Wow! It's been a fun two weeks sitting down with three guests. I am excited to introduce three people who took some time to share their stories. Check them out on the videos page.
The first guest of Tejanos con Ganas is Oscar. He is a proud fifth-generation Tejano and first-generation non-migrant worker. Oscar's father was a migrant worker with a third-grade education who went out to the Army. After the Army, his father became a plumber and electrician. Similarly, his mother was also a migrant worker, but for a shorter time. Her parents opened a grocery store and while she never finished high school, she pursued trade school and went on to become a licensed cosmetologist.
Their struggles encouraged him to pursue other endeavors and ensure he would pass on his Tejano values to his children and future grandchildren.
Austin was a pleasure to chat with. As a second-generation non-migrant worker and sixth-generation Tejano, he told about his experiences of feeling like Tejano's stories were not real because no one had ever heard his stories outside his community. While Austin knows the stories are true, he was able to share his experiences with his peers in college and showcase what the Tejano culture is.
The Tejano community relies on food to bring them together. His great-grandma often could be found preparing large meals for the family and bringing them to her table to share in their highs and lows.
The last of her generation to pick cotton in her family, Yolanda shares the story of how the teachers at her Catholic elementary school changed her name to Maria. She also talks about how she identifies as Mexican, but later explained that off-camera this was what she was told in school.
Yolanda talks about her experience in migrant work. She also talks about the loss of her father which forced her mom and her to move back with her maternal grandparents and five uncles. They all had to work, including her which caused her to miss lots of school time. She was held back for two years due to limited learning. Unlike others in her situation, she was able to graduate, which is something she is proud of today.