Mendez v. Westminster: School Desegregation and Mexican-American Rights Book

I started teaching my students about the Mendez v Westminster case in 2001. At that time, there were a few newspaper articles and a couple of journal articles, but most of the research had to be done "old school," by going to the Santa Ana Public Library and digging (often on microfilm) through newspaper articles and court documents. Over the years, working with the students, we were able to develop a nice collection of resources. When one of our librarians told me that a book on the case had been published, I was thrilled! The book is well written and interesting. It provides many details that, with our previously limited access to resources, I was unable to share with the students. I teach at a community college very near the Orange County/Los Angeles County line, so my students know the cities and school districts involved. This is our backyard. I also work with a primarily Latino population, so this story resonates with them and often encourages them to reach beyond their perceived academic limits. This is an inspiring story of ordinary people who were willing to take big risks and ultimately make a significant difference in the lives of others.