BY STUDENT
Migration to the United States has always been a difficult journey for most Latinx groups. The Mexican and Puerto Rican communities faced some of the biggest challenges upon arriving in the United States. In this blog, I will compare the treatment between the Mexican and Puerto Rican migrants in the early twentieth century.
The Mexican community migrated throughout the southwest. Puerto Ricans concentrated in different areas of New York City. Both communities were mainly lower and working-class individuals. They experienced poor living conditions such as overcrowded and unventilated rooms. Over time, they were victims of urban renewal, which kicked many out of their homes. Public services such as sports facilities, pools, and playgrounds were limited to the non-Latino population. Mexican immigrants could only use the pools the day before they were cleaned because they were seen as dirty people who lacked personal hygiene. Puerto Ricans would see signs in public places saying, “No dogs or Puerto Ricans allowed” (Bedolla, 2014). Good-paying jobs weren’t open to either group. Mexicans in the south were making about $1.25 a day (Sanchez, 1995). Puerto Ricans worked blue-collar jobs with low wages in low-paying sectors (Korrol, 1983). There were always periods of high unemployment, making it difficult to survive. Poll taxes and literacy tests were implemented to voters, making it difficult for Latino groups to register or pay the fees. As a result, most didn’t vote. States in the south even restricted voting in the primary election to the white population only (Bedolla, 2014). Mexicans were victims of lynching’s, deportations and police harassment. Puerto Ricans came at the peak of segregation and were attacked due to the increase of bodega markets in the city (Bedolla, 2014). The constant mistreatment led these communities to come together to look out for their people. The Mutualistas were mutual aid societies that helped Mexicans deal with economic protection, education and other important types of aid (Bedolla, 2014). Puerto Ricans created several organizations to assist newcomers with employment and housing difficulties. These groups helped newcomers adapt to life in the United States and protected them from violence. It tells you a lot about these people who barely had anything but still did as much as they could to support their own people who were going through similar struggles.
It’s clear that both of these communities weren’t welcomed with open arms in the United States. They had to fight for their place in society and dealt with the hardships that came with being a Latinx individual in the early twentieth century. As of 2019 it’s very difficult for Latino migrants to succeed in the United States but we have created a better support system for these newcomers. We have grown as a country and will continue to provide opportunities for future immigrants.
Sources
Bedolla, Lisa García. Latino Politics. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2014.
Korrol, Virginia Sánchez. From Colonia to Community: The History of Puerto Ricans in New York City. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994.
Sanchez, George J., Charles Bergquist, and Ricardo Penaranda. Becoming Mexican American Ethnicity, Culture, and Identity in Chicano Los Angeles, 1900-1945. Cary: Oxford University Press, USA, 2014.
Who would of thought that both Mexican and Puerto Ricans had so much in common during times of earlier migration. It is very interesting to know that both shared similar struggles in migration and creating space upon their arrival in the United States. Although, after taking this class, why do you think these challenges/struggles were so exclusive to Latinx populations? Do you think they could have been prevented in any way or handled differently? Overall, good post.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job of painting the full picture of how society was imposing hardship on latino groups from every possible angle. One possible improvement- when you mentioned the average mexican wage as being $1.25, it would have been helpful to see wages for different ethnic groups to compare.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I'm learning of Latino/a/x migration it is amazing how much similarities both journeys share. From job opportunities, migration, and housing they all faced similar oppression. Something that really bothered me (not because of your post) is that when you think about it, have things gotten any better? Puerto Ricans and Mexicans still predominantly live in ghetto neighborhoods, they still work for minimum wage, and society is still doing everything in their power to make life impossible to live. We speak on progression constantly but in reality, what progress have we made.
ReplyDeleteThis post was very informative in terms of the hardships and struggles that early immigrants have faced. It was surprising to me to learn that Puerto Rican’s were discriminated against when they first began coming to the U.S. Unfortunately, these hardships are still being faced by immigrants today and the maltreatment of Mexicans still goes on today. No progression has been made in terms of acceptance into society by elites.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how this post was able to document the hardships faced by not one minority group but two. It goes to show that although we come from different backgrounds, we all face similar struggles. I also enjoyed how you explained how Mexicans and Puerto Ricans were able to come together with their people to overcome these hardships and to make a better life for themselves. They did not just sit around and let themselves be oppressed and they showed great unity amongst each other.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the context of this post. I never knew that Mexicans and Puerto Ricans both faced really bad challanges before arrving in the US. As time goes on I feel these problems will be handled.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the context of this post. I never knew that Mexicans and Puerto Ricans both faced really bad challanges before arrving in the US. As time goes on I feel these problems will be handled.
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Both minority groups faced similar discrimination and marginalization, and still do today. It reminds me of the scene from 9500 liberty when a lady took the stand at the meeting and quoted something that sounded very similar to one people in the community had been saying about immigrants in their community. Then, at the end, she said they were talking about the Italians. It really shows that history repeats itself and how easy it is to fear-monger and scapegoat a group of people, especially when they look different than you and speak a different language.
ReplyDeleteHesan
My mother would tell me stories on the hardships she experienced when she first came to the United States. From low paying hard labor jobs to rejection of service in clothing stores. This blog reflects the same racial discrimination experienced by most immigrants face during their time in the United States and it gives us the reader a picture of the reality that will continue for different ethic-racial groups migrating to the United States for a better future.
ReplyDeletebeing that my great grandparents are from mexico my grandma told me about the trips they would make and how different things were then. the scares on jobs and not being able to apply with out papers like their green card. they faced broth discrimination in ways that you could not picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat places in the United States didn't allow Mexicans to use pools until the day before they were cleaned? I figure it would be in the south-west, but which specific counties, towns and cities?
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