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Background Research, 1991.

 Series

Scope and Content

From the Collection: This collection consists of seven (7) interviews, five of which are recorded on six (6), ninety-minute cassette tapes. The interviews were conducted by Mario A. R. Carreon with the following individuals: Johnny Arzola, Juan Castanoa, Maria Gutierrez-Spencer, David Maestas, Luis Nolasco, Mike M. Ordaz, and Saul Ramos. There are tape logs for all interviews, however, there are no original cassette tapes for interviews with Johnny Arzola and Juan Castanoa. The collection also contains background research materials. There are news clippings, correspondence, and reports concerning bilingual and minority education. There are also flyers and programs about Chicano organizations such as Estudiantes Unidos, the first true Chicano organization at WNMU, established in 1971. In 1981, the name Estudiantes Unidos was changed to Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A). M.E.Ch.A. is a national Hispanic student organization concerned with the cultural, education, social and political awareness of the Chicano. Events such as Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, the First Southwest Chicano Cultural Conference, the dedication of the M.E.Ch.A. building, and the 40 year anniversary of the Empire Zinc Strike are documented in this collection. The Empire Zinc Strike was a fight for equality in wages and benefits for Mexican American workers in the 1950s. This incident provided the backdrop for the movie interpretation of the book The Salt of the Earth, written by Deborah Silverton Rosenfelt.

The interviews examine topics such as the under representation of minorities in higher education, bilingual education, WNMU policies towards minorities, and student government representation. Family and local history are also subjects that are discussed in the interviews.

Archival copies of the cassette tapes are located in B3. Cassettes were digitized and copied to CDs 6/3/2019.

Dates

  • 1991.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 1 box ( .35 cu. ft. )

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451