The Mendez vs. Westminster (1947) and Aspira vs. NYC Board of Education (1974)
I. What were the legal arguments presented to bring about the equal education for Latinos in USA?
The Mendez v. Westminster (1947) (Seven years before Brown vs. Board of Education)
Background: 1930’s 80% of public school students were Mexican;
Gonzalo Mendez was six when he came to California from Mexico. His future wife from Puerto Rico. They worked hard and made a family where they opened a restaurant in Santa Ana, California. Later they moved to operate a farm at Westminster from a Japanese farm owner. They lived close to the white school in Westminster and their children ( Sylvia, Gonzalo and Geronimo) were denied enrollment in the school and were told that they had to attend Mexican schools.
Did not argue that Mexican segregated schools were inferior, but that segregation itself was unconstitutional ;
First case to hold
Sample Solution