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Chapter four is very interesting and especially focusing on the years of Charles Stillman when he arrived to the valley. It is amazing how he was capable of making a lot of money because he knew how to do businesses, however, not all of his decisions were the best for all of the local people. Mostly all of his decisions just benefitted himself and did not take into consideration the rest of the people surrounding him. The way he innovated the valley back at that time was something that possibly only he was capable of accomplishing. His investments helped him establish a trading post in a cotton field. It is amazing how this trade across the river from Matamoros was able to develop a whole town which is known as Brownsville. My major is International Business and this specific part of the chapter is the most attracting to me. Back then it was crucial to bring Euro-Americans because it would make the population grow and it was the kind of people that Stillman wanted to attract. What I don't quite understand is why would Stillman give the Euro-Americans so much power. According to the text, “Euro-Americans occupied 80 percent of the professional, mercantile, and government positions.” In my opinion, I think that the local people should have been more involved in these changes in order to set a new idea in them to innovate as a whole. Even though Stillman was a very smart man, he also did a lot of things that I don't quite agree with. For example, making local people sell their land to him for a way cheaper price of what the value actually was. It is mentioned that the law firms that were in charge of these cases went bankrupt which left the sellers without their money. The hunger of having a lot of power caused many trade wars and ended up hurting his own people. I am aware that Stillman did not leave a good image of himself because he took advantage of many people because of all the power he possessed but, he was very smart when it came to business. (358)
ReplyDeleteBruno Morales
In chapter 4 I read a lot of interesting things that I didn’t know like that the Euro-Americans had an obsession with controlling the Rio Grande and so they did using Texas as their base of operations. Something I didn’t like was that the Euro-Americans were racism and that made them have an advantage, which made Mexican form a division introducing the tejano influence. I mean do you think that if they wouldn’t have had the racism division thinks might have been different? When crossing the northwest Texas-Mexican border most of Mexicans suffer from discrimination. A piece of information that I didn’t know was that the Texas boarder separated the Spanish speaking from the French I mean I had always thought that it was Spanish and English that was separated. In the Mexican Corridor I found out that Mexicans were suspected from disloyalty and for inciting slaves. Also that in 1854 there was a vigilance committed in Austin that made 20 Mexican families to be expelled and made some businessmen not want to hire Mexicans. Anti this days Mexicans are still fighting for an opportunity to be in the Unites States without getting discriminated nor getting accuse of taking jobs from U.S citizens when they know that a labor that a Mexican does not ever U.S citizen would want to do it.
ReplyDelete-Mayra Saldana
Chapter four taught me a lot on the discriminations my people have dealt with from early on. Even though Mexican Americans were settling in Texas years before the Anglo, they still had to fight for their own land back, and for basic human rights as the Anglos tried taking over. It is heartbreaking to find out Anglo-Americans used the Rio Grande as a base of operations to control and oppress Mexican Americans. Especially in the ways the Charles Stillman used the Rio Grande to Establish Trading routes, just to benefit himself while saying he was benefiting these "Uncivilized people". Yet really, things were so blatantly in favor of the European Americans, the Mexicans had to form their own division in South Texas. This was a major factor in the formation of Tejano culture. Mexicans were on their own, from owning Texas to being pushed all the way down to the border. So from early on of the formation of our state and our nation, our people have faced adversity. The whites pushed the Mexicans out of their own land, and they gave them no civil rights, or control in anything locally. For the Mexicans, the arrival of the European Americans was not very helpful. They did help them with some more societal norms brought in from Europe, but the Mexicans were basically shoved into a corner and discriminated against, while calling it "Helpful".
