Mexican Americans are still fighting for land they were promised generations ago | Nightline

Summary

This video explores the historical injustices faced by Mexican Americans, particularly land grant communities, after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. It details the U.S.'s westward expansion, the war with Mexico, and the subsequent seizure of Mexican land. The treaty, which was meant to protect the rights of Mexican nationals, was altered by the U.S. Senate, leading to the loss of land and cultural identity. The video features interviews with descendants of these communities, who discuss their ongoing struggle for justice and the importance of preserving their heritage.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 The current U.S.-Mexico border was established 172 years ago, following a war between the United States and Mexico.
• 🗺️ Before the war, the southwestern United States was part of Mexico, and many Mexican nationals lived in the region.
• 📜 The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war and promised citizenship and land rights to Mexicans living in the newly acquired territories.
• ❌ However, when the treaty was sent to Congress, the Senate removed the clauses protecting Mexican land claims, leading to long-term disenfranchisement.
• 🏔️ Many families, like those in Tomé, New Mexico, lost significant amounts of land due to changes in the treaty, reducing their holdings from over 100,000 acres to just 400 acres.
• 📜 The loss of land and rights deeply affected Mexican-American communities, leading to a long history of poverty, educational disparities, and loss of cultural identity.
• 🤝 Despite the challenges, efforts continue to reclaim lost land and rights, with some communities seeking reparations and official recognition of traditional land uses.
• ✊ The Chicano movement and figures like Reyes Lopez Tijerina fought for land rights and recognition, drawing attention to historical injustices.
• 🏛️ Activists are pushing for new legislation to ensure land grant communities have access to traditional land uses and to address historical grievances.
• 💪 The fight for justice continues, with families and communities striving to preserve their heritage, regain lost lands, and ensure future generations remember their history.

Q & A

What significant event happened 172 years ago that changed the southwestern region's status?

172 years ago, the southwestern region, which is now considered part of the U.S., was actually the northernmost part of Mexico. This region wasn't part of the U.S. at all.

Why did the U.S. provoke a war with Mexico?

The U.S. provoked a war with Mexico because many presidents believed it was America's destiny to reach the land, pushing westward to seize the land.

What was the outcome of the war between the U.S. and Mexico?

After a long and bloody battle, the U.S. occupied much of Mexico, and the two countries decided to work up an agreement, with Mexico ceding half their country to the United States.

What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and what was its original intent?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was an agreement that gave around a hundred thousand Mexican nationals living in the ceded territories U.S. citizenship if they decided to stay. More importantly, it protected the rights of any Mexican whose land was now part of the U.S.

Why was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo significant for Mexican Americans?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was significant for Mexican Americans because it was meant to protect their land claims and rights when their territories became part of the U.S. However, when the treaty was sent to Congress, the Senate removed the part that protected these land claims.

How did the removal of land claims protection from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo affect Mexican Americans?

The removal of land claims protection from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo led to the loss of land and rights for Mexican Americans, forever changing the fate of generations to come.

What is the significance of El Cerro de Tomat in the context of the script?

El Cerro de Tomat, established in 1739 in Tamann, New Mexico, is significant because it represents the original boundary of a land grant that has been reduced in size over the years, symbolizing the historical land disputes faced by Mexican American communities.

What does the land grant room represent for the community mentioned in the script?

The land grant room represents the historical and cultural heritage of the community, housing documents and a patent signed by Ulysses Grant, which was granted after the war with Mexico to honor their land grant.

Why is the land so important to the people mentioned in the script?

The land is important to the people mentioned in the script because it is tied to their identity, history, and culture. It represents their connection to their ancestors and their way of life.

What is the connection between the land grants and the Chicano movement mentioned in the script?

The connection between the land grants and the Chicano movement is that the movement aimed to reclaim the indigenous heritage and original belongings to the territories, with a significant part of the movement focusing on honoring the land grants as per the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

What are the current efforts to address the historical injustices faced by land grant communities?

Current efforts include legislation to create a federal definition of traditional uses on federal lands for land-grant communities, requiring federal agencies to work with and consult these communities. There are also dreams of reparation, such as monetary compensation for the hardships endured and the possibility of buying back land.