Hernandez’s perspectives are from different groups of people involved in the borderlands during the decades before and after the Mexico-American border formation. These groups included the Mexicans who lived on the land that became U.S. territory, the Euro Americans who were settling in these territories, and the Mexican government for the most part. The activities and events of these times were chaotic and unfortunate for many people. This was a time where racism and greed were abundant. The people who suffered were the diasporic people who were caught in the middle living on the land that became part of the U.S. These people were abused by those on both sides of the border. By the time Mexicans were a minority in Texas they were told to leave. The Euro American people claimed the Mexicans were dangerous and could not be trusted. The Mexicans were accused of collusion with African slaves, disloyalty to the U.S., and perceived as bandits. The Americans also wanted to rid themselves of competition for land and jobs from the Mexicans. They were told that they should leave for their own safety by the American military. The military promised that they would be protected and assisted as they repatriated with Mexico. Those that chose not to go had their towns destroyed and burned.
The Mexican government was worried that the United States would try to take more Mexican territory, so they made policy to attract the Mexicans who were now on the American side of the border to repatriate to the Mexican side. Mexico wanted to populate along the border in order to protect from American encroachment and to lessen the Indian raids that still occurred. They made promises to these people that they would own land and be assisted by the government. The problem was that the promises were not kept. Possibly because the government did not have the means or wasn’t as interested in the repatriated people’s needs. Some Mexicans North of the border were unsure where they would be better off. Most did not repatriate. In the case of the people who moved from La Mesilla N.M. to La Ascension, Mexico, the experience was very bad. They struggled to get the government to fulfill the promise of land ownership. They had trouble with access to water, and they were scammed by the land distribution administrator and the municipal president. The result of the of colonists being cheated on their land ownership was a riot in which the municipal president was brutally tortured and killed by the people of La Ascension. This repatriate community was supposed to be the model for others. Though the Mexican government seemed to want this program to work (not because they cared about the people) they did not give it the support it needed. The government officials sent to finally assist these people after years of requests became corrupt.
As if the Mexicans in the borderlands didn’t have enough bad treatment, they were paid lower wages than the American workers in jobs like mining. This occurred on both sides of the border. This situation lead to resentment, strikes, and loss of lives. Those Mexicans who remained in the territories North of the border would become loathed by many from Mexico. They were seen as traitors for not repatriating back to the country.
What is so disturbing is how this group of people, who were just trying to live where they settled were degraded, taken advantage of, and not cared about by either country. Its too bad that this part of history is not included in social studies in school. There is no justification for the mistreatment of these people by anyone. Sadly, racism, greed, and corruption were a big part of this history. No wonder difficulties between these nations continue to exist.
Joseph's Blog 