ReplyDeleteMichael Gonzalez
As I read Chapter 4 of “Occupied America, A History of Chicanos,” I found it very intriguing and my favorite topic thus far. Chapter 4 is titled “Remember the Alamo: The Colonization of Texas”. I’ve always loved the story of the Alamo so I would be interested. In this chapter, Acuna discusses the colonization of Texas and how Mexicans started to migrate from Mexico to Texas. In times before 1848, the Rio Grande Valley was a huge supporter of thousands of cattle. People from both sides of the river were brought together through Commerce. However, I as continued my reading, I picked up that there were some technological changes that occurred in the region’s economy and class divisions became more marked within the Mexican community. The upper class wanted to be associated with the new elite. In order to control the Mexican masses, rich Mexicans became the brokers for the ruling elite. Now I love San Antonio Texas, I always love to travel there and just be in that beautiful city. I have family who lives up there so whenever I visit I make sure to see them as well. San Antonio is the largest Texas city with the largest Mexican population. I felt in a way that I could relate to all this since we live so close to San Antonio and when I visit, I still feel like I’m home. Even back then people had issues with Mexicans and I wanted us out. The North Americans definitely wanted to drive every Mexican out of Texas. Horrible things would happen to us Mexicanos and it was completely unfair. I bring this up because it’s still happening in today’s society. Racism will continue and I feel like it’s never going away. We’ve been through a lot but it still won’t stop us from being who we want to be. After reading this chapter, I learned so many things that I’ve never learned or heard of before. Everything I read was very interesting and I would love to continue to learn about more.
ReplyDeleteMichael Garcia
I think the reason why this was very fascinating and intriguing for me to read was because not only is it about the history of the rio grande valley, but how the Euro-Americans treated the people from here, home. The section in this chapter that really caught my attention was how the Euro-Americans had to use violence in order to gain social control. What was really heart breaking to read was when they mentioned that between the years 1848-1879 Mexicans were lynched, meaning that they were killed most likely by hanging without a legal trial at a rate of 473 per 100,000 of a population. Something a lot more interesting was that around this time African Americans were "they highest lynching rate for African Americans was in Mississippi, with 58.2 victims per 100,000 of populations." Meaning that there was a higher rate of Mexicans being killed than African Americans. So for the most part, we know about the history of the African Americans and how poorly they were mistreated in the past, but whats interesting, well for me anyways, was that i knew about the African Americans history, but I didnt even know about how poorly and harshly Mexicans were treated. And considering that that is my culture and my history it makes me sad that I didn't even know about all this. It's just insane and ridiculous how the Euro-Americans treated the Mexicans just to gain social control and to gain land.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Lopez
In chapter four I re-learned stuff that I had already learn in my high school year. For instance, how Mexicans started to migrate from Mexico to Texas. And how Euro- Americans had a huge obsession with controlling the Rio Grande, so in need of this they use Texas as their base for operations. Not only that but it also remembers me the huge role that represented the Alamo back in time before 1848. But going back to the topic of the Euro- American, is what got more my attention since they would do anything to get the control. Like for instance they would use violence and even kill. This makes me see how back then Mexicans were mistreated, this makes me want to keep fighting for justice and equality, because now a day we still see how many people are racist and discriminate people base on their appearance. A example can be our own president who ever since he began his campaign he has been attacking immigrants and Mexican people. I can no longer stand all the discrimination towards us Mexicans I say this although I am a U.S citizen but my family has been race in places located in Mexico.
ReplyDelete(Maria Leal)
After reading chapter four from “Occupied America: A History of Chicanos,” I now have a better understanding of how Texas came to be as it is now and how it colonized. It is quite impressing for me to know that back then the place we call home, was once part of Mexico. In this chapter, which I found to be very interesting, Acuna explains how Mexicans migrated from Mexico to Texas. Acuna also explains more about the importance the Rio Grande. I also found interesting to know is that the Rio Grande was an important factor for a wealthy economy, but even though it had a great impact in the economy, because of its commerce between people on both sides, it had a negative effect in people. People started to divide amongst the rich and the poor. I also found out to be bad that people became racist and that whites were getting the most out of the economy. Also, more and more Mexicans started to come into the Rio Grande, because of its proximity to the border. As a final analysis, it was a chaos in the years where Texas colonized. Racism amongst Mexicans came to be, as well as division amongst class. As I read this chapter, I realized that it is important to keep in mind where we come from and that way we would appreciate what we have, as well as be proud of who we are.
