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Chicano Student Movement at Western New Mexico University Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-599-BC

Scope and Content

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

  • 1965-1991 ( bulk, 1991)

Creator

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Project History

In September of 1991, Mario A. R. Carreon, in association with the University of New Mexico's Center for Regional Studies conducted the Oral history interviews of the Chicano Student Movement at Western New Mexico University (WNMU), located in Silver City. The goal of this project was to document the history of Chicano student activities at WNMU by recording the recollections of student officers and faculty members associated with these activities.

Extent

1 box ( .35 cu. ft. )

Related Archival Material

María Gutierrez Spencer Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico. Chicano Student Movement at Western New Mexico University Oral History Project Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico. Joel Nossoff Chicano Movement Collection Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.
Title
Finding Aid of the Chicano Student Movement at Western New Mexico University Oral History Project, 1971-1991
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by G. B.
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 599 BC::Chicano Student Movement at Western New Mexico University Oral History Project)//EN" "nmu1mss599bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

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