Ethnicity in the Sunbelt facts for kids
Ethnicity in the Sunbelt: A History of Mexican Americans in Houston is a book from 1989. It was written by Arnoldo De León and published by the Mexican American Studies Program at the University of Houston.
The book explores how Mexican-American culture grew and changed in Houston, Texas. It covers the entire history of this group, but it focuses mostly on the 1900s. The book also talks about how the identity of Mexican-Americans changed over time.
Understanding Mexican-American Identity
The author, Arnoldo De León, explained that groups like LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and middle-class Mexican-Americans in the 1930s and 1940s wanted to keep their Mexican heritage. At the same time, they also wanted to become part of American society.
Joseph A. Rodriguez, a professor from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, said that this book, along with others, showed that Mexican-Americans often have two cultures. They keep their Mexican traditions while also adopting American ways. This idea helped to balance some views from the 1960s that were against blending cultures.
Exploring Culture and the American Dream
Mauricio Mazon from the University of Southern California (USC) noted that the book shows how Mexican-Americans actively worked towards achieving the "American dream." This included seeking economic and political chances. He also said the book shows how the spirit of lo mexicano (meaning "the Mexican way" or Mexican culture) stayed strong as an important symbol.
Richard A. Garcia of Santa Monica College wrote that the book argues that changes in American society and changes in the Mexican-American community are closely connected. One did not happen without affecting the other.
Mario T. García from Yale University praised De León's work. He said that De León, unlike some other historians, gave readers a better understanding of how Mexican people changed over time in a specific city like Houston.
About the Book's Creation
Arnoldo De León worked as a visiting scholar at the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Houston. He researched this book from 1986 to 1987. The center started a special program for visiting scholars to publish their research, and this book was the very first one published through that program.
A new edition of the book was released in 2001. It was published by the UH Mexican-American Studies Center and Texas A&M University Press. This new edition included updated historical information and research.
