The Bracero Program - Cruz Leon Martinez

Summary

The transcript recounts a personal journey of a man during a tumultuous period, including his experiences working in various labor camps, traveling across different locations, and interacting with fellow workers. He describes his initial hesitation to leave his hometown, the long and challenging work conditions, and the bonds formed with others during these difficult times. The narrative also highlights his love life, family connections, and struggles with contracts and labor expectations. Ultimately, it paints a vivid picture of resilience, hardship, and community in a time of uncertainty.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was very young when they decided to join the military, despite being initially hesitant due to the idea of getting married.
• 😀 Their friends played a crucial role in convincing them to enlist, despite their initial reluctance and concerns about the risks.
• 😀 The group traveled from their hometown to Mexico, following a colonel who recruited them into the military.
• 😀 Upon arrival in Mexico, the group faced challenges, including being left behind at a stadium, but eventually, they gained entry to their intended destination.
• 😀 The speaker remembers traveling in a train with over 200 people, passing through various towns, encountering fear and uncertainty from some locals.
• 😀 The group arrived in Oregon, staying in a school hall as they waited for further instructions. They were provided with basic food, such as 'chícharos' (peas).
• 😀 As the group continued, they were assigned different tasks, including fishing and working in difficult conditions.
• 😀 Their time in Oregon involved living in tough conditions, marked by working long hours and scarce resources.
• 😀 Despite the hardships, the group stuck together, adapting to changing locations and responsibilities as their contract extended.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how they never saw their contract fully, but eventually completed it after a few extensions, with the journey culminating in returning to Mexico.

Q & A

What was the narrator's initial hesitation regarding marriage?

The narrator was hesitant about getting married because they felt too young and were focused on their personal experiences and friendships.

Why did the narrator and their friends leave their hometown?

The narrator and their friends were convinced to leave by their peers, who urged them to join a mission in Mexico despite the difficulties.

What role did the 'colonel' play in their journey?

The colonel, a figure from the narrator's hometown, helped facilitate their travel by securing their entry into a program, likely military-related.

What happened when they arrived in Mexico?

Upon arriving in Mexico, the group was separated, and the narrator faced challenges like being stuck outside the stadium while others went in.

How long did it take for the narrator and their group to travel to Oregon?

It took the narrator and their group several days to reach Oregon, where they eventually arrived on May 16, 1943.

What was their experience like in Oregon?

In Oregon, they were placed in a small town and housed in a school building. They faced harsh working conditions and shared food like 'chícharo' (peas).

What kind of work did they do while in Oregon?

The group worked in agriculture, dealing with crops such as peas and beans, with little rest or change in their duties, enduring difficult conditions.

What was the significance of the contract mentioned by the narrator?

The contract was a formal agreement for the work they were doing, which initially caused tension as the narrator’s contract was not renewed immediately, unlike others.

What happened when the contract ended?

When the contract ended, the narrator was finally able to return to Mexico in December, and they were involved in a local celebration before getting another job offer in March.

What challenges did the narrator face during their work in Colorado?

In Colorado, the narrator faced harsh living conditions, including minimal shelter and basic resources. They lived in a makeshift environment near a canal and struggled with the demanding work.