Esquivel, Yolanda A.; Esquivel, Paloma (mother, daughter). East L.A. Public Library, 2010-02-24T11:30:00

File — Interview-ID: MBY006232

Interview Description

Yolanda A. Esquivel, 58, tells her daughter Paloma Esquivel, 30, about her family history and pverty, her political awakening and activism, and her hopes for the future.

Facilitator Subject Log

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0:55 YE talks about her family's loss of land in Southern Texas. Her Mexican family sold land to an Anglo man who bought it with Confederate currency, which was worthless at time of purchase. Another time, other family land was seized when her great-grandfather was falsely accused of stealing cattle and subsequently hanged. Family turned to working picking crops.

15:55 YE describes conditions in fields, discusses how she felt towards her family and their fortunes. She felt pride at what her family had once owned and anger at the injustices committed.

20:10 YE remembers her grandmother, who practically raised her, and who worked as the family's healer ( "curandera "). Story of grandmother pulling mollar teeth without anesthesia.

31:55 YE admires the achievements of her children, all of whom are not college-educated. "It's taken generations to repair the damage done so long ago."

33:55 YE remembers a History class she took that helped her put in context her family's fortune and made real of her the loss of land.

39:20 YE, who is an educator, discusses what changes she would like to see.