The Mexican Outsiders: A Community History of Marginalization and Discrimination in California

by Martha Menchaca

People of Mexican descent and Anglo Americans have lived together in the U.S. Southwest for over a hundred years, yet relations between them remain strained, as shown by recent controversies over social services for undocumented aliens in California. In this study, covering the Spanish colonial period to the present day, Martha Menchaca delves deeply into interethnic relations in Santa Paula, California, to document how the residential, social, and school segregation of Mexican-origin people became institutionalized in a representative California town. Menchaca lived in Santa Paula during the 1980s, and interviews with residents add a vivid human dimension to her book. She argues that social segregation in Santa Paula has evolved into a system of social apartness—that is, a cultural system controlled by Anglo Americans that designates the proper times and places where Mexican-origin people can socially interact with Anglos. This first historical ethnographic case study of a Mexican-origin community will be important reading across a spectrum of disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, race and ethnicity, Latino studies, and American culture.

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Elijah Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A powerful, academic deep-dive into the history of racial segregation in a single California town. Martha Menchaca's The Mexican Outsiders is a dense, but crucial, read that uses a blend of historical archives and oral histories to expose the institutionalized racism faced by people of Mexican descent. It’s not a light narrative; it's a meticulously researched study that proves segregation was not just a historical footnote but a systemic practice that shaped communities. What makes it so impactful is the direct quotes from residents—their stories of separate schools, unequal pay, and social exclusion bring the historical data to life. While its academic tone might be a barrier for some, it's essential for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the roots of racial inequality in the American West. A truly eye-opening and thought-provoking work that challenges simplistic views of progress and highlights the long-standing fight for civil rights.

[Elijah Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, academic deep-dive into the history of racial segregation in a single California town. Martha Menchaca's The Mexican Outsiders is a dense, but crucial, read that uses a blend of historical archives and oral histories to expose the institutionalized racism faced by people of Mexican descent. It’s not a light narrative; it's a meticulously researched study that proves segregation was not just a historical footnote but a systemic practice that shaped communities. What makes it so impactful is the direct quotes from residents—their stories of separate schools, unequal pay, and social exclusion bring the historical data to life. While its academic tone might be a barrier for some, it's essential for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the roots of racial inequality in the American West. A truly eye-opening and thought-provoking work that challenges simplistic views of progress and highlights the long-standing fight for civil rights.

[Theadora Davitt-Cornyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ was probably originally a doctoral thesis, but now in more accessible format. Pertains to a story of severe racial discrimination here in Ventura County, but is a universal case study for racisms in the USA.

[Mary]

Read for my CHLA class.
It's interesting and has a lot of information about the Latinos that I never knew of.