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Cook's Point economic survey report, 1963

1963-11 Discrimination and Davenport Mexicans, 1963 Page 1

Brandon Van Winkle. The interviewers noted that some of the Mexican peoplefelt that the hhigher class white people showed less prejudice than the lower class. Some Mexican people thought that the realtors were not so discriminatory as the actual property owners themselves. Some thought that the real estate people tried to spare the Mexican people the embarrassment of encountering those "Americans" who would insultingly refuse to deal with Mexican clients. This man was willing to spend $15,000 for a home on East High Street. By phone the transaction seemed to be going well. But at the face-to-face meeting the owner suddenly recalled that he had promised the home to another earlier in the week. 
As regards job discrimination, the interviewers noticed a reluctance on the part of many of the Mexican people to make any charges. Three-fourths stated that they felt there was no discrimination against them. Others, however, did experience what they considered to be discrimination, especially in the matter of promotion. Again the LULAC leadership charged that discriminiation in hiring and upgrading was quite serious. In any case the local LULAC is in agreement with the National Organization in support of enforceable fair employment and fair housing legislation. On the brighter side, however, it was noted that unemployment among the Mexican workers was no more serious than among the "Americans". Eighty-nine percent felt that they had job security. At least 75% of all interviewed, including the 25% of the woman who worked, belonged to labor unions. And of the workers 25% were skilled, 25% semi-skilled and 50% were unskilled. Thirteen years was the average time spent on their present jobs. These findings suggest that economically these Mexican families differed not too much from other Davenport families of the lower and middle income brackets. Still no special research was required to reveal the only too obviously apparent fact that Mexican people had not penetrated the highest echelons of Davenport industrial society. However, our interviewers noticed the presence of books, encyclopedias and other educational material suggesting the importance attached to the education of the young by the parents. To conclude these remarks, we cite the observation of the interviewers that none of these displaced Cook's Point families indicated bitterness over their earlier removal from Cook's Point. No single person would complain that their removal was unjust, and even at the time all agreed that the abandonment of Cook's Point was for the best. Not a single one of the families interviewed is presently renting (at least a few of those moved to Illinois are renters, however). All already own or are in the process of buying their own home. it is accurate to say that these sturdy people are determined to find their rightful place in America's socio-economic life in spite of the known discrimination obstructing them. 
Rev. William T. O'Connor

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Brandon Van Winkle. The interviewers noted that some of the Mexican peoplefelt that the hhigher class white people showed less