ReplyDeleteGuadalupe Cazares
In chapter 4 was somewhat opposite from the movie that I watched back when I was in like middle school, I believe. In this chapter, they explain the side of Mexico of how and why things happened. In the beginning Charles Stillman and some merchants bought land by the river that was located by its side and two years later, a trading post was established in Matamoros by a river in a field of cotton, which caused the lands to be more expensive and caught the attention of the Euro-Americans. Throughout the chapter it shows me how Stillman was not an honest man and how he took advantage of his power to steal land. Although, I do have to admit that he was quite an intelligent man when it came to making business. Something that I was not aware was that Euro -Americans controlled the government and that gave them the privilege to set their own rules. It also mentions how Stillman, King and Kennedy formed alliance which obviously prospered. I did not know that they had started a transport company together and I was just after the Mexican American war. This company apparently bought up the Governments surplus steam boats which were used to ferry US forces across the Rio Grande.
ReplyDelete-Ashley Escalante
In chapter 4, I learned about why Euro-Americans wanted to conquest Texas, it was because they wanted to control the Rio Grande and the trading networks. I remember my history teacher always told us that back in the day’s civilizations looked for rivers so they can cultivate whatever they want. When the wars started some Mexicans supported the White side, others decided to move back to Mexico. I read something about the Alamo last semester in my history class, this chapter 4 remembers me of it. Texans- Mexicans wanted to fight for what they deserved, no more slavery and good wages. Although Euro-Americans controlled most of the southern Texas territory where they established cotton fields, some Mexicans owned land too, but the relations between Mexicans and Euro-Americans were not really good because Euro-Americans were very racist, they hated Mexicans. There were a lot of rebellions from Mexicans because workers were not well treated. I think these rebellions were very important because it showed that Mexicans would not tolerate injustices anymore. These relationships changed later when the same interests came out. For example, when the railroad covered most of the US markets in Texas, these two had to work together someway, but this did not end the racism from the Euro- Americans. I think racism will never end, because we are all different in somehow.
ReplyDeleteMissael Salinas Venegas
As I read this chapter I learned that in 1836 and the civil war Mexicans made up the cities of San Antonio and if they wanted to own land they had to pass this test and basically Mexicans couldn’t pass it, just the white people. I feel like that was wrong making people take test to see if they get approved to own a land. The way I see if you could afford a land then why not own one, it’s not like you’re getting it for free. Mexicans have always worked so hard for their stuff so why not allow them to own some properties. It’s depressing learning that the Mexicans were mistreated for so many years and they really didn’t have anybody to protect them. It’s crazy how the Rangers killed so many Mexicans and but they became the nice guys since Walter Prescott Webb called them the Texas ranger, the great plains, and divide we stand. It’s sad how three rangers executed the elder Cerda and one of his son and a few months later they killed the other son. So how were the ranger’s nice guys? When all they did was killed Mexican to get justice.
ReplyDeleteSandy Martinez
This chapter was very captivating because it involved many events that took place in the very same cities we live in today. One of the most dissatisfying things I could say bothered me about this chapter was the fact that most of these men became avarice over land that was initially not theirs for their own wealth and self profit. This even included Brownsville Mexicans, such as Francisco Yturria and Jeremiah Galvan, whom joined the Euro-Americans, like Charles Stillman, treasoning their race for their own fortunes, as well as knowing this was not bettering anyone but them. It began by Euro Americans trying to establish Texas as its base of operations due to the fact that the Rio Grande Valley river was known for its massive trading route that ran from the RGV to Colorado. Another major way this was forced upon Mexicans was by exploiting them out of Texas, lynching many of their kind for accusations of disloyalty or behaviors the Anglos did not like, such as the inciting of slaves "encouraging" runaways. Between 1848-1879 an estimate of 473 out of 100,000 Mexicans were hung without a legal trial for justification, which was really saddening to read. These events lead to the Mexican division in South Texas, introducing the tejano influence, and trade wars, which rose tensions between both races. Juan "Cheno" Cortina, an inspirational Mexican leader, was portrayed as a bandit by many Euro-Americans, but was truly just fighting for the end of brutal Mexican treatment and killings. Coming from an upper class family, he got to see how his race was mistreated which had influenced him to want to bring a change between the borders. Although he led an army made up of 1,200 roughly recruited men, I feel like Euro-Americans were gaining more leverage due to the fact that they had acquired more land than the Mexicans and had control of an estimate of 80% professional, mercantile, and governing positions. Not to mention, a lot of these business Anglo men had advanced technology from their enhanced country known as Europe, and had already acquired wealth, something most Mexicans lost control of once land was taken from them.
