Knowing Mexican American Civil Rights Movement history that, unfortunately, our textbooks do not include, remains vastly important if we are to fully understand the plight of Mexican Americans advocating for an equitable and just education and the broader implications of this struggle for us today.
Texas history—and the history of the Southwest, in general, where large numbers of students protested in the form of school walkouts, rallies, and community organizing led to much-needed policy changes the provide a model—among others like coalitional, judicial, and electoral politics together with legislative actions—for collective struggles today.
It's worth noting that Mexican American progress is inextricably linked to Latina and Latino progress, as a whole, as well as with that of all other groups of color. As a society, we ALL benefit from appeals to civil rights and are NEVER hurt by it. We only benefit when we live up to our highest ideals as a country.
Looking forward to seeing this play that features, in particular, the legendary Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez' leadership, at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio soon. Go to this page for more information. Hurry up though since tickets are going fast.
-Angela Valenzuela
Fronteras: ‘Crystal City 1969’ play honors the real-life story of student 'heroes and sheroes' who fought for Latino civil rights
In 1969, a Mexican American high school student in Crystal City wanted
to join her school’s cheerleading squad.
She was automatically disqualified from applying. Only one Mexican
American cheerleader was allowed and the squad had already met its
yearly quota.
The incident became the catalyst that led to a historic school walkout.
But it was more than about a cheerleader who didn’t get a spot on the
team.
It was also about physical punishment students endured for speaking
Spanish, and about how Mexican Americans were often discouraged
from pursuing a college education.
The walkout was about discrimination and racism.
Dallas-based Cara Mía Theatre adapted the events of the walkout and
turned it into the play, “Crystal City 1969.”
Playwrights David Lozano and Raul Treviño conducted interviews with former
students, teachers, and law enforcement officials who lived through the
walkout.
Lozano, executive artistic director of Cara Mía Theatre, said the movement
was eye-opening for students.
“They were just discovering this reality and putting the pieces together
because the world (and) what is essentially a quasi-Jim Crow culture (that)
had become normalized,” he said. “But as young people, they were
beginning to wake up to these differences and how they were treated.”
The Crystal City walkout was inspired by similar walkouts in Los Angeles,
San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley.
Treviño, whose own uncle was a student leader of the walkout, said
the play aims to ensure this event does not become a forgotten piece
of history.
“It is a universal story. It's a timeless story. It’s David and Goliath,” he said.
“You go back thousands of years and it's when young people are able to
make a difference for their communities.”
The play is set to make its San Antonio debut at the Guadalupe Cultural
Arts Center Jan. 19-22.
See showtimes and information here. Some shows may already
be sold out.
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