THE UNKNOWN STORIES OF OUR LATINO'S
The following is a summary & analysis of Harvard Civil
Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review article, “Law of the Noose: A History
of Latino Lynching” by Richard Delgado.
SUMMARY
Delgado attempts to shed light on a largely unknown history of
Latinos, particularly Mexican-Americans in the Southwest U.S., who were
lynched between the years of 1846 and 1925. This is roughly the same
time that many Blacks were lynched in the U.S., as well. While many know
of the ominous and horrific fate that Blacks and African-Americans saw
in the U.S., few know of the lynchings that Latinos were met with.
Delgado challenges scholars and institutions by trying to unveil the
truth on this shameful past, while exploring the history of these
lynchings and explaining that “English-only” movements are a present-day
form of lynchings.
Although research on Latino lynchings is relatively new, circa
2006-2009, lynchings have a deep rooted history. Such acts can be
described as mob violence where person(s) are murdered/hanged for an
alleged offense usually without a trial. Through reviewing of
anthropological research, storytelling, and other internal &
external interactions, there is believed to have been roughly 600
lynchings of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans beginning with the aftermath
of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (this document essentially
ended the Mexican-American war, where Mexico surrendered half of its
land to the U.S.). This grim fate of Blacks & Mexicans in the U.S.
was intertwined; both groups were lynched by Anglos for reasons such as
“acting uppity,” taking jobs away from Anglos, making advances toward
Anglo women, cheating at cards, practicing “Witchcraft,” and refusing to
leave land that Whites coveted. Additionally, Mexicans were lynched for
acting “too Mexican;” for example, if Mexicans were speaking Spanish
too loudly or showcasing aspects of their culture too defiantly, they
were lynched. Mexican women may also been lynched if they resisted the
sexual advances of Anglo men. Many of these lynchings occurred with
active participation of law enforcement. In fact the article reiterates
that the Texas Rangers had a special animus towards persons of Mexican
descent. Considering that Mexicans had little to no political power or
social standing in a “new nation,” they had no recourse from such
corrupt organizations. Popular opinion was to eradicate the Southwest of
Mexicans.
Many of these lynchings were treated as a public spectacle; Anglos
celebrated each of these killings as if the acts were in accordance with
community wishes, re-solidifying society and reinforcing civic virtue.
Ringleaders of such lynchings often mutilated bodies of Mexicans, by
shooting the bodies after individuals were already dead, cutting off
body parts, then leaving the remains on display perhaps in hung trees or
in burning flames.
These lynchings took place in the Southwest U.S., in present-day
Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada, amongst
other states. The killings were carried out by vigilantes or other
masked-men, as a form of “street justice.” These killings became so bad
that the Mexican government lodged official complaints to the U.S.
counsel in Mexico. Given that this region of the U.S. was at one time
Mexican land, and it was shared with Indian/Indios, Mexicans, and
Anglos, protests against the lynchings emerged. As legend has it,
Joaquin Murrieta took matters into his own hands by murdering the Anglos
responsible for the death of mythical figures Juan Cortina and Gregorio
Cortes. Such acts were short-lived and perpetuated the conflict between
Mexicans and Anglos.
Delgado goes on to cite that only some U.S. historians have written
about these Latino lynchings and have pointed out that they occurred due
to racial prejudice, protection of turf, and Yankee nationalism left
over from the Mexican-American War. However, it has been concluded that
such lynchings are a relatively unknown history due to a global pattern
of shaping discourse as to avoid embarrassment of the dominant group.
Those in power often have the ability to edit official records.
Further exploration reveals that these lynchings were not only edited
& minimized outright, but were also ignored or misrepresented due
to primary accounts in community newspapers being written in Spanish.
Since very few mainstream historians read Spanish or consulted with
these records, they were left to flounder. Also, many Latinos knew of
these lynchings; their accounts were maintained, shared, and solidified
as Mexican lore through ritualistically songs (corridos, actos, and
cantares). Many oral cultures have equivalences of such interpretations.
Today, Latino scholars are not surprised by history’s ignoring of such
events; postcolonial theory describes how colonial societies almost
always circulate accounts of their invasions that flatter and depicts
them as the bearers of justice, science, and humanism. Conversely, the
natives were depicted as primitive, bestial, and unintelligent.