ReplyDeleteAdrian Martinez
Chapter four is very interesting because it talks about the history of the Rio Grande Valley and it is good to know about the past of the place that I am currently living at and it also talks about the cities in Mexico that I’m familiar with like Reynosa, Matamoros, etc. The book mentions how the Mexican population was concentrated in the Rio Grande Valley and today the Rio Grande Valley still has a lot more Mexican families than the rest of Texas. Before reading the chapter, I did not know that Euro-Americans were living here in the valley, most of them lived in Brownsville and they controlled the government and at one point some of them completely dominated the economy of Texas. The book also mentions racism and how Euro-Americans nativist were trying to exclude Mexicans from citizenship even if they were born in the United States and I think that is similar to what is happening with DACA right know, because these children have been living here pretty much their whole life and without DACA, they live in fear of being deported to a country they have never been to and they also lose their right to work legally.
ReplyDeleteYadira de Leon
Apart from informing us about the Texas invasion and the difficulties that Mexicans faced due to racism and discrimination of that time, Acuna’s chapter 4 also shares a big message of perspective.
ReplyDeleteMany different wars and disputes occur, and unfortunately the winners get to tell their story which naturally favors them. This does not mean that that’s the truth. This message is probably seen all throughout the entire book; however, something that I found very interesting and important is the union that Mexicans formed by coming together to support each other and uplift their situation. As a Mexican, I know that our culture is very communitive focused. We are not as individualists as Americans usually are. This means, that by tradition and nature we look for each other more than we look for ourselves, and this chapter had many examples of this personality value that make Mexicans who they are. For example, at the very beginning when some Mexicans were send to Mexico because they lost their land, and others stayed on this side, they started selling their products across the border to help each other. Making corridos about other Mexicans to honor them for their bravery and effort is another example of this communitive personality. This care even exceeded cultural differences when some Mexicans risked their lives by helping slaves escape. At one point, even blacks and native Americans got together with the Mexicans to fight against Cordova. Maybe because they were minorities suffering made them have something in common to fight for; however, it is clear that they somehow left their differences out of the picture to help each other.
Ingrid Davila
It is fascinating to read about a history that occurred on the very land we live on today, something that is not taught to us in public school. I believe that this lack of knowledge is very dangerous considering how easy it is to overlook present tragedies now when it is obvious that history is merely repeating itself right before our eyes. Charles Stillman’s greedy actions are nothing far from unseen today. The stealing and profit from land that does not belong to them is nothing new to white people while the oppression through classism and racism is nothing new to Latinxs. Acuna discusses the journey of success these Euro-Americans went through off of the marginalization of colored and/or poor people. We see the demonization of activists and leaders like Juan “Cheno” Cortina in the way that the Black Lives Matter movement is portrayed by mainstream media, thus leading me back to my point of the importance of understanding historical context. This hunger for power despite the blood of colored people is embedded in the foundation of this country, from Christopher Columbus to Charles Stillman. It is definitely sad to see the type of discrimination our community has and will continue to face due to inconsideration to our land and culture. It is also empowering to see that we have persevered then and continue to do so with the resilience of our ancestors on our backs.
