Mexican Americans

Mexicans immigrated to the United States back in the 1800’s (Stanford, 2006). During 1848 the United States took over a part of Mexico which is now the Southwest (Stanford, 2006). Mexicans living in these areas were Mexican citizens before the acquisition. The United States even went into agreements with Mexico to have Mexicans work in the United States. Mexicans were treated with cruelty, while working the agriculture fields for years. The United States made several agreements with Mexico to have the Mexicans come work in the United States while American soldiers were fighting in the world wars. The labor shortage that the United States went through was reason enough to have Mexicans migrate to the United States as laborers. The United States found there was a need to have Mexicans come fill in for the labor shortage but they were no longer needed during the depression of the United States. Not only Mexicans were sent back to Mexico even the Mexican Americans were sent back because they were no longer needed (Stanford, 2006). This ethnic group has suffered from prejudice and from several discriminations such as dual labor market, redlining, affirmative action and reverse discrimination.

Mexicans suffered from the dual labor market, because even though employment was offered to Mexicans during the shortage of labor that the United States was going through no safety provided to the workers. No insurance was available for the workers. The United States was prejudice towards Mexicans because as soon as there was no need for their labor services they were sent back to their country. Everyone who was brought to the United States to work including the Mexican Americans who were citizens of the United States, were sent back to Mexico. Why were the first colonists not sent back too? Mexicans used to live in what is now the Southwest before it became part of the United States. Not only were they robbed from their land but no benefits were given to them while assisting the United States with their shortage.

Have you ever heard the following saying? “Everything is BIG in Texas.” Texas is the largest state in the United States. The majority of residents in Texas are Mexicans. Mexican Americans are not the minority in the state anymore. Discrimination occurs in many hidden ways. We have come a long way and diversity is practiced throughout the work place. It will continue as long as society continues to compare ethnic groups. Yes we are all different, and we should be proud of who we are, but aren’t we all human? Redlining used to happen and is still happening. "Mexicans will not be able to purchase their own house much less, be the owner of a new vehicle." These types of comments are patterns of discrimination that Mexican Americans have faced at one time or another.

The affirmative action