PBS | Fighting for the Right to Speak Spanish | The Express Way with Dulé Hill @PBS | Uploaded 4 months ago | Updated 1 hour ago
Official website: to.pbs.org/3TwQDsm | #ExpressWayPBS
In 1969, the Latino students of Crystal City, TX, staged a school walkout that sparked a revolution and changed history. The story inspired the play “Crystal City 1969” by Latinx theater company, Cara Mía Theatre.
Dulé Hill arrives in Dallas, Texas to learn more about the Cara Mía Theatre production, “Crystal City 1969.” The play was inspired by events that took place in the town of Crystal City, Texas in 1969. At that time, the town had a majority Chicano population, yet public school students faced discrimination in class, and were corporally punished for speaking Spanish. One of the students, Severita Lara, was beaten and suspended for passing out leaflets about Latino students’ unfair treatment. Meanwhile, the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO), began organizing school protests across the country in the spirit of civil rights. José Angel Gutiérrez, born and raised in Crystal City, was sent back to his hometown by MAYO to organize the students for protest.
The students’ activism sparked a revolution in Crystal City, and changed the political landscape in the town. They organized a school walkout that called for the right to speak Spanish, along with 17 other demands for equality and fairness. The students’ activism eventually brought them to Washington, DC, and inspired more Latinos to run for city government and the school board in Crystal City. In the end, all the students’ demands were met in a sweeping victory.
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#texas #spanishlanguage #chicano
The Express Way with Dulé Hill
Multi-talented actor and performer Dulé Hill (“The Wonder Years,” “The West Wing”) and director Danny Lee (“Who Is Stan Smith?”) take audiences on an emotional and celebratory road trip across the nation to explore the transformative power of the arts. Along his journey, Hill travels to California, the Appalachian region, Texas and Chicago to connect with local visionaries, activists, changemakers and pioneers who are using their artistic passions to foster connection, deepen empathy, and create meaningful change within their communities.
Official website: to.pbs.org/3TwQDsm | #ExpressWayPBS
In 1969, the Latino students of Crystal City, TX, staged a school walkout that sparked a revolution and changed history. The story inspired the play “Crystal City 1969” by Latinx theater company, Cara Mía Theatre.
Dulé Hill arrives in Dallas, Texas to learn more about the Cara Mía Theatre production, “Crystal City 1969.” The play was inspired by events that took place in the town of Crystal City, Texas in 1969. At that time, the town had a majority Chicano population, yet public school students faced discrimination in class, and were corporally punished for speaking Spanish. One of the students, Severita Lara, was beaten and suspended for passing out leaflets about Latino students’ unfair treatment. Meanwhile, the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO), began organizing school protests across the country in the spirit of civil rights. José Angel Gutiérrez, born and raised in Crystal City, was sent back to his hometown by MAYO to organize the students for protest.
The students’ activism sparked a revolution in Crystal City, and changed the political landscape in the town. They organized a school walkout that called for the right to speak Spanish, along with 17 other demands for equality and fairness. The students’ activism eventually brought them to Washington, DC, and inspired more Latinos to run for city government and the school board in Crystal City. In the end, all the students’ demands were met in a sweeping victory.
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station: pbs.org/donate
Subscribe to the PBS channel for more clips: youtube.com/PBS
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App: to.pbs.org/2QbtzhR
FOLLOW US:
Facebook: facebook.com/PBS
X: twitter.com/PBS
Instagram: instagram.com/PBS
TikTok: tiktok.com/@pbs
Shop: shop.pbs.org
#texas #spanishlanguage #chicano
The Express Way with Dulé Hill
Multi-talented actor and performer Dulé Hill (“The Wonder Years,” “The West Wing”) and director Danny Lee (“Who Is Stan Smith?”) take audiences on an emotional and celebratory road trip across the nation to explore the transformative power of the arts. Along his journey, Hill travels to California, the Appalachian region, Texas and Chicago to connect with local visionaries, activists, changemakers and pioneers who are using their artistic passions to foster connection, deepen empathy, and create meaningful change within their communities.
