The American GI Forum: In Pursuit of the Dream, 1948-1983

by Henry A.J. Ramos

This meticulously written book traces the stormy history of one of U.S. Hispanics' most important but least know civil-rights groups -- the American G.I. Forum -- from its controversial inception through the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Its extensive documentation and generous selection of photographs will make this landmark volume a valued addition to any library.

Genres: History

185 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Cynda welcomes prayers for health. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American GI Forum first organized in Corpus Christi post WWII when Mexican-American veterans, their spouses, and their children to seek redress of social issues. The returning veterans had served honorably., particularly in the Pacific Theater without one single desertion. While legally, all hispanics (including Mexican-Americans) were classified as white, they were treated as a "a group apart". The Mexican-American population had its own cemeteries and schools and businesses/ As we already know "separate but equal" does not work. To be set apart from the mainstream means to be less than by simply being set apart. In addition, things were never really "equal". Mexican-Americans and all lnown hispanics as late as my mother's generation (born 1940) were encouraged to pursue technical skills and domestic skills/ Young men were being trained to work with their hands while young women were taught to be good housekeepers/maids. The further south in Texas and the further west in the country, the working class workers were known hispanics, commonly called "Mexicans", foreigners. After WWII the perceived foriegners stood up for their rights as equal citizens. The GI Forum leadership consisted of Dr Hector Garcia and his sister Dr Clotilde Garcia and several lawyers and other professionals. Dr Hector Garcia was asked why he fought for Mexican-AMerican rights when he was a white Spanish manwho had an education, had a prestigious position in the (then) small city/ Dr Hector took care of patients who could not pay, heard their stories of woe, and knew he could do something for the veterans and their families. As a result of the work done, the organization grew mostly in Southwestern US where the Olld Spanish missions and settlements were. The GI Forum effectively ended many towns and cities from having separate cemeteries, schools. The Forum members consisted of families which allowed a more family-orientated and acceptable face to the organization. The Forum organized fundraisers for college funds so that more veterans and their families could join the emergent hispanic middle class. Dr Hector Garcia contacted the right people to help GI gets their funds for college and first home loans, rights often ignored by officials in various federal offices. The Forum did decline in the 1980s in large part because new leadersship did not arise from the Forum. This book details the rise and fall of a group as productive as the NAACP, just for fewer years.

[Joe Montemayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of the racist behavior that Latino Veteran face after WWII and the action they took to fight back here in Texas. The action cause a change in national policy and can see be seen today.
Great Read.