Mexican Repatriation

Today we'll focus on the story of Mexican-Americans in the late 1920's and 1930's, learning about the repatriation campaigns that took place. You'll start by reading this background article:

• Repatriation movement

This information will help you to understand the article from this month's Atlantic Monthly magazine. (We will give you a paper copy). While you are reading you will use this study guide

• Reading guide

Your answers can be either in the form of annotations on the article or notes in your notebook.

When you are finished with the article you will watch this oral history:

• Albino Pineda Tells His Family Story of Repatriation In The 1930s

You will watch it on your own, with headphones (we will give you a set if you need).  When you are finished, we will use a comment from the end of Pineda's story as a writing prompt. He asserts, "the same thing is happening today that happened in those time." The article addresses this as well.

Your response will come in the form of a one-paragraph letter to the president from the perspective of Albino Pineda, raising questions and ideas based in the articles and video. What concerns or warnings does he have for the president? How do the details from the two articles you read add to the argument? Your goal is to use the history as the basis for an assertion about what needs to happen today.