Equal Opportunities Programs Office
NASA Ames Research Center

Dr. Julia Curry
October 15, 2004 11am (Pacific)

Latinas and Latinos represent aapproximately 13% of the population of the United States. In certain regions they constitute part of what is referred to as the "majority minority." That is, along with members of other traditional racial/ethnic minority groups, Latinos constitute more than people of European ancestry. Latinos, like many other groups in the United States share histories of immigration, integration to U.S. territory as a result of armed struggle, discrimination, and also of activist efforts that have improved the quality of their lives. Indeed, Latino civic participation is an essential part of American history. This discussion addresses the role of Latinos in the struggle for educational equity. This year we celebrate Brown v. Board of Education as a milestone in educational equity for minority children and youth. Yet, many efforts born of the idealism of democracy preceded this effort in a way that could only happen in the United States. Examples of efforts to redress discrimination initiated by ordinary people abound-but they are often unknown to the public, which celebrates selected efforts thereby burying part of American history. This presentation provides a historical overview of efforts to address educational equity. In particular we focus on the 1945 case of Mendez v. Westminster School District of Orange County. This is the 57th anniversary of a case that in effect filed opened the door for Brown vs. Board of Education. The dreams of Latino parents for the education of their children changed the educational experience for Mexican Americans and Latina/os in California and affected education for all.