Felix Longoria's Wake: Bereavement, Racism, and the Rise of Mexican American Activism - Book Report/Review Example

? The Story of Felix Longoria that Changed the History Patrick Carroll’s book reflects one of the most significant episodes in the history of Texas. Carroll depicts the dawn of Mexican Americans’ open struggle for their rights. Admittedly, being a multinational country the United States faced many issues concerning ethnicity. Nevertheless, there are still many issues in our day. Thus, Carroll’s work is a good reminder of what people have lived through and what should never happen again. Carroll points out that in the middle of the twentieth century when dealing with some issues concerning inequality, be it social, political or economical inequality, the “more common response was to deny that prejudice existed at the same time practicing it.”1 His book reveals the fact that the prejudice did exist and it touched upon many aspects of people’s lives. More so, Carroll illustrates one of the most undeserving examples of prejudice rule which made people refuse to bury a person who had given his life for this country. The family of the soldier of Mexican origin had to struggle so that he buried as a deserving citizen of the community. Thus, one of the majors of the book was to reveal “the lessons” which “can teach us about our own behavior under similar circumstances.”2 Notably, the book dwells upon the period in American history which was characterized by many changes in the society. Longoria’s wake, for instance, has brought the issue of Mexican Americans’ inequality in the fore. Before the incident Mexican Americans had to accept social and economical oppression. The death of one brave and honored soldier made “whites” understand that Mexican Americans were the part of their community and deserved equal rights. On the other hand, this was the final straw which made Mexican Americans understand that it was time to start their struggle. The death of the private made people unite and acknowledge that prejudice did exist. In fact, this was the first step to abolish the rule of prejudice in Texas. Carroll claims that Dr. Garcia who reacted immediately and started helping a brave woman to struggle for her husband’s sake spent hours “telephoning, telegraphing, and writing quick notes that built a bonfire of protest which attracted the attention of national and international press, divided Longoria’s home state.”3 It goes without saying that such an activity awoke many people from their sweet dreams. Those who never thought of the prejudice but followed established rules could see how wrong they conducted. Dr. Garcia addressed politicians and drew public attention to the issue. The case left the boundaries of the state, Dr. Garcia let the entire nation be aware of the existing prejudice. Eventually, the funeral laid “Felix to rest in a way that redeemed his and their honor.”4 It is important to note that the funeral was of great importance not for Felix Longoria or his family, but for American society which promulgated democratic values, whereas in reality followed disgraceful rules of social, political and economical inequality. It is necessary to point out that depicting the struggle for Longoria’s wake Carroll portrays the struggle for Mexican Americans’ equality. Therefore, Carroll revealed courage of Longoria’s wife and devotion of Dr. Garcia. However, apart from this Carroll also depicted the politicians’ ambitions and desire to advance their political careers at the expense of an ordinary Hispanic family’s grief.5 Perhaps, Lyndon Johnson was one of those politicians, but rather “than operate as an untrustworthy Anglo politician, Johnson would behave like a compassionate friend of South Texas Hispanics.”6 Irrespective of possible mercantile motives of some people, the major aim was achieved and Longoria’s wake became the first step to the equality between Americans and Mexicans Americans. Carroll comes to the conclusion that “linking Mexican Americanism to patriotism through the Longoria incident served as just such an instrument in the group’s struggle with Anglos for power.”7 The author’s conclusion cannot be refuted. However, it is necessary to add that not only Mexican Americans benefitted from the struggle. This was a significant period in the history of Texas, a state where so many Hispanic people and Anglos had to co-exist and co-operate living in one community. More so, not only the state benefitted from the episode the entire nation gained one more victory in the struggle with injustice. Many Americans living in that transitional period finally understood that these people, ethnic minorities like Mexican Americans, were a significant part of their community. The courageous death of the private made many see that these people were fighting for their country and working hard for its development. Basically, Longoria’s wake has brought something more than certain rights to Hispanic people in the USA or “a great victory in their struggle for the empowerment of their people”.8 It united the nation to certain extent. It is important to note that Carroll’s book offers …a telescoping view from local to international perspectives of how intersections of race, nationalism, gender, and class combined with historical and structural conditions to shape people's lives. 9 He provides an in-depth analysis of the situation which can be regarded as one of the cornerstones of the history of Texas. Notably, Carroll sheds light upon all the major factors which influenced the struggle of several brave people of Texas. He does not leave out any argument so that the reader could have the complete picture of that episode from American history. The book lets the reader get a closer look at the episode which changed a lot in contemporary society. In conclusion, it is necessary to state that Carroll’s book is not only a historical note on certain events in the past. Carroll reveals the prejudice which existed in the middle of the twentieth century and points out that the traces of the prejudice still remain in American society. The book devoted to the courageous soldier who gave his life for the community which remained distant makes readers think of honor, courage, community. The book makes people view modern life from a new perspective. The book should be regarded as a warning which can prevent people from undeserving conduct. Bibliography Carroll, Patrick James. Felix Longoria's Wake: Bereavement, Racism, and the Rise of Mexican American Activism. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2003. Read More