Mexican american segregation

Date and country of first publication

1981
United States

Definition

Mexican American segregation refers to the historical practice of separating Mexican Americans from the rest of the population through various discriminatory laws, policies, and social practices.

During the early 20th century, Mexican Americans faced segregation in many areas of life, including education, housing, employment, and public facilities. In some regions, Mexican American children were forced to attend separate, inferior schools, while Mexican American workers were often limited to low-paying, unskilled jobs.

In the Southwest, where a significant Mexican American population was concentrated, racial segregation was often enforced by law. For example, in states like Texas and California, Mexicans were legally barred from attending schools with white children, living in certain neighborhoods, or patronizing certain businesses.

Segregation was also prevalent in the form of "Mexican-only" establishments like movie theaters, restaurants, and swimming pools, which catered exclusively to Mexican Americans because they were barred from using the facilities frequented by white people.

Over time, civil rights activists and organizations fought against these discriminatory practices and sought to dismantle segregation in Mexican American communities. The landmark Supreme Court case of Mendez v. Westminster in 1947, for example, challenged the segregation of Mexican American students in California schools and paved the way for the desegregation of public education in the region.

While significant progress has been made since the mid-20th century, some argue that forms of segregation still persist today, particularly in terms of educational opportunities, housing patterns, and socioeconomic disparities affecting Mexican American communities.

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Further reading

Matre M.; Mindiola T., Jr. (1981) "Residential segregation in Southwestern metropolitan areas: 1970", Sociological Focus, 14(1), pp. 15-31. . DOI: 10.1080/00380237.1981.10570379

Powers J.M. (2014) "On separate paths: The Mexican American and African American legal campaigns against school segregation", American Journal of Education, 121(1), pp. 29-55. University of Chicago Press. DOI: 10.1086/678124