“And they really—under the umbrella of education, housing, and employment—try to confront a lot of the discrimination and issues that the community has faced in the region.” Historian Emiliano Aguilar, doctoral student Northwestern University Transcript for The Concerned Latins Organization One: The Introduction of Latinx Communities to Northwest Indiana I think one of the most […]
historian
Repatriation Movement
“From 1929 to 1939 the United States and communities across the United States engaged in a repatriation movement of Mexican nationals.” Historian Emiliano Aguilar, doctoral student Northwestern University Transcript for Repatriation Movement So from 1929 to 1939 the United States and communities across the United States engaged in a repatriation movement of Mexican nationals. And […]
Block and Pennsy
“These communities have been erased.” Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, Multicultural Collections Coordinator, Library and Archives Division, Indiana Historical Society. Transcript for Block and Pennsy In the 1920s you have this curious, fabulous mix of people from all different backgrounds – middle class, low class – all coming and mixing in the confines of Block and Pennsy. This […]
Not Newcomers
“The Latinx communities have been instrumental both as workers, as community members, as beacons of cultural institutions.” Historian Emiliano Aguilar, doctoral student Northwestern University Transcript for Not Newcomers I think one of the most important things to know about the Latinx communities in Northwest Indiana is that these are not newcomers. This is not a […]
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
“That duality of culture…” Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, Multicultural Collections Coordinator, Library and Archives Division, Indiana Historical Society. Transcript for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church I feel like the Irish or the Eastern European, like, Slovaks, the Croatian, the Hungarians – they all have their own churches. And so, the Mexicans had their own church, and it […]
Pick Up That Slack
“The tradition of the mutual aid society dates all the way back to the earliest days of the Mexican colonies in Indiana Harbor and Gary, Indiana.” Historian Emiliano Aguilar, doctoral student Northwestern University Transcript for Pick Up That Slack TITLE CARD: In 1956, two groups, the Benito Juarez Society and the Cuauhtemoc Society, merged to […]
Me Coming Home
“…the Mexican-American community in the United States – it wasn’t really taught in high school.” Transcript for Me Coming Home That’s another mentality, too. Growing up in East Chicago, everyone wanted to know where you were. And you always mentioned, you know, “I’m north side. I’m south side. I’m from the Harbor. I’m from Sunnyside. […]
Mexican Colonies
“You have a delightful mix of people starting over fresh and I think the notion was that, ‘We are Mexican. We will always be Mexican first and maybe American second.’” Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, Multicultural Collections Coordinator, Library and Archives Division, Indiana Historical Society. Transcript for Mexican Colonies So, this is my mother’s side of the family. […]
Residential Segregation and Racial Inequality
“…central obstacles for black Americans seeking to make their way in post-war America.” Historian Heath Carter discusses how post-war policies and practices (including the G.I. Bill, redlining, and restrictive covenants) created a Northern Jim Crow. Transcript for Residential Segregation and Racial Inequality So for people to understand 21st century Gary, I think they really have […]