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Joel Nossoff Chicano Movement Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 728 BC

Scope and Content

The collection provides a glimpse into Chicano Movement issues and activities, primarily in Los Angeles, CA, 1968-1969. The majority of materials in the collection center on the Chicano struggle for educational reform.

The collection, accumulated by Joel Nossoff, includes his personal narrative and papers related to his arrest from sitting-in at Lincoln High School. News clippings document the sit-in as well as the mass walk-out by Mexican American students from high schools across East Los Angeles demanding educational reform. Two 60 minute audio recordings contain a speech by Sal Castro, and interviews by Joel Nossoff with Mexican American high school graduates concerning attitudes of high school teachers and counselors toward them. Photographs document a rally in support of Sal Castro. Newsletters, including El Nopal and printed materials relating to United Mexican American Students (UMAS) document activities at Cal State (Los Angeles) between 1968 and 1970. Also included are Nosoff's notes and curriculum materials from the Mexican American Studies program at Cal State (Los Angeles).

News clippings, flyers, and printed materials cover general topics such as Chicano youth, farm workers, Viet Nam, Reies Lopez Tijerina, etc. A collection of 14 buttons illustrate some of the prominent issues of the time, including the grape boycott, UMAS, La Raza, M.E.CH.A., Tom Bradley, Viet Nam, Robert Kennedy.

Dates

  • 1968-1970

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.

Historical Information

In 1968, thousands of Mexican-American high school students in East Los Angeles walked out to protest the failure of the educational system to properly educate Chicanos. Sal Castro, a teacher at Lincoln High School and allegedly the only organizer of the walk-out over 30 years old, was one of 13 indicted and arrested for criminally conspiring to create riots, disrupting the functioning of public schools and disturbing the peace. He was then fired by the school administration. Protests and a sit-in ensued, but the school board refused to rescind the decision. 35 demonstrators, including Joel Nossoff were arrested for failure to leave a public building. The next day, a re-vote by the school board reinstated Castro. These events have been referred to as the "Birth of Brown Power."

Extent

1 box (.35 cu. ft.)

Abstract

The collection provides a glimpse into Chicano Movement issues and activities, primarily in Los Angeles, CA, 1968-1969. The majority of materials center on the Chicano struggle for educational reform.

Related Archival Material

Frank I. Sanchez papers Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Faculty Involved in the Chicano Movement oral history project Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. Chicano Student Movement at Western New Mexico oral history project Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. Carlos Espinosa Cansino papers Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. Francisco E. Martinez papers Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. Cordova v. Vaughn Municipal School District papers Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico.

Separated Material

Master audio files are stored on library file server and hard drive.

Processing Information

Audio cassettes reformatted to cd in Nov. 2013.
Title
Finding Aid of the Joel Nossoff Chicano Movement Collection, 1968-1970
Status
For Approval
Author
Processed by B. Silbergleit
Date
©2004
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 728 BC::Joel Nossoff Chicano Movement Collection)//EN" "nmu1mss728bc.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