ReplyDeleteAndrea Juarez
How does one remain unbiased? I found it difficult to grasp that concept as I read this chapter. It was troubling to read how Euro-Americans came to South Texas only to reap the benefits of its lucrative trade and agriculture. Affluent and manipulative Euro-Americans such as Charles Stillman and Richard King, with their false promises and spiteful deeds made it seem as if the Lone Star state was a lawless land. Of course this couldn’t be the case since there was the Texas Rangers, which provided law and order. I suppose wealth and racial status has the means to influence one’s own special interest. To whom should I direct my resentment towards, and how? Do all “Euro-Americans” take without consideration, are they all self-absorbed with their false sense of splendor and grandeur? Or should I direct it towards the Mexican society, that of which approved the marriage of their daughters with a güero with blue eyes. And who discriminate within their own people because of one’s darker skin color, all for the sole purpose to assimilate to the imperialistic European norms. I don’t comprehend how it is justifiable fleeing the oppressions of Europe centuries before, only to become the oppressors of the new world. What I find even more enraging is that what occurred more than a century ago is (in a way) still happening now, with President Trump and his move to end DACA. If Mexicans were being lawfully persecuted 172 years ago, I don’t think much has changed since then. (252)
ReplyDelete-Victor D. Gaytan
In chapter four I learned that the Mexican corridor that happened by 1855, was unbelievable for me. Because some Mexicans didn’t support the anti-slavery attitude that some Mexicans had, some supported the slave plutocracy, considering themselves different from the slaves and the darker-skinned Mexicans.’ Why would they do that? Where they trying to protect themselves from U.S? or because they feel more superior than slaves? Whatever the reason there was no excuse for them to be racist against people who were colored skin just like them. The economic transformation after the civil war was a big impact to Euro-Texans. For the reason that Texas agriculture renewed in response to the loss of labor. The irrigation and mechanization changed the production methods and increased the demand for Mexican labor which caused the Mexican migration to Texas. My point was that by 1894, Mexican were already a big part of agriculture system including the economic system, wouldn’t president Trump be contradicting himself. With all respect I don’t see how “all Mexicans are useless” its provable that without Mexicans help there would be no improvement in the production system. Well he is wrong because not ‘all’ are like how he thinks we are, some are here because they know that there’s better things here than where their parent’s or they came from. These are just things that I found interesting in the whole chapter. (231)
ReplyDeleteStephanie Nicole cantu
After reading Acuña chapter four, I learn many things about Texas, how Rio Grande valley played a major roles during the 1800s. Also how Euro- Americans were obsessed about the valley on how they had control of the commerce. Most of the trade happened trough San Antonio, north of Mexico and between the borders of Mexico. U.S merchants monopolized trades through the border of Mexico thanks to social connections and political it’s frustrating knowing how Americans tried to control everything. I didn’t know that Mexicans were also being discriminated during the 1800s Neil Foley wrote a land policy about only white heads were eligible to receive land while Mexicans families were forced to move to Mexico. Since back then most of the Mexicans were poor and some of them have darker skins which means they had fewer options and they were discriminated, it frustrating knowing that if you had a darker skin it would be tough in been successful during the 1800s. There is something that I didn’t know that Mexicans helped runaway slaves by giving them false documents that granted their freedom, but I was surprised to find out that not all Mexicans helped runaways slaves most of the Mexicans didn’t care about African Americans since their skins were different.
ReplyDeleteFabian Perez
In chapter four of Occupied America, Acuña addressed the Texas Mexican labor force and the bias response and treatment from the native, white Texans. While the Euro-Americans deliberately disregarded Mexicans and their culture, it is aggravating to observe that they, however, found no conflict in their willingness to work the land and properties of the Texans. The ever-changing society in Texas created new opportunities for growth and development, and as many Mexican residents cohered under the boss rule, their chains of imprisonment fell deeper and deeper into the hands of their deceivers. After the system dwindled away under the fury of the Euro-Americans, Mexicans, once more, were despised on their own accounts. Moreover, the sudden economic advancement through railroads caught the attention of Mexico and all Mexicans in need of work; unsurprisingly, only for the cause of production were they permitted across the border and beside the “superior” heads of the state. It is a continuous struggle for Mexicans to gain citizenship in the United States even today, yet much of production and toil within agriculture stems from the working hands of Mexicans. Similarly, employed Mexican Americans, those with proper documentation, are chastised simply for their origins. It is a conflict seen still, and it is astonishing to see its occurrence since the eighteenth century.
