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