LULAC History -all for one and one for all

 LULAC History -all for one and one for all

 

The league of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) founded in 1929 =oldest and most widely respected of all Hispanic civil rights orgs in the Untied States

1.      Created during nations history when Hispanics denied basic civil and human rights

a.      Despite contributing to American society

2.      Founders created organization that empowers members to create and develop opportunities

3.      1945 -California LULAC Council successful sued to integrate the Orange County School System

a.      Segregated on the borunds that Mexicn children were more poorly clothed and mentally inferior to white children

b.      1954 LULAC brought another landmark case Hernandez vx. The State of Texas to protest fact that no Mexican Americans had ever been called for jury duty in state of Texas

                                                              i.      Supreme Court ruled this exclusion was unconstitutional.,

4.      Lulac fought for access to political process and equal education opportunity for all Hispanics

5.      Sponsors health fairs and tutorial programs, raises scholarship money

a.      Assisted almost 10 percent of the 1.1. million Hispanic students who have gone to college

6.      LULAC council responded to alarming increase in xenophobia and anti-Hispanic sentiment

a.      Held seminars/public symposiums on language an dimmigraiton issues

b.      Used television and radio protests against English Only movement which sought to limiut public (and some cases private) use of minority languages

Reasons leading to formation of LULAC

7.      When U.S ended Mexican war, and annexed third of Mexico’s territory -nearly 77,000 Mexicans became U.S. citizens

a.      But they faced prejudice from overt acts of discrimination and segregation

b.      Curtailment of their civil rights -No Mexicans allowed found everhwere

c.      In Texas -prejudice and acts of discrimination reached extreme proportions and Mexicans began defending themselves

d.      Three main organizaitons-Order of the Sons of America – in somerset, Pearsall, Corpus Christi, and Santonio; the Knights of meric in san Antonio; and the Legue of Latin American Citizens with councils in Harlingen, Brownsville, Laredo, Penitas, la Grulla, McAllen and the gulf.

8.      The Uni\fication Effort

9.      Ben Garza -lkeader of Council #4 of th Order of the Sons of Aemrica in corpus Christi a

a.      United all Aemrican organizations under one title

b.      One ste of objectives and one constitution

c.      Series of attempts on August 14, 1927 when delegates from the Order of the Sons of America, the Knights of America and other allied organizations travel to Harlingto,n to officially form the League of Latin American citizens

10.  The president of the Order of the Sons of America invited the League of Latin American Citizens to unite with them to unify Mexican American organizations

a.      LLAC approved the idea and the resolution was adopted to the merger

b.      Many doubted the merger would occur due to major differences between the various groups.

c.      After about 2 years the LULAC came into being..

11.  Mexican americans not allowed to learn English thus were disenfranchised and unable to vote, many unable to pay voting taxes, and their Anglo bosses paid this charge and told them who to vote for..

12.  Many Mexican American families worked in the fields, farms, and ranches..their children never went to school

13.  Many denied jobs because they were perceived as lazy, poorly dressed, dirty, ill educated and thought to be thieves..

14.  During this period there were more Mexicans hung then the total number of Blacks hund during the Civil War..

15.  Faced some of the same racial discriminations as blacks -unable to eat at public accommodations, killed for no reason,

February 27, 1929

1.      For two years, since 1927 the merger had been discussed and now on February 17, 1929 it was about to hap;pen

2.      Three major Mexican American organizations -the Knights of America, The sons of America, and the League of Latin American Citizens gathered on a rainy Sunday to attempt to unify,

The Women of LULAC

LULAC first national organization that placed emphasis on the role of women

                \its first Council #19 was created on February 22, 1934 in El Paso Texas

By 1938 the league had created first women’s national office in Mrs. Ester Machuca as Ladies Orginizer General

Women conti9nue\d to serve fundamental roles within LULAC. In 1981 the League elected its first National Vice President for Women

State coordinators for women carry out local programs for women

National conference Adelante Mujer Hispana and two day conferences on education and employment have been some of Leagues most successful programs.