East Los Angeles: History of a Barrio

By Richardo Romo

Book Overview

This is the story of the largest Mexican-American community in the United States, the city within a city known as "East Los Angeles." How did this barrio of over one million men and women--occupying an area greater than Manhattan or Washington D.C.--come to be?

Although promoted early in this century as a workers' paradise, Los Angeles fared poorly in attracting European immigrants and American blue-collar workers. Wages were low, and these workers were understandably reluctant to come to a city which was also troubled by labor strife. Mexicans made up the difference, arriving in the city in massive numbers.

Who these Mexicans were and the conditions that caused them to leave their own country are revealed in East Los Angeles. The author examines how they adjusted to life in one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, how they fared in this country's labor market, and the problems of segregation and prejudice they confronted.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292720416
• ISBN13: 9780292720411
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Great sociological study yet easy to read

Most people are put off by sociological studies that are mostly about showing statistics and graphs. "East Los Angeles", though, is written in an engaging style that sheds new light on the direct role that Mexicans had in the creation of Los Angeles as a metropolis. My only problem with this book is that it ends its scope in 1930, before many seminal moments in Chicano history such as "Operation Wetback", the bracero program and the Zoot-Suit riots happened. If this book would have encompassed these events, it would be deserving of 5 stars. As a companion piece though, Rodolfo Acuna's book on East Los Angeles from 1945-75 is essential.