Two Stories of Injustice
Felix Longoria Burial Affair
In 1948 the remains of Private Felix Longoria were recovered from the Philippines, where he had been killed on a volunteer mission during World War II. His body was shipped home for burial in the Three Rivers cemetery, which at the time was segregated. The director of the funeral home, Tom Kennedy, would not allow the use of the chapel because, “We never made a practice of letting Mexicans use the chapel and we don’t want to start now,” and because "the whites would not like it." Longoria's widow, Beatrice, contacted Dr. Hector Garcia, the founder of the newly formed American G. I. Forum. He, in turn, contacted the funeral director and eventually received the same refusal and rationale. Dr. Garcia continuously contacted Senator Lyndon B. Johnson about the injustice in Three Rivers. Senator Johnson responded immediately with support; he offered the family the option to bury their son closer to home at Fort Sam Houston National Military Cemetery or at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral took place on February 16, 1949, at the Arlington National Cemetery. (click here for more information) |
Delgado v. Bastrop ISD
"Until the late 1940's, the public education system in Texas offered segregated campuses with minimal facilities and curriculum frequently limited to vocational training" (Texas State Historical Association). Following a supreme court ruling in California that disallowed the segregation of Mexican American children, Gustavo Garcia, a Mexican-American attorney, argued that the segregation of Mexican children from other white races was unconstitutional. Done on behalf of Minerva Delgado and twenty other Mexican American parents, this suit also charged that these districts deprived children of equal facilities, services, and educational instruction. In 1949, Judge Ben H. Rice agreed with the suit and ordered the cessation of this separation. (click here for more information) |
Guiding Thought...
These two events are used to help display some of various ways that Mexican Americans opposed injustices. Please consider the importance of group action when answering the critical thinking questions.
These two events are used to help display some of various ways that Mexican Americans opposed injustices. Please consider the importance of group action when answering the critical thinking questions.