In Reply to Mr. McKnight's Article

By Richard C. Davis

I take issue with Mr. Joe McKnight's whole article in the Lincoln Faculty Forum, dated February 5, 1968, regarding the Mexican-American problem. His article was of the "divide and conquer" technique, divide America into small nationalistic minority groups, and see which ones can get the most from the city, state and federal governments. If there is civil disobedience, picketing, etc. among the Mexican-Americans, it is only because they see, what they think is progress, their Negro brothers have made in publicity, grants, money, and concern, and they don't want to be left out.

Jews, Germans, Irish, Chinese, Japanese and Italians and many others have "melted" in the "melting pot" and have contributed to American Culture, without asking for special privileges, and did not have to "reject their father's culture, hetitage, and values as being inferior."

MOST OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICANS HAVE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD. BEFORE THE SPANISH CAME, HE WAS AN INDIAN GRUBBING IN THE SOIL, AND AFTER THE SPANIARDS CAME, HE WAS A SLAVE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT AMERICA MUST BE A VERY DESIRABLE PLACE, WITNESS THE NUMBER OF "WEBACKS" AND MIGRANTS BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL FROM MEXICO.

Yes I agree that he sees himself as a "passive object." And therein lies the whole problem as well as the answer. When it comes to going to school-FREE and the best in the world-he is passive. ABSENTEEISM IS HIS CULTURE, HIS WAY OF LIFE-ALWAYS MAÑANA, MAYBE HE WILL GET AN EDUCATION-MAÑANA, WHEN IT COMES TO REPAIRING HIS HOME, CONTROLLIN CHILD BIRTH, PLANNING FOR TOMORROW, HE IS PASSIVE. Those that have melted into the melting pot have broken away from this kind of culture and have become lawyers, teachers, and skilled employees. BUT FIRST, HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO THROW OFF HIS PASSIVENESS AND WANT TO GE AHEAD-ON HIS OWN.

I TAKE ISSUE WITH ALL FIVE OF MR. McKNIGHT'S SUGGESTED REFORMS, MEXICAN HISTORY IS TAUGHT, WHAT THERE IS OF IT, FROM THE INDIANS, SPANIARDS; TO PANCHO VILLA AND THE REST, in our California schools. Should we teach Jewish history to the Jews, Chinese to the Chinese, Irish history to the Irish? This is America. It seems to me that American history should suffice. If anyone is interested in these other histories, he will make an effort to learn them. Would the evening school classed at Lincoln have more students if Mexican history was taught? And as for educating Eastside teachers to the history, traditions, and customs of Mexico, I wonder if it is wise to compete with our neighboring country?

I taught my children one thing. "You can have anything in this world that you want, if you want it bad enought." That holds true for any American Citizen. It all starts with EDUCATION, and the most important thing of all is to GO to school EVERY day to obtain it, on the Eastside, the school are there, the teachers are there, but students are taking the day or week off.

¡ U R G E N T E !

LA CARTA IMPRESA AL REVERSO ES UN INSULTO AL HONOR DE TODOS LOS

MEXICO-AMERICANOS.

ES ESTRITA POR UN MAESTRO DE LA ESCUELA LINCOLN PARA EXPLICAR QUE NUESTROS HIJOS NO RECIBEN UNA BUENA EDUCACION PORQUE

SON DE SANGRE MEXICANA

EL CONSEJO DE PADRES DE LINCOLN HA DEDIDO…

AL DIRECTOR . . . .SR. ENGLES

AL SUPERINTENDENTE DE DISTRITO. . . .SR. STENGEL

AL SUPERINTENDENTE DE SECUNDARIAS. . . .SR. KELLY

QUE ACOMODEN AL MAESTRO MENCIONADO EN UNA ESCUELA QUE NO

TENGA NIÑOS MEXICANOS YA QUE TIENE TAN BAJA OPINION

DE NOSOTROS.

Hasta ahora la administracíon se ha negad a tomar accíon. Su contestacíon a nuestra

peticíon es que no ven nada malo en lo que el Maestro dice para cambiarlo.

Como padres Mexicanos les pedimos que vengan a DEMOSTRAR su sentir en contra de una

actitud de ignorancia, desprecio y prejuicio hacia nuestro honor y dignidad . . . . .

MIERCOLES 22 DE MAYO DE 1968 - 11:00 A.M. A 1:00P.M.

Frente a la Escuela Lincoln

Lincoln High School Advisory Council---Mrs. Eva Romero, Chairman

Lincoln Heights Coordinating Council y

Lincoln Heights Parents Groups---Mr. Ben Carmona, Chairman

U R G E N T !

THE LETTER PRINTED ON THE OTHER SIDE IS AN INSULT TO

THE HONOR OF ALL MEXICAN-AMERICANS.

IT IS WRITTEN BY A TEACHER OF LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL TO EXPLAIN THAT

OUR CHILDREN DO NOT GET EDUCATED BECAUSE THEY ARE OF

MEXICAN BLOOD

THE LINCOLN HEIGHTS ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS ASKED

THE PRINCIPAL. . . .MR. ENGELS

THE AREA SUPERINTENDENT. . . .MR. STENGEL

THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT. . . .MR. KELLY

THAT THEY FIND ANOTHER SCHOOL FOR THEIR TEACHER. . . .THAT DOES

NOT HAVE MEXICAN CHILDREN SINCE HE HAS SUCH A LOW OPINION OF US.

Until now the Administration has refused to take action. Their answer to our petition

is that they do not see anything wrong with what the Teacher says to cause his transfer.

As Mexican parents we're asking you to come to DEMONSTRATE your feelings about an

attitude of ignorance, contempt, and prejudice against the honor and dignity of the

Mexican-American people.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1968--11:00 A.M. TO 1:00P.M.

AT LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

Lincoln High School Advisory Council----Mrs. Eva Romero, Chairman

Lincoln Heights Coordinating Council and

Lincoln Heights Parents Group----Mr. Ben Carmona, Chairman