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Chicano/a Labor History in Arizona
Season 1, Ep. 4
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The Chicano/a community has played critical roles in the development of the state of Arizona. This state has historically been a place where migrants from Mexico and other parts of the world have traveled looking for work. The state is rich in mining and agricultural opportunities. American interest in these resources and interest in the expansion of the country transformed Arizona from a Mexican territory into a U.S. state in 1912. Quite often, it has been members from the Chicano/a community that have filled the needs in these industries for cheap labor.
Small towns across the state became populated with families looking for more opportunities in the early 1900s, but many faced unfair wages and discrimination in their industries. They eventually became tired of the inequalities and started unions for fair wages and hours. The children of these workers also confronted language and financial struggles to become educated and support their parents.
Guests Dr. Christine Marin, historian, archivist, and founder of the Chicano/a Research Collection at ASU Library, and Dr. Pete Dimas, a historian and educator, are children of Mexican migrants who worked tirelessly for their family’s success. Both pursued degrees in history to preserve the history of families like theirs and ensure Chicano/a labor history is not erased from Arizona’s memory. They emphasize the importance of historical education and never giving up on one's dreams because they changed their life. Those two things can be the start of change and the first steps toward ending discrimination.
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