Subsequently, colonialists must civilize the natives, use the land &
its resources in a better fashion, and enact a higher form of justice.
The “official history” is written by the conquerors, thus showing them
in the best possible light.
Delgado questions whether such remnants of Latino lynchings may still
be present in society today. This can best be exemplified through
movements to make English the official language of the U.S., forcing
immigrants to assimilate to the dominant Anglo culture. Such actions can
be illustrated in movements to end bilingual school opportunities and
enforce English-only speaking at jobs, businesses, etc. Postcolonial
scholars argue that such movements facilitate children to reject their
own culture, acquire English, and forget their native language. These
actions have far dire [documentable] consequence, like social distress,
depression, and crime. As such, Delgado ventures to say that these
actions are an implicit form of lynching.
Delgado ends the piece by saying that hidden histories of aggression,
unprovoked war, lynchings, and segregation are
corroborated/proliferated today by the mass media and entertainment
industry. These groups, along with other scholars, have the opportunity
to redress this history and reject further practices against Latinos.
Otherwise, marginalized groups find themselves in a position where they
are alienated from their family/identity/culture, co-opted, and unable
to resist further oppression.
ANALYSIS
Such history is imperative to the framework of Americana and for
acknowledgement purposes, not only because it is a matter of fact, but
because this history is relevant to the ancestors of the land. History
has always been exploited to benefit those who are in power, so to
maintain their structures. However, today, I would argue that current
powerbrokers would gain more respect & credibility by being honest
with themselves and the actual history. Continuing to deny or ignore the
history does an injustice to all. Current Chicanos, Mexican-Americans,
and Americans alike would most benefit from this restoration for a few
reasons.
First, a corrected version of history helps the people better
understand themselves. Americans, Mexicans, the fusion of the two, in
addition to people of the world, would recognize a better sense of their
true identity & culture. The exploration of such history can
perhaps allow for analysis of current rates of depression,
crime/incarceration, and socioeconomic status(es). If we, the people,
want to understand ourselves, we need to know the truth.
Secondly, if we want to understand why things are the way they are
today, we can look to history. This shameful past can assist us in the
interpretation of Mexican/American relations. Additionally, I believe
that this understanding will help both groups reach a common ground with
current relations. Since the year 2000 alone, the FBI has reported over
2,500 hate crimes against Latinos based on race and ethnicity. The U.S.
is marred with a nasty & stalled immigration battle that is masked
for hatred against Mexicans. In 2014, there is a continued, on-going
crisis at the Southwest border affecting many children and families.
With the history of these lynchings, it is now time for the “greatest
country in the world” to make the wrong things right.
Again, we know that history can repeat itself, but only if we let it.
Thus, the entire world needs to be educated on the true history of
these lynchings. The more we are educated on such atrocities, the less
likely we will allow them to happen again. Attacking the access of this
knowledge is the third reason to explore this history. Ignoring the
disastrous past does not make the history go away. With the knowledge of
the truth, the Latino people can empower themselves to conquer
stereotypes and achieve further greatness. Most Chicano/Latino studies
programs in schools allow students to learn about their past while
achieving higher marks. But in states like Arizona, educational
officials have banned Chicano/Latino Studies in schools, and as a result
have not allowed students to know the true history of the land they
currently inhabit. This is not only a further atrocity, but it reaffirms
Delgado’s point that current lynchings, lynchings of the mind, are
happening today. This is blatant lying and it is unacceptable; when we
lie to our government, we go to prison. When our government lies to us,
it’s no big deal.
Furthermore, for those who are tired of people of color in the U.S.
raising points of contention about racial issues in this country, you
now see the justification. This is why we won’t be quiet about racism,
racial prejudice, discrimination, etc. This is why we’ll march in the
streets for the Trayvonn Martin’s, reject the school to prison pipeline,
and continue to spread awareness until administrative action is taken
on a grand scale. Today’s generation is a bi-product and reflection of
this history; not only are these “lynchings” continuing to happen, but
the masterplan has worked. In order to achieve our full capabilities, we
need to reject a fragmented history and seek a personal revolution,
which starts with ourselves. And we can achieve this revolution through
education & knowledge.
Be empowered.
