Mexicanos in Oregon: Their Stories, Their Lives

This important volume sheds new light on the stories and lives of mexicanos in Oregon: why migrants come to Oregon fields, construction sites, and warehouses; what their experiences are when they settle here; and how they adapt to life in the United States. Building on the work of earlier scholars and providing new and original research, Gonzales-Berry and Mendoza draw from the disciplines of history, anthropology, sociology, and gender and cultural studies to present a comprehensive view of the experiences of the Mexican-origin population in Oregon. The number of Latinos residing in Oregon has increased dramatically in the last two decades, leading to increased diversity across the state, particularly visible in the public school system and in agricultural and service occupations. This, however, is not a new phenomenon. There has been a settled Mexican-origin population in Oregon since the mid-nineteenth century. Mexicanos in Oregon explores this history of migration and settlement of mexicanos, highlighting their sustained practices of community building, their struggles for integration, and their contributions to the economic and cultural life of the state. Using archival records, primary and secondary scholarly works, demographic statistics, and personal testimonies, the authors create a picture of the economic, political, social, and cultural conditions that have shaped the lives of mexicanos. The blend of scholarly research and individual stories reflect the very human dimension and complex forces that make up the whole story of Mexican migration and settlement in Oregon. It is an essential resource for immigration scholars, historians, students, and for all Oregonians.

In the past twenty years the Mexican population of Oregon has grown dramatically. Gonzales-Berry (ethnic studies, Oregon State University) and Mendoza, the executive director of Centro Latino Americano, give a history of Mexicans in Oregon starting in 1850. They explain the national forces that encouraged Mexican men to come work in the Northwest and then forced them to return home. Their sources for the lives of these immigrants include archived newspapers, government documents and oral histories. These relate a variety of experiences, including deep prejudice and occasional welcomes. The plight of non-Spanish speaking indigenous Mexicans is mentioned as a group that is doubly marginalized. The authors argue that with the recent arrival of more women, families are more likely to settle permanently. A common thread in the testimonies is family unity and community support. They conclude with suggestions for civic action to integrate this group into the mainstream Oregon community. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)