Oral history interview with Rudy Espinosa, 1998 [videorecording].

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Oral history interview with Rudy Espinosa, 1998 [videorecording].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50252730

Espinosa talks of his childhood, educational experiences, and family, including their work as a migrant laborers. He discusses his political activity in Crystal City and his involvement (and that of other family members) in the Crystal City walkout, and provides insight into the functioning of La Raza Unida party in the area. He also describes Crystal City's dispute with the Lo-Vaca Gas Gathering Company (a subsidiary of Coastal States Gas Corporation). Espinosa comments on Crystal City politics, including its current leadership and electoral races, and talks about the Crystal City ISD and his work as superintendent. He discusses his term as a community college board member, his failed re-election bid, and issues relating to other board races. In concluding the interview, Espinosa gives his opinion of the effects produced by La Raza Unida party and the walkout on Crystal City and its reputation, explains his choice to put his education career ahead of politics, and relates his views on what is needed to promote continued improvement in the lives of Mexican Americans.

1 videocassette (VHS) (1 hr., 33 min.) : col. ; 1/2 in.Transcript : 47 p. ; 28 cm.

eng,

spa,

University of Texas at Arlington, Central Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 7623344

University of Texas at Arlington, Central Library

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

University of Texas at Arlington. Center for Mexican American Studies

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63c6s61 (corporateBody)

Gutiérrez, José Angel,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w62r404b (person)

José Angel Gutierrez was born Oct. 25, 1944, in Crystal City, Texas. An activist, educator, organizer, and lawyer, Gutierrez co-founded the La Raza Unida Party and played many leadership roles in the early Chicano civil rights movement. He served as President of the Crystal City Independent School District Board in the early 1970s and as a County Judge for Zavala County, Tex. (1975-1980). In the 1980s, Gutierrez pursued a teaching career and moved to Oregon where he taught at Colegio Cesar Chav...

Coastal States Gas Corporation

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qw0j38 (corporateBody)

Espinosa, Rudy (Rodolfo),

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61z8pgc (person)

Mr. Espinosa was born December 1, 1949, in Crystal City, Texas, and is a graduate of Texas A & I University. He has been superintendent of the Crystal City Independent School District since 1981 (excepting a four-year tenure as superintendent of the La Pryor ISD). Espinosa served two terms on the Crystal City city council during the 1970s, held the office of Crystal City mayor for one year, and was elected in 1992 to fill a six-year term on the local community college board. From...

Raza Unida Party (Tex.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d262nv (corporateBody)

The Raza Unida Party (RUP) was first established as a third political party in Crystal City, Texas, in January, 1970. As an alternative to the two-party system in Texas, Raza Unida sought social, economic, and political self-determination for Chicanos, other minorities, and the disenfranchised through local and, later, state politics. At its start, the party organized around county, local, and school district elections in south Texas; winning city council elections in Cotulla, Carri...