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Abstract

This thesis aims to determine the general arch of the Latino experience in Worcester from 19501990 through the lens of community organizations and subsequent political and social struggles. It fills the gap in Worcesters history regarding Latinos, as well as adding to the scholarship on Latinos in New England. The findings arrived at through the use of secondary and primary sources, such as interviews, newspaper articles, and government documents show that despite seemingly meaningful gains, Worcesters Latino population in reality have gained little strength politically or organizationally. This relative lack of progress is a direct result of external forces such as the Catholic Diocese and the Worcester City Council, as well as internal forces. These include infighting, ineffective leadership, and poor administration of organizations. This finding is important because, in a nation where minorities are increasingly important players, it illustrates the forces that can hinder minority community organization.

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Table of Contents

Abstractii Table of Contents ...iii List of Photographs .v Chapters INTRODUCTION.1 1. WHO WAS COMING TO WORCESTER, AND WHY? (1950-1970)...11
a.

MODEL CITIES (1967-1977).22 PORT OF ENTRY/CENTRO LATINO......23

b.

2.

THE ALPA ROLLERCOASTER (1970-1979)...........32 THE FIGHT FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION (1970-1983) ...46 THE FIGHT WITH THE WHA, GREAT BROOK VALLEY RIOTS, AND THEIR AFTERMATH (1975-1982) 58

3.

4.

5.

THE CONTINUING STRUGGLE FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT (1980-1990) ..........67

a.

SLIGHT POLITICAL GAINS..73

CONCLUSION .78

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BIBLIOGRAPHY. .81

Appendices
1. Appendix A: Photographs88 2. Appendix B: Interview Transcript (Luis Perez) . .100 3. Appendix C: Interview Transcript (Juan Gomez) ....126

List of Photographs

Photograph A.1. Luis Perez, 1980 88 A.2. Luis Perez and Francisco Ojeda, 1972 ...89 A.3. Rev. Rodrigo Vega and Rev. Kenneth J. Smith, 1968 ..90 A.4. Model Cities Area Map, 1966 91 A.5. Model Cities Area Map, 1970 92 A.6. Francisco Ojeda, 1971 93 A.7. Hector Reyes, 1970 94 A.8. Hector Reyes, 1977 95

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A.9. Stephen M. Levinson, 1975 96 A.10. Miguel Rivera, 1979 ..97 A.11. Roberto Lasanta, 1980 ...98 A.12 Rev. Miguel P. Bafaro, 1978 ..99