In 1945 Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, California farmers, sent their children off to the local school, only to be told that the youngsters would have to attend a separate facility reserved for Mexican Americans. In response the Mendezes and other aggrieved parents from nearby school districts went to federal court to challenge the segregation. Uniquely, they did not claim racial discrimination, since Mexicans were legally considered white, but rather discrimination based on ancestry and supposed "language deficiency" that denied their children their Fourteenth Amendment rights to equal protection under the law.
Strum tells how, thanks to attorney David Marcus's carefully crafted arguments, federal district court judge Paul McCormick came to support the plaintiffs on the grounds that the social, psychological, and pedagogical costs of segregated education were damaging to Mexican-American children. The school districts claimed that federal courts had no jurisdiction over education, but the Ninth Circuit upheld McCormick's decision, ruling that the schools' actions violated California law. The appeal to the Ninth Circuit was supported by amicus briefs from leading civil liberties organizations, including the NAACP, which a few years later would adapt the arguments of Mendez in representing the plaintiffs in Brown.
Strum effectively weaves together narrative and analysis with personality portraits to create a highly readable and accessible story, allowing us to hear the voices of all the protagonists. She also presents the issues evenhandedly, effectively balancing her presentation of arguments by both the plaintiffs and the schools that sought to continue the segregation of Mexican-American students.
Ultimately, Mendez highlights how Mexican Americans took the lead to secure their civil rights and demonstrates how organization, courage, and persistence in the Mexican-American communities could overcome the racism of the school boards. Their inspiring example is particularly timely given the current controversies over immigration and the growing national interest in Latino life.
Reviews (6)
This exceptionally well-written, engaging, and fact-filled book traces ...
This exceptionally well-written, engaging, and fact-filled book traces the Mendez's Herculean efforts against the Boards of Education and their determination at confronting racism and putting an end to segregation in elementary schools in Southern California. The book exposes the conspiracy of multiple school disctricts' exclusionary policies imposed on Americans of Mexican ancestry for 25 years up to the 40's when the case was brought before the Ninth Circuit of Appeals. In addition, it presents the racist notions practiced and held by Anglo-Saxons towards the general populace of Americans of Mexican ancesty. More importantly, it was a catalyst for all the elite civil rights organizations to weigh in on the case and shows how this landmark decision was used in the arguments for the Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954. David Marcus carried the burden of this case and deserves the credit for his intelligence, sensitivity, and deftly molded arguments against segregation then legal across the nation.
Educator's Must Read
Before Brown v. Board of Education, there was Mendez v. Westminster. Important to know our history.
Bought it for a friend
Book was for a friend. He is very happy with book. Story direct, concise and to the point. This is the only book on this topic on the market? G. Olmos
Five Stars
Excellent reading - an important case that is often overlooked. Highly recommend it!
Review on Mendez v. Westminster which unfortunately is not covered in the California schools curriculum.
The book was very informative, objective and accurate. I loved the cover as it shows a large picture of the stamp issued in honor of this trial and the families. I used it for a very successful report I gave at the college.
Landmark Case
A very detailed account of an amazing and historical landmark case that had been buried and forgotten for decades. Beautifully written!
