Felix Longorias Wake - Essay Example

Book review: Felix Longorias wake: bereavement, racism, and the rise of Mexican American activism. The book is written by Patrick James Carroll and focuses on racism affecting the Mexican-Americans. The author is a professor of history at Texas A&M University. He has coauthored many books covering the history of American society. The book is about Private First Class military officer called Felix Longoria who earned a Bronze Service star, Good Conduct medal, a Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman’s badge during the Second World War.

The focus of the book is on the events after his death rather than his autobiography. The funeral parlor at Three Rivers, Texas refused to hold a wake for him because of the segregation against Mexican (Carroll 13). In fact, it states that the wake could not be held because whites would not like it. This event catapulted the fight against discrimination of the Mexican- American overnight. The controversy helped build careers of some politicians while also bringing to an end the life of others.

The resultant effect of the action was the fight for recognition. The purpose of the book is to create the picture of the events that occurred in the struggle against racism which includes events surrounding the life of Felix Longoria. The book is organized in a structural way including the development of the plot. The book can be read with ease, but has several repetitions that make it boring for readers especially when rereading the book.The book is essential when addressing the social issues affecting the American society including the current status of the country.

It elaborates the issue of racism and the steps undertaken to combat racism. The focus of the book is on the Mexican Americans and their struggle for identity and rights. The book is excellent especially for students studying the American society and the impact of various rights’ movements.Works CitedCarroll, Patrick James. Felix Longorias wake: bereavement, racism, and the rise of Mexican American activism. Texas: University of Texas Press, 2003. Print.