SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL: SYLVIA MENDEZ & HER FAMILY’S FIGHT FOR DESEGREGATION
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tonatiuh, D. (2014). Separate is never equal: Sylvia Mendez & her family's fight for desegregation. New York, Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN:978-1419710544
B. PLOT SUMMARY
When her family moved to the town of Westminster, California, young Sylvia Mendez was excited about enrolling in her neighborhood school. But she and her brothers were turned away and told they had to attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia could not understand why she was an American citizen who spoke perfect English. Why were the children of Mexican families forced to attend a separate school? Unable to get a satisfactory answer from the school board, the Mendez family decided to take matters into its own hands and organized a lawsuit. In the end, the Mendez family’s efforts helped bring an end to segregated schooling in California in 1947, seven years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools across America.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS( INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
Tonaiuh writes a picture book depicting the real life story of the Mendez Family who fought for school desegregation in the late 1940’s. The characters in the story reflect the culture of the time. Since they had brown skin, black hair, and a hispanic background, they were not able to attend a regular school which was called Westminster. They were forced to attend a separate school. A school called the “Mexican” school.
The book has some notable cultural markers that truly show how hard it was for Sylvia and other non-white people to be treated fairly and equally. The continual culture clashes between whites and Mexicans along with other people of color were commonplace in many areas. Mexicans were painted as dirty, lacking hygiene, and intellectually challenged by many which was one of the reasons they were isolated in the “Mexican” school. Society in general was unaccepting of their presence. The sign “No Mexicans Allowed”, or even “No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed” for example, was typical for many of the businesses to display in order to keep non-whites out of their area. Unfortunately, the culture of hate, racism, and other behaviors were deeply embedded in people, and they were not ashamed to show it.
This book is excellent for students 9 years of age and older. It's simple, easy-to-follow plot and vocabulary make it a fairly easy and enjoyable read.
D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
2015 Pura Bulpré Illustrator Honor Book
2015 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Kirkus Reviews: “Tonatiuh masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history.”
School Library Journal: “Younger children will be outraged by the injustice of the Mendez family story but pleased by its successful resolution. Older children will understand the importance of the 1947 ruling that desegregated California schools, paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education seven years later.”
E. CONNECTIONS
– Have students discuss why Sylvia’s father fought for his children to attend Westminster.
– Have students gather more information about the history of school desegregation and share findings with the class.
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