Modern Day Mexican-American Revolution

From March 5 to March 12 1968, over 22,000 predominantly Hispanic high school students in the Los Angeles area walked out of their classrooms in protest of the unequal education and racial oppression of Hispanic students.

These protests were conducted to protest run-down campuses, lack of college prep classes, and teachers who were poorly trained and racist. They were conducted at Garfield, Roosevelt, Belmont, and Lincoln high schools. During this time,the Chicano movement promoting the celebration of Mexican-American culture was really popular. This movement heavily influenced the walkout's goals.

At the beginning of the protest, it was a reaction to rising tensions between students and the school administrations. It was very unorganized with little direction.

However, as the walkout progressed, it became more uniform with groups such as the East Side 13 and the Brown Berets speaking out on their issues in organized protests and used media to help convey their messages.

Their protests were meet with hate and violence from the public and the police. The students were thought to be under “communist influences” and no longer loyal to the U.S. The police arrested many of the the leaders of the protest. These people were tried under conspiracy of being communist. Law enforcement conducted many undercover raids, operations, and arrests They faced upward of 66 years of jail time.

Though it took lots of sacrifice and pain, the students eventually did earn better educational opportunities in their schools. The drop out rate of 57% steadily declined. Race relations improved as more people in Los Angeles schools began to accept Mexican-American culture and acknowledge it as well.

Many members of the Brown Berets and East Side 13 continued on to achieve long lasting careers. Jobs such as lawyers, doctors, architects, school administrators were only a handful of occupations that these leaders came to be.

My uncles knew of students that attended some of these walkouts. They explained to me that these men and women were passionate and strong in what they believed in. Their resilient attitude developed because they needed it live in a poor community. So when push came to shove, they were ready.

But why does this story matter 50 years later? Minority populations today still struggle with the crippling effects of poverty. Inadequate education is still an issue. So their cause isn't over.This story also illustrates how students like us can make a difference. If there is an glaring issue in society, students have the power to shine light on it. Whether that being about racial discrimination or gun control, the problems need to be addressed. We have a voice. We have a duty. We are the ones that determine our own future.

Works Cited

Larsen, Dave. "Timing of Arrests in School Walkouts Called Political." Los Angeles Times

(1923-Current File), Jun 05, 1968, pp. 2-a1. ProQuest,

https://search.proquest.com/docview/155971265?accountid=162838.

Sahagun, Louis. “East L.A., 1968: 'Walkout!' The Day High School Students Helped Ignite the

Chicano Power Movement.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2018,

www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-1968-east-la-walkouts-20180301-htmlstory.html.

Sahagun, Louis. “They faced 66 years in prison. The Eastside 13` and how they helped plan the

East L.A walkouts.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 March 2018,

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-eastside-13-walkouts-20180308-story.html

Sanchez, Irene. “Opinion | 50 Years After The East LA Walkouts, We're Still Fighting For Latino Students.”

The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 6 Mar. 2018,

www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-sanchez-east-la-walkouts_us_5a981ef2e4b07dffeb708bc