Assigment 8: My Story

For the past weeks, I have search for information on what was life like for the Chicanos in the Bay Area during WWII. I have realized a few things…

I understand that many ethnicities contributed to the success of the war. Whether it was on the home front or in combat many ethnicities were present. This blog was developed in order to understand the contributions that Latinos made. It is not designed to take away from anyone who served in the WWII.

Going on, I pose the question what does it mean to be an American? That question is answered differently by different people. For some it means to serve in the military for their country.

In my search, I have realized that Mexican-Americans played a significant role. They deserve to be noticed for their valor, work ethic, and their drive to be Americans. According to authors, Matt S. Meiner and Feliciano Ribera, “their valor helped them garner proportionally more military honor than any other ethnic group.” Below is a table that depicts WWII medals awarded to Hispanics. (I know, I know, its Wikipedia, but it was the best table that I could find on the internet.)

Hispanic Americans: U.S. Armed Forces Awards in World War II

Medal of Honor
13

Distinguished Service Cross
140

Navy Cross Medal
25

Legion of Merit
323

Silver Star
2006

Bronze Star
1352

Distinguished Flying Cross
55

Purple Heart
3378

Air Medal
237

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_Americans_in_World_War_II

I am still searching for someone to speak to about their service during this era. Yes, I know that it is difficult but something will come. I plan to look for some Memorial Day celebrations this coming weekend, hopefully I will find someone.

If I had an opportunity to put what I have done in a museum it would go as follows:

I.
First thing would be something visual. A white wall with projected images of Latinos during WWII. I would have a mixture of music of that era playing in the background.

II.
An area would be contributed to the Braceros. I would have their type of tools displayed, the crops they harvested, railroad artifacts, mining artifacts,pictures, and voiced narratives on their struggle and their lives.

III.
Another section would be contributed to the home front. Pictures of the dances at “Sweets” ballroom. Type of clothes that was worn would be displayed,the Zoot Suits, the dresses, pictures of women painting on their nylons, the fashions that were worn during this period.

IV.
The last section would be on the servicemen. Who they were, what they did, where they served, what branch, and why they did it. I would have uniforms, letters, pictures, voice narratives, type of struggles men faced.

V.
I would close with the backlash that Ken Burns created with his series “The War” and his neglect of including Latinos. I would include clips from “The War”,videos of the backlash, letters, and Ken Burns’s response to what happened.

I would like the patron to walk away from the exhibit feeling that Mexican-Americans were not invisible during WWII and they do deserve to be recognized just like everyone else.

Assignment 7: Overview, meditation, and still working…

Overall, the major themes I have discovered in this search of information are three:

1. Latinos in the Military

A.
Ready to prove their loyalty

B.
“Second -Class Citizens-“Severed in the military, but still faced discrimination in the United States.

2. The Latinos at home

A.
Many contributed to the war with personal sacrifices

i.
Rationing
ii.
Assisting with material drives, such as rubber and glass.

3. The Braceros

A.
Working class Mexicans brought from the Mexico to fill the labor shortages in industries like agriculture, railroads, and mining.

One of the themes, I have not really expanded on is number one, Latinos in the military. I am reading a book right now, Among the Valliant, by Raul Morin. It has given me a good perspective on Latino service. I am also in the middle of another book, this one by Maggie-Rivas. Her project, the Latino Oral History Project, is made up of interviews of Latino/a WWII veterans. Many of these veterans came from all sections of the country. They served with pride and distinction. Below is a website that I found which gives you the names, pictures, and backgrounds of Latino Medal of Honor winners from all the wars. You have to scroll down to see WWII winners of the medals:

http://www.homeofheroes.com/e-books/mohE_hispanic/index.html

It is an interesting to see that minorities fought to defend this country. There is a long legacy of Latino involvement in the wars of this country. The tradition of service sometimes left these soldiers proud Americans or left them to question the reason of their service, when at home they still faced discrimination. They have been the recipients of the Service Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. In the coming weeks, I will do some more research on who won these medals. For now, my search goes on.

I will keep you informed on what I find…

Assignment 6: Rations in the Home Front

If you were alive during WWII and living in the Bay area and as well as the rest of the nation, you were forced to deal with a few changes that affected everyone including the Latinos…

The government of this country decided that its citizens should make small sacrifices for the benefit of the war. It made sure its boys in the Pacific and in Europe had enough cheese, meat, and milk. Laws like the Priorities and Allocation Act in 1940, and the Second War Powers Act in 1942, made it possible for goods to be rationed to the public. Commodities ranging from sugar to cars were allocated based on a system of red and blue colored coupons and certificates developed by the government. People were able to get sugar, coffee, and shoes through “Uniform” coupons, each item would cost the person one coupon. To get meats, cheese, processed foods, (you know the good stuff) a person had to use their “Points,” to buy these items. “Differential” coupons were used to buy gasoline or fuel oil. “Certificate” rationing applications were used to buy typewriters, cars, tires, and stoves. (Examples of the certificates are above.) These ration books were distributed by the teachers in the neighborhood schools. According to author Silvia Whitman, “each person was entitled to two pounds of sugar a month and three pairs of shoes a year.” People were allowed to earn bonus points if they saved bacon grease and other kitchen fats (which were used to make explosives) and dumped in scrap barrels. Many of the citizens had rubber and metal scrap drives in order to collect these materials for the government.

Women were encouraged to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs in their backyard “Victory Gardens.” It’s estimated that more that 20 million were planted in the U.S. in 1943. Many of the women canned their groceries in jars. Women’s fashions were also affected by the war. Mrs. Rosa Maria Escobar said many women painted on their nylons instead of purchasing them, because Uncle Sam needed the nylons to make parachutes. Everyone was doing their part to make the war machine continue and to win.

It was a bit difficult if you ask me. I find it very difficult to believe that today’s society would prosper under these conditions. Everyone would be upset. Look at how worked up they got about health care reform, the black outs in California in the early 2000s, and traffic.

Who wants the government telling them what to do and when to do it? I know I defiantly don’t. I want my coffee when I need it, when I want it that sometimes means three times a day.

Sylvia Whitman.V is for Victory: The American Home Front during World War II. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 1993.

American in World War II: The 1940s, Primary Sources in U.S. History. The Center for Learning. TAP Instructional Materials.

Interview with Rosa Maria Escobar. May 5,2010. San Leandro, CA.

Assignment 5: Los Compadres Restaurant in Hayward, Sweets Ballroom, and Disappointments

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Hey guys,

I went to the Hayward Historical Society again this week. Shout outs to the ladies, they came through and assisted me with the resources available.

Before I tell you what happened, I have another lady to thank. When I walked into the research room of the historical society, a woman was buried in what look like old books filled with newspaper clippings. She asked what I was working on, I told her, and she said for me to give her my contact information, in case something came up. I gave her my information and then we parted ways. A few days passed and she sent me some leads on where to get more information. I put some calls in and hopefully I will get something soon.

Thank you Sherry.

The Hayward Historical Society owns a book, “Life Stories: Voices from the East Bay Latino Community.” The book has biographical stories of some citizens of the East bay. One feature the book offers is an insight on social life of the bay areans. According to the book, one of the most popular gathering spots for Latinos was “Sweets Ballroom” in Oakland. Apparently the establishment has exchanged ownership, locations, and names, but the book listed an address of 1414 Franklin, Oakland, as the one in which many tardeadas, afternoon dances, were held. It was the place to socialize, impress, and possibly find romance.

“We went to Sweet’s Ballroom on 14th…where everybody went dancing...where all the swing dancing [took place]. You could wear your zoot suit there we saw all the big stars…like Charlie Barnett, Artie Shaw, Xavier Cugat.”It must have been an interesting place to be.

The Oakland museum had some Sweets Ballroom pictures on their website (posted above). There is still a Sweets in Oakland, but it is now on 1933 Broadway. I made the trip to see it and although, it is not the one the book discussed, it was still a wonderful theater. I have posted some pictures.

This week, I also went to the California Historical Society in San Francisco. I was very disappointed because I had e-mailed the organization about what I was doing and they said “sure come in.” Fought my way through the parking hassle of the city and when I finally arrived they said “we can’t help you.” Man that was such a letdown.

I also traveled to the San Leandro history room. Called in the morning to check if the room would be open. They said yes. Later in the evening, I arrived only to find the room closed due to a short staffing. Man that was not cool.

For the coming week, I plan to re-visit the San Leandro history room, look at some newspapers, and see what else I can kick around.

http://museumca.org/LHP/images/1_begin2pgs.pdf
http://museumca.org/LHP/elizabeth_sweets.htm
http://museumca.org/LHP/images/4_socialife.pdf
http://www.historicsweetsballroom.com/