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Mendez v. Westminster Comprehension Quiz

Quiz by Keilani Spahn

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7 questions
Show answers
  • Q1
    What was the argument for the case?
    That the schools were discriminating against Mexican Americans, and that segregation undermined their ability to be productive Americans/struck feelings of inferiority
    120s
  • Q2
    What was the court decision?
    The separate schools were providing facilities, textbooks, and instruction that were not equal, and that goes against the purpose of public education (social equality)
    120s
  • Q3
    What did this have to do with Japanese Americans?
    The Munemitsu family urged the Mendez family to lease their land so that they would not lose their property and belongings while they were "relocated" in an Internment Camp.
    120s
  • Q4
    Why did the Mendez family even change schools?
    Due to the Mendez family leasing the land from the Munemitsu family, they moved to a different district in the predominantly white city of Westminster. Because of that, they fell into a different school district, and had to attend a different school. However, they denied entry and were told to go to a different school district.
    120s
  • Q5
    What was another reason that the Mendez family was upset and decided to take action?
    The entire Mendez family moved into the Munemitsu home, so Gonzalo Mendez's sister enrolled her children and his children in the school. Her kids were allowed to attend, but his children were not (because of their last names and their darker skin). His children were told to attend the Mexican school instead.
    120s
  • Q6
    Who and what did this case fight for? Who made the recommendation?
    David Marcus made the recommendation to make this a class-action lawsuit, which made it an argument not only for the Mendez children, but for all 5000 Mexican American children in Westminster, El Modena, Santa Ana, and Garden Grove to desegregate.
    120s
  • Q7
    Why was this case difficult to argue? What were some barriers that the plaintiffs had to overcome?
    Despite the "Mexican School" being extremely inferior and shabby, this was a difficult case to argue because many "experts" said that Mexicans were "dirty," "inferior," and undeserving of the same access. Mexican Americans were also considered "white" and thus could not argue on the discrimination on the basis of race. It was also argued by linguists that Mexican Americans going to "integrated schools" would not be better at English than if they stayed at "Mexican schools."
    120s

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