Book Shows Latino WWII Venture as Fueling Civil Rights Movement

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published May 24, 2007 at 3:30 PM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

Up to 750,000 Mexican-American men served in World War II, and their war-front experience became a major turning point for U.S. Latinos. Many Latino soldiers returned home to find the same discriminat

Up to 750,000 Mexican-American men served in World War II, and their war-front experience became a major turning point for U.S. Latinos. Many Latino soldiers returned home to find the same discrimination they had left behind. Their questioning of a system that held Latinos to a lower status helped fuel the Mexican-American civil rights activism of the 60s and 70s.

The stories of the Latino and Latinas who served in WWII are recounted in a new book -- as well as an oral history project -- led by Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, associate professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.

Guest

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Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez , director, U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project; associate professor, School of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin.