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.
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)
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. )
- Chicano movement -- New Mexico
- College Students -- Political Activity -- New Mexico
- Education, Bilingual -- New Mexico
- Mexican American college students -- Political activity -- New Mexico
- Mexican Americans -- Cultural assimilation
- Mexican Americans -- Education (Higher) -- New Mexico
- Mexican Americans -- Ethnic identity
- Mexican Americans -- New Mexico -- Silver City
- Minority college students -- New Mexico
- Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (Western New Mexico University)
- Multicultural education -- New Mexico
- Oral histories
- Silver City (N.M.) -- History -- Anecdotes
- Silver City (N.M.) -- Social life and customs
- Spencer, María Gutierrez, 1919-1992 -- Interviewee
- Strikes and lockouts -- Zinc Mining -- New Mexico
- Student movements -- New Mexico
- Western New Mexico University
- 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
cswrref@unm.edu
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
cswrref@unm.edu