| Title: |
Torres, Gilberto
|
| Document type: |
Oral history
|
| Accessibility: |
Free Only
|
| Repository: |
University of Texas, Arlington. Central Library. Special Collections Department
|
| Collection: |
Tejano Voices: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Mexican American Studies Oral History Project
|
| Description: |
Torres discusses his family history and genealogy. He recalls memories of race discrimination practices by teachers and school administrators, and talks about racist acts by law enforcement agencies and other incidents of race discrimination he experienced while in the military. He focuses on his twenty-one year career in the U. S. Army including the difficulties and successes he experienced as a soldier. Torres explains that he decided to get into politics because of the abuses he and other Mexican Americans have experienced. He details his involvement with the Economy Furniture Strike in Austin, the student walkouts in Uvalde, and other political movements and protests. He comments on his political campaigns, including methods of raising money and campaign management. Torres recounts the events that led to his decision to run for county commissioner, and he describes the support he received from Mexican American leaders such as José Uriega, Alberto Peña, and Dr. Fermín Calderón. He elaborates upon his activities as a county commissioner, and describes the abuses of power and corruption in Uvalde County politics and government. Torres explains some of the measures he took to combat and/or correct such abuses. He concludes the interview by describing how some Mexican American political leaders do not understand the nature of politics and how the system operates which results in them hurting their own political futures as well as that of other Mexican American politicians.
|
| Extent: |
81 pages
|
| URL: |
http://libraries.uta.edu/tejanovoices/transcripts/TV_106.html
|
| Original Language: |
English
|
| Audio: |
[Audio available]
|
| Time span: |
Not indicated ... to 1997 (Year of interview)
|
| Speaker: |
Torres, Gilberto, 1936-
|
| Speaker gender: |
Male
|
| Speaker date of birth: |
24-Apr-1936
|
| Speaker place of birth: |
Texas; United States; North America
|
| Age at speaking: |
61
|
| Document location: |
Uvalde County, TX
|
| Document date: |
04-Dec-1997
|
| Interviewer: |
Gutierrez, Jose Angel
|
| Organizations discussed: |
U.S. Army
|
| Locations discussed: |
Austin, TX; North America; Texas; United States; Uvalde County, TX
|
| Topics discussed - ASP terms: |
Austin, TX; Education; Hispanic American leadership--Texas; Hispanic American politicians; Hispanic Americans; Military service, Voluntary; North America; Oral history; Political campaigns--Texas; Political science; Public schools; Racism; School administrators; Soldiers; Strikes and lockouts; Student movements; Texas; Texas--Politics and government; U.S. Army; United States; Uvalde County, TX
|
| Topics discussed - Other terms: |
Economy Furniture Labor strike
|
| ASP release: |
2005-06
|
| Document code: |
OHI0000253-198
|
