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History is an amazing thing. In grade school we learned a collection
of facts that we called history. I always accepted this as being 'real'
history without ever thinking about any other perspective.
But once you step out of the bounds of the history we've always been
taught, you learn that history is a collection of stories told from the
perspective of the culture teaching them. Opening your eyes to a different
perspective gives you a fascinating insight into different aspects of
our society.
Woodland Community College offers a Mexican American
History (La Raza Studies) class. This class was taught by Ciereno Rodriguez,
who I felt was an excellent instructor who really believes in what he
is teaching. Senor Rodriguez has a great approach to his subject- he is
able to tell us how modern Mexican-American culture relates to the Aztecs,
how our society is affected by what happened 800 years ago. He also tells
interesting stories about his childhood in a little ranchito in Mexico,
and tells us how the history affected his life in a different country.
Senor Rodriguez really made a lot of this class seem important because
he provided a bridge to the subject. He grew up picking tomatoes in the
Central Valley, his family was deported by the US government, he took
part in the Chicano movement. This instructor really made the class interesting
and something I looked forward to each time. When you are being taught
by someone who really cares about what they are teaching, you can learn
a lot more.
Interesting things we learned about:
- Aztec religion and history
- Spanish Colonial Period*
- Mexican Revolution(s)
- Mexican/American War
- Early California History (1848+)
- Chicano Movement
*Okay- I admit that the Spanish Colonial Period was not very interesting.
But it was an important background for some of the things we learned later
on.
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Student Impressions |
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What is your name? Anthony Garcia
How many college credits do you have? This is
my first semester, but I am taking 13 units.
What do you think about this class? I like the
class, good information. I like learning about this because I am
Mexican. I have learned about other history, finally I am learning
about my own.
What are your goals? I want to get my associates
degree, then transfer to a 4-year school. Maybe become a probation
officer. Then I want to get my own house, wife, family, kids- the
whole thing.
What was the most interesting part of the class?
Learning how white Americans stole land from Mexicans in California. |
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 Cesar
Chavez is more than a holiday. Prior to this class, my only real
connection with Cesar was the fact that I get one day off work each year
in his honor and a vague curiosity about the possible connection with
the salad dressing. When I learned more about him, it made me realize
that Cesar Chavez day isn't "Mexican Day" as I previously called
it, but a time when all of us honor someone who made huge social changes
in a way we can all respect. I don't think of Cesar Chavez as being 'pro-Mexican',
Chavez was for the workers, for the people, and for social progress.
President Clinton said: "The farm workers who labored in the fields
and yearned for respect and selfsufficiency pinned their hopes on
this remarkable man who, with faith and discipline, soft spoken humility
and amazing inner strength, led a very courageous life"
Chavez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom which noted how
Chavez was a farm worker from childhood who "possessed a deep personal
understanding of the plight of migrant workers, and he labored all his
years to lift their lives." During his lifetime, Chavez never earned
more than $5,000 a year. The late Senator Robert Kennedy called him "one
of the heroic figures of our time."
To me, that last item was very important. Chavez and Bobby Kennedy worked
together a few times during the 60's social revolution. If Kennedy had
not been assassinated, Chavez may have found his struggle to be much easier
with support from the senator. But if the struggle were easier, would
Chavez have proven himself to be the person he was?
UFW President Arturo Rodriguez said, "Every day in California and
in other states where farm workers are organizing, Cesar Chavez lives
in their hearts. Cesar lives wherever Americans he inspired work nonviolently
for social change."
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What is your name? Michelle
How many college credits do you have so far? I've
got 40 units so far. My goal is to get a sociology degree. The only
reason I haven't transferred to Sac State is that I am horrible
at math.
What are your plans after that? I'm not sure yet,
some sort of job, but I haven't determined which field yet.
What do you think about Woodland Community College?
I'll probably like Sac State better. I do like any class with Judy
Bean (instructor) though.
What do you think about this class? It's okay.
I wish that he (the instructor) told fewer stories in Spanish. I
just kind of sit here and laugh when everyone else does, because
I don't speak Spanish. The most interesting part is when he tells
storys about when he was young.