ReplyDeleteCeline Brianna Salas
This chapter was very interesting to me and really got my attention. Like the fact that this chapter talked so much about places that I myself have family living in, such as Matamoros, the Rio Grande, and I myself lived in San Antonio for a year. Something else that got my attention and didn’t like was that many Euro-American people wanted to take out Mexicans from Texas and sent them back to Mexico in any way they could. They would treat them wrong and wouldn’t see them equally. Till this day, many people are still discriminating Mexicans and are saying that they are just ruining everything and they should just go back to Mexico. I don’t like the way that they are targeting Mexicans because my parents were born in Mexico and came to this country for my brother, sister and I to have a better life then they did. They don’t have anything bad on their record and are hardworking people. Many others are saying that ALL Mexicans are bad and that is just not true. I just wish that the discrimination towards Mexicans will go away and for people to see that Mexicans are here because they want a better life and not make things worse.
ReplyDeleteIvan Lira
Chapter four was interesting into how people would see San Antonio as a gateway to Mexico. Maybe because now San Antonio is part of the United States and back then, it was an area that was used for a battle. Violence was a huge problem for Mexicans until this day so many things are being said such as, that Mexicans are criminals. This gets me upset because so many families have gone through struggle to only get the best for their families. An example is Donald Trump removing the DACA support system for the dreamers. Another thing that I found interesting was how so many events happened in the Valley and not so many people know about this area. Most of my attention was how the people would look at the Mexicans. Mexicans were always looked as the bad people but until this day, Mexicans have brought more than anything into this country such as food, cotton and other products that are used often.
ReplyDeleteYarazeth Ramirez
So far after reading Chapter 4 it is my favorite one by far because it talks about where we currently live and grew up in, the Rio Grande Valley. It showed how there was so much hatred and discrimination because of our color. Color was huge back in the year between 1836 and 1845. Which is sad to know that people based you off color and even till this day it still exists and to know it started since the 18th century and continue is a bigger shock as well. From the year 1836 the Mexican population grew from 4,000 to 14,000 in the year of 1850. That is a significant increase in those years between. I find it so interesting to be able to hear the other side of the history. All our lives we have only known thru America’s version of what happened during the colonization in Texas. As a resident of the Rio Grande Valley, the history of this place is important but the stories that Acuna tells us is something totally new to me. The way he tells these stories are abundant in detail, it angers me to know that our ancestors suffered greatly at the end of people who judge base on the pick mentation of our skin.
ReplyDeleteBrandi Rae Rodriguez
I think it is funny how Anglo-Americans see everything south of San Antonio as a gate way into Mexico. It's no secret that there is a huge Hispanic presence here in the south but they refuse to understand that there is more to just color on skin. Discrimination is still a problem in the 20th cenrty it would be crazy to think it no longer exists because we do not experience it our selfs. I consider myself lucky for being born in the Rio Grande Valley. The Valley is somewhere where we can explore our roots without traveling far. It's somewhere where we can continue our traditions, beliefs and rituals without being scared of being judged. The Valley has a heavy Hispanic influence and is I area that is on the grow,so we can expect that our reach is going to just keep growing. My father was born on Roma, but would go work up north. We would tell me stories about how the farmowners would warn them to stay out of town. That the farmowners would go and get them groceries and supplies because they were scared for the workers. That the farmowners would talk to them about how some of the town people weren't to accepting of them being there and how they couldn't just go to the police if anything happened. This might seem like a crazy town but there are alot of towns just like it all over the United States today. I've heard stories of a town just like this outside Houston. Its not fair that we get judged on the color of our skin but it is something we have to learn to live with. We can't let the opinion of others affect the way we live.
