Political Power Movement: Rise of La Raza Unida Party

Texas has a long history of discrimination and hostility towards Mexican-Americans. In Texas government, Mexican-Americans have routinely been under represented. Majority Mexican-American populations have been jerry-rigged out of government entitlements by poll taxes and electoral redistricting. The white Anglo has always had government power in Texas until 1963.

In 1963 at Crystal City High School, 90% of students where Mexican-American and 10% were white. While Crystal City High School was majority Mexican-American only one Mexican-American could be on the cheerleading squad. One day another Mexican-American girl besides the one Mexican-American girl already on the squad wanted to be a cheerleader. She was denied her request. This inequity sparked parents to step in.

The parents voiced their concern to the principal and the education board but were unheard. Crystal City High School parents realized that they had no political control and therefore could not change the way things were so they decided to make a political party with a platform based solely on Chicano issues including bilingual education, equitable tax structure, foreign subsidies, and regulation of public utilities.

The party gained publicity as the women involved in the party organized dances and events to register voters. In 1970, the party ran for 16 positions winning 15. In 1972 Ramsey Muniz ran for governor of Texas under La Raza Unida. Muniz lost but took away a significant number of votes from the democrats, enough to allow a republican to be elected as governor. The democrats were forced to acknowledge the importance of the Mexican vote.

The fact that La Raza Unida had leverage over the democratic party would not suffice Mexican-American eagerness to be heard. The party ran "Corky" for a chairman position in the state government. "Corky" was verbally expressive of his feeling of disdain for Anglos. Is was rumored that "Corky" advocated violence towards Anglos. Anglos responded by bombing the Crusaders of Justice building where "Corky" was affiliated. The bombing scared many people in La Raza Unida party into leaving the organization. The party died down and has since been less active.

The self determination of Mexican-American's in Texas and in the United States was positively improved. Establishing La Raza Unida showed Mexican-Americans were not afraid to stand up for their rights. La Raza Unida inspired Mexican-American people to realize they were in control of their own destiny. Mexican-American's have the power to become a part of the government process by voting and participating in government.