Are you Hispanic? I don't know, I'm adopted. |
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I lost the tape with this guys interview. But there was no way I could
pass up the picture.
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From: tasha - Date: 06-May-05 |
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pretty cool
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From: falbarran@ula.edu.mx - Date: 26-Aug-05 |
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Los felicito por esta pagina y les mando un cordial saludo desde la Ciudad de Mexico. Yo estudie algunos creditos en este Colegio. Mis abuelos viven en Woodland y me da gusto que halla mas impulso para los estudiantes hispanos.
ATT.
Lic. Federico Albarran Sandoval Coordinador de la Escuela de Ciencias Administrativas de la Universida Latinoamericana MEXICO. ￂﾡVIVA LA RAZA!
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From: Cameron - Date: 27-Aug-05 |
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hey... i'm that guy you lost my interview.... it wasn't much.... but hey, nice picture jajjaja
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From: Cesar - Date: 18-Jan-06 |
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foste um grande homem VIVA LA RAZA adt es um grande lutador
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From: Tanya Jasso - Date: 03-Mar-06 |
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WOW this is cool :} I like it!!:} ~VIVA LA RAZA~!!!!!!!!
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From: Vanessa Estrada - Date: 23-May-06 |
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Viva La Raza!!!!!!!!!I am Proud To Be A LATINO!!VIVA MEXICO!!! 4 EVER LATINOS!!!!!
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From: enea - Date: 09-Jun-06 |
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viva eddie parasiempre!!!!!! viva la raza!!!! viva mexico
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From: karissa - Date: 13-Jun-06 |
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hey y dont we have a web site like this 4 winters??
GO TRACK AND FEILD!!
kari*
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From: elva - Date: 06-Oct-06 |
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me gusta la foto VIVA MEXICO!!!!! VIVA LA RAZA
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From: ANA - Date: 06-Oct-06 |
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LATINAS UNIDAS VIVA LA RAZA MEXICANO
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From: Greg - Date: 13-Oct-06 |
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!!!!!!!!VIVA LA RAZA 4EVER VIVA MEXICO VIVA TODOS LOS RAZAS DE LATINOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From: edith - Date: 17-Jan-07 |
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eddie gerrero vive!! viva la raza!! viva mexico!! el mejor pais!!! mi pais azteca
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From: Vicente Gonzalez - Date: 27-Mar-07 |
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VIVAN MEXICO Y LOS ANGELES!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From: jose martinez penaloza - Date: 05-Apr-07 |
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viva la raza mexicana y guerrero
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From: 6th Generation Californian - Date: 11-Apr-07 |
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Seriously, if Mexico is so great, why are you here? This Viva la Raza class sounds like Mexican brainwashing. A lot of you "Mexicans" are of Spanish decent, what do you think your ancestors did to the Aztecs when they came over? THey slaughtered, raped and stole their land. Is that covered before or after the instructor gets on the "white people" for stealing Califonia lands? Also, the Mexicans have done such great things with their country, maybe the "white man" should steal the rest and fix it for you. Or would you rather the U.S. just keep sending the billions of dollars in aid down there? I have an idea, since you're here in the U.S., why don't you try living life as Americans and get that Mexican flag off the back of your Chevy.
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From: moises rodriguez - Date: 20-Apr-07 |
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viva la raza cabrones ajua......./////
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From: vidales - Date: 23-Apr-07 |
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Why are we here? 6th Generation, you obviously DO NOT know your history, or you'd know that "we" were here long before the US of A was established. A lot of our ancestors were the natives of these states, who yes, did get raped as you say. Yes, they do teach us that in "our" history classes, try taking one before you open your ignorant mouth next time. We did not cross the line, the line crossed us.
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From: Rudy Hernandez - Date: 25-Apr-07 |
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VIVA LA RAZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From: delia - Date: 11-Sep-07 |
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thats right viva mi raza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From: karlo - Date: 24-Oct-07 |
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viva la raza!!!! fosho!
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From: Anonymous - Date: 26-Oct-07 |
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If you are so proud of your origins, why do so many of you insist on fleeing your origins for your neighbor to the north? Maybe you should take your own advice and keep your "viva la raza" in Mexico.
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