Process Paper
When I was looking for an influential leader who has shaped America with
their legacy, I did not automatically have someone in mind. I knew I wanted to learn
about someone whose legacy impacts me personally whether culturally,
emotionally, or politically. Therefore, I decided to choose a Latino leader who
isn't often mentioned in history books but who has had a tremendous impact
on my education. Thus, I found the perfect candidate, Gonzalo Mendez.
Coming from the same Mexican- American heritage and culture as Gonzalo Mendez and knowing that his impact in history has compelled me to understand his reasons and motives for overcoming and achieving the obstacles that many faced during the civil rights movement era. However, even though he played such a crucial role in our education my research was the first time my classmates and I have heard of him. Therefore, I felt obligated to uncover his struggle in the fight for equality.
I had access to the Glendale and Los Angeles public libraries' books, databases, and articles. I also had to request books from other cities to be sent to my local library including Philip Strum's book on Mendez v. Westminster. Furthermore, I received access to the resources offered at Occidental College where I got most of my sources through their databases. I spent a weekend on their campus researching testimonies given at the case and the responses from experts who analyzed and compared it to Brown v. Board.
I contacted an archivist, Gwen Granados, from the National Archives at Riverside who sent me the link to the digitized copy of the court case in verbatim. This served as a very crucial primary source because it provides testimony from Mendez who opposed the segregation of Mexican- American students in education and from the superintendents who tried to justify their reasons for segregation. Most importantly, I had the honor to interview his daughter Sylvia Mendez through the phone. She shared with me her thoughts and feelings of her father’s leadership and how his actions and the court case continue to impact her life today. Since these sources of information are so valuable I decided to make a website in order to provide links to important testimonies and audio from the interview.
My project relates to the National History Day theme because Gonzalo Mendez is the ultimate image of a leader. He motivated communities and organizations to join his cause, he overcame the obstacles of civil injustices performed against his family, and he turned his vision into action by leading the civil case against the Westminster Court District. His legacy is seen in all the students of different cultures, races, and religions who gather under the roof of any educational institution and don't have to worry about their rights to equal education from being violated. This is why Gonzalo Mendez should be recognized as an influential leader with an enduring legacy of achievement.
Coming from the same Mexican- American heritage and culture as Gonzalo Mendez and knowing that his impact in history has compelled me to understand his reasons and motives for overcoming and achieving the obstacles that many faced during the civil rights movement era. However, even though he played such a crucial role in our education my research was the first time my classmates and I have heard of him. Therefore, I felt obligated to uncover his struggle in the fight for equality.
I had access to the Glendale and Los Angeles public libraries' books, databases, and articles. I also had to request books from other cities to be sent to my local library including Philip Strum's book on Mendez v. Westminster. Furthermore, I received access to the resources offered at Occidental College where I got most of my sources through their databases. I spent a weekend on their campus researching testimonies given at the case and the responses from experts who analyzed and compared it to Brown v. Board.
I contacted an archivist, Gwen Granados, from the National Archives at Riverside who sent me the link to the digitized copy of the court case in verbatim. This served as a very crucial primary source because it provides testimony from Mendez who opposed the segregation of Mexican- American students in education and from the superintendents who tried to justify their reasons for segregation. Most importantly, I had the honor to interview his daughter Sylvia Mendez through the phone. She shared with me her thoughts and feelings of her father’s leadership and how his actions and the court case continue to impact her life today. Since these sources of information are so valuable I decided to make a website in order to provide links to important testimonies and audio from the interview.
My project relates to the National History Day theme because Gonzalo Mendez is the ultimate image of a leader. He motivated communities and organizations to join his cause, he overcame the obstacles of civil injustices performed against his family, and he turned his vision into action by leading the civil case against the Westminster Court District. His legacy is seen in all the students of different cultures, races, and religions who gather under the roof of any educational institution and don't have to worry about their rights to equal education from being violated. This is why Gonzalo Mendez should be recognized as an influential leader with an enduring legacy of achievement.