Don Magdaleno’s Story
A Typical but Memorable Life of a Mexican Migrant
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Don Magdaleno’s Story
A Typical but Memorable Life of a Mexican Migrant
About this book
How did Don Magdaleno's deep-rooted cultural heritage shape his journey from Mexico to the United States?
In this book, author Gregorio Mora Torres traces Don Magdaleno's life from his roots in Eastern Michoacan as a descendant of peasants to his survival skills, shaped by both regional culture and Mesoamerican traditions. After growing up fatherless, Don Magdaleno first went to California as a railroad Bracero, returned to the United States as an agricultural Bracero several times, and finally made numerous crossings into California as an undocumented migrant residing in the Santa Clara Valley. After securing a full-time job as a railroad worker, he settled permanently in the Santa Clara Valley, contributing to the community's growth, political empowerment, and solidarity. His story highlights the resilience and cooperation that defined his immigrant experience.
Ideal for readers interested in Latinx Studies, Border Studies, Migration Studies, Labor Studies, cultural heritage, and the history of the Chicano/Mexican-American experience, this book offers profound insights into resilience, adaptation, and community empowerment.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Abstract
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Learning objectives
- Prologue
- Introduction
- 1 The origins of La Familia Mora Rojas
- 2 The Mora ancestors leaving the Hacienda El Moral
- 3 Tragedy befalls the Mora family
- 4 Young Jose del Carmen assuming the role of the man of the family
- 5 Lessons learned about living in the community
- 6 Magdaleno and family move to Tlalpujahua
- 7 Magdaleno and his dreams of going to El Norte
- 8 Magdaleno goes to the United States as a railroad bracero
- 9 Magdaleno embarks on another trip to California as a bracero
- 10 Magdaleno’s adventures in northeast Mexico and south Texas
- 11 Don Magdaleno’s return to California as an undocumented migrant
- 12 After the lean years, life got better for Esther and the children
- 13 Working in the United States during operation wetback
- 14 Magdaleno chooses to stay in Mexico and go to work at the Euzkadi Tire Company
- 15 Magdaleno heads for California again
- 16 Magdaleno considers settling in California
- 17 The Mora family immigrates to San José, California
- 18 The Mora family begins a new life in San José
- 19 The Mora family and working in the Valley of Golden Delight
- 20 The Mora family’s unhappiness with its living arrangements
- 21 The Moras’ sudden departure from their Minor Street home
- 22 The Mora family undergoes major life changes
- 23 Don Magdaleno bonds with his boys through sports
- 24 The Mora parents’ devotion to fixing up the family properties
- 25 Don Magdaleno’s last decade as a Southern Pacific Railroad traquero
- 26 The Mora family home on Jerome Street
- 27 Cherishing life after retirement
- 28 Don Magdaleno’s views on education and history
- 29 Don Magdaleno’s evolving views on education
- 30 Don Magdaleno’s final days
- Glossary
- Discussion questions
- Suggested projects
- A bibliographical essay
- Bibliography
- Index