ReplyDeleteJacob Garza
In chapter 4 I learned about how Mexicans made a great impact not only in the major cities that we know today but also in South Texas, it is important, because I didn’t know the history of South Texas especially in the Rio Grande Valley. During that time, the Mexican community suffered a lot of discrimination and violent acts by Euro-Americans and white Texans, which currently is a problem that we still face today, forcing them to eventually start to decline especially in San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, and El Paso. Mexicans were often lynched by these people that most of the time they didn’t care if they were killing innocent people, as a result some Mexicans act against these cruel people, for example, Juan “Cheno” Cortina started to defend Mexican when he saw Marshall Bob Spears whipping a Mexican, another Mexican consider a hero by his people was Gregorio Cortez who killed a sheriff in response when the sheriff shot his brother, I can relate these type of people who stand up for Mexicans as when Cesar Chavez fight for Mexican’s labor rights but obviously in a civilized way. Most of the Mexicans that lived in that time in Texas were Mexicans, some elite Mexicans had better opportunities, some Mexican even married white people. The railroad system helped develop Texas after the civil war, San Antonio rapidly increase his population by 208 percent, farmers usually used the system to travel cattle. The history of Mexicans in these chapter it is very important as we learned something that has been in the history of Texas and it is part of Texas.
ReplyDeleteLuis Reyna
In chapter 4 of Acuna’s “Occupied America” I realized that many of the actions happened where I live today. I do think it’s important to always know where you come from and this chapter has helped me recognized, even more, the struggles the Mexicans had in this area. It tells of the Rio Grande and how the Euro-Americans desired to establish supremacy over this land. But of course, the Tejanos would not stand for this. Although the Euro-Americans did gain this land many still fought northern Mexico and the rights of the Mexican Americans still living in this nation. One person that especially stood out to me was Juan “Cheno” Cortina. His actions to protect his people against racism and hatred has inspired me to be stronger and prouder of my heritage. I also thought that the way he started his revolutionary career was interesting because Acuna stated it as being accidental. He was never looking to be a hero for his people it just came naturally. “Cheno” was a radical, but I believe it was very much needed for him, and his beliefs of freedom for Mexicans, to be recognized by the Euro-Americans. “Cortina’s career had transformed him from a social bandit to a revolutionary,” (70). Throughout the reading I also discovered that race plays a huge role in your status and since the Euro- Americans being of white complexion they believed to be more superior to the people of color. They forced those of color to be down leveled and did so aggressively, by the example of the Texas Rangers. Through these tribulations that Mexicans had and still do to this day, I feel and inspired to be strong in the heritage I have been given.
ReplyDeleteAlma De La Llana
After reading Chapter 4 of Acuña’s “Occupied America” I realized that there are a lot of details that have not been taught to us since childhood. We hear “The Alamo” and feel proud because we know that a fight was fought there, that Mexicans were part of that fight, and that us who live in Texas have the privilege to visit that place whenever we want. However we ignore that The Colonization of Texas was much more than that. Texas became a very powerful state thanks to Mexico and its resources like cotton production.
ReplyDeleteThe Mexican migration to Texas was huge during these periods of time. After the Civil War, Texas went through a very important change in terms of industrialization. A lot of farms changed their operating system for a mechanized one, creating an increase in Mexican labor. This change in production methods also created a world of slavery not only for colored people but for Mexicans as well. We see again the terrible conditions these people lived in and it makes me think on how they felt like when they found themselves working the land that once belonged to them, being treated as products and not as human beings, believing they had lost the territory that once belonged to them knowing that Mexico was and will always be an important part of Texas.
-Rossy Tapia Cervantes
In chapter four of “Occupied America, A History of Chicanos”, specifies the Colonization of Texas. Remember the Alamo! It talks about how Texas came to be. Mexicans started to migrate to Texas because South Texas had much to live for like land and cattle. As the Anglo Americans saw all this immigration, of course they wanted something to do with it. This chapter not only mentions San Antonio, one of the most important cities in Texas, but as well as Rio Grande; Brownsville to be exact. I just find it very annoying how Texas was once part of Mexico before the battle of The Alamo, and now that the Mexican immigrants wanted to build a life and future of their own they were unable to because the land that was once theirs, was taken away from them. It’s crazy how these Euro Americans wanted control of Texas and sections like the Rio Grande Valley. If they didn’t get what they wanted, there was occurrences of violence and death. It’s sad to say that even today some of these unfair commotions still occur today just like in the 1850s. We would all hear and talk about how African Americans had it the worst in the past, yet our people were going through the same thing. Sadly, it took me to read this chapter to realize that African Americans weren’t the only ones getting tortured or hung, but Mexicans as well.
ReplyDeleteGiselle Sanchez