East Los Angeles: History of a Barrio - Softcover

Romo, Richardo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0292720416 ISBN 13: 9780292720411

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 1983

Synopsis

This is the story of the largest Mexican-American community in the United States, the city within a city known as "East Los Angeles." How did this barrio of over one million men and women—occupying an area greater than Manhattan or Washington D.C.—come to be?

Although promoted early in this century as a workers' paradise, Los Angeles fared poorly in attracting European immigrants and American blue-collar workers. Wages were low, and these workers were understandably reluctant to come to a city which was also troubled by labor strife. Mexicans made up the difference, arriving in the city in massive numbers.

Who these Mexicans were and the conditions that caused them to leave their own country are revealed in East Los Angeles. The author examines how they adjusted to life in one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, how they fared in this country's labor market, and the problems of segregation and prejudice they confronted.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Although promoted early in this century as a workers' paradise, Los Angeles fared poorly in attracting European immigrant and American bluecollar workers.

Review

"Successfully debunks a number of misconceptions about the Mexicano experience in the United States. . . . The story of the East Los Angeles barrio is not a pleasant one, although it does contain glimpses of a stubborn and resilient people determined to fight for their way of life." (Social Science Quarterly)

"Ricardo Romo has written a study of urban history from the bottom up.... Romo has told well the story of Mexicans in Los Angeles and their great contributions to southern California's cultural and economic development in the early twentieth century. " (American Historical Review)

". . . incisive and original . . . a major contribution to urban history and the history of the Mexican-American people." (Rodolfo Acuna)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 1983
• ISBN 10: 0292720416
• ISBN 13: 9780292720411
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 232