The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Estella Lopez discusses the battle to save public education from the voucher system and the development of Chicana activism. Lopez explains that while Chicanos have made some gains since the 1960s, the community is still dealing with issues of racism and the quality of education. One of the biggest challenges Chicanos face comes from the voucher education system recently passed in California and Texas. Lopez explains that the system in California would do away with public schools and place the burden of education on the parents who would receive money to develop their own schools. Lopez argues that this program would be disastrous for Chicanos, who already have the highest drop-out rate in California. She also explains other California legislations that are threatening Chicanos including Proposition 9, which would reduce funds for community social service programs. In response, community activists are going to door, holding coffee klatches and making sure people know the social costs of these laws. In the second half of the interview, Lopez talks about women's participation in community activism. She explains that women play a major role in activism on campuses and in communities, and are becoming increasingly vocal and assertive. She notes that more and more women are taking on leadership roles and running for political office as they capitalize on the contacts they have made through their work, their neighborhoods and their children. Keywords: 1960s, Acculturation, Activism, Bilingual Education, California, Chicano Dropout Rates, Chicano Studies, Children, Community Agencies, Community Colleges, Community Organizing, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, Dolores Huerta, Dropout Rates, Education, Education Curriculum, Electoral Politics, Estella Lopez, Families, Howard Jarvis, Illegal Alien, Immigration, Institutional Racism, Jarvis 1, Junior Colleges, Media, Mental Health, Migration, Minority Dropout Rates, Minority Representation in Higher Education, Parent Teacher Associations, Parenting, Police Brutality, Political ideology, Political leadership, Proposition 13, Proposition 9, PTA, racism, Social Services, Teacher Certification, Texas, Undocumented Children, Undocumented Workers, University of California-Berkley, Voucher System, Women in leadership positions, Women's Organizing. Broadcast date: 1980-04-12.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Fregoso, Rosa Linda. (host), and López, Estella (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
4/9/1980
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin