Rael, Jose T 1974-01-08

Jose Rael, a member of the Amarillo School Board, discusses the problems of Mexican-Americans, especially in Amarillo, and reveals his attitudes toward Hispanic political and social goals.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Jose T. Rael

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: January 08, 1974

Location: Amarillo, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 55 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Discusses family background, Born: October 26, 1927, in Colorado, Ancestors have inhabited San Luis Valley since 1692, Father has position as Professor of Spanish Literature at Stanford University, Attended Stanford University, Then for eleven years worked for Union Oil Company as an exploration geologist, Left Union Oil to enter insurance business, Not suited for corporation life, Amarillo found economically promising, Lubbock’s economy compared to Amarillo, Talks about growth of insurance business, Distinction between insurance and corporation man developed, Relates experiences in campaigning for position on school board in Amarillo, Became Amarillo’s first elected Catholic and only, Hispanic-American seated on school board, Notes that platform comprised several areas, Enumerates problems of obtaining bilingual education, States feeling poverty could be defeated by education, Defends vocational education, Reveals immediate problems encountered on Amarillo School Board, Details types of evaluation tools used, Reveals reactions to ethnic terms for Mexican-Americans.

Tape 1, Side 2: Thinks Mexican-Americans are learning to use the political system, Mexican-American organizations produce negligible results, Cites individuals who have opened opportunities, Describes De Colores organization, Catholic lay group not restricted to Mexican-Americans, Problems confronted by blacks different from Mexican-American problems, States opinion that Mexican-American prejudice is worse in Texas, Mexican-Americans have staged no protest movements, Comments on AAUP censure against Amarillo College.

Range Dates: 1927-1974

Bulk Dates: 1945-1974

Access Information

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