Lopez, Frederico 1999-08-05

Frederico Lopez, a resident of Slaton, Texas, discusses his life as a minority and the changes that have occurred since he migrated from Mexico in 1908. He also talks about the different job opportunities that he has had throughout his life.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Frederico Lopez

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: August 05, 1999

Location: Slaton, Texas

Interviewer: Daniel U. Sanchez

Length: 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1: Lopez, Frederico, b. 1902, Busces, Mexico, parents: ranchers, Childhood, crossed the Rio Grande in 1908, worked in yards, different lifestyle rough, Education (in Mexico), education was optional, different social classes, no English, Work, labor, picked cotton in fields, Amarillo, Texas, Brownfield, Texas, encouraged to learn English to communicate with employers, ranches, truck loads full of migrants needing work, Migrating, many Mexicans crossed looking for work, Sweetwater, Texas, Amarillo, Texas, wages differed depending on where they worked, Poor Neighborhoods, most were Mexicans, Gregorio (a poor neighborhood consisting of Mexicans), Discrimination – 1930’s, less discrimination in Slaton, Texas, negative opinion of Lubbock, Texas, Restaurants, Mexicans with lighter skin were treated better, Work (again), mechanic, work was limited for Mexicans, outdoor work, Work (again), Santa Fe Railroad, Slaton, Texas, many Mexicans, Church, people donated funds to build the first church in Slaton, Texas, Juan Rivera, Education in Slaton, Texas – 1940’s & 1950’s, desegregation, Mexicans were able to attend school, City Work, Slaton, Texas, general jobs (water, road work, etc.), worked mainly with Anglos, employed for ten years.

Range Dates: 1902 - 1999

Bulk Dates: 1908 - 1980

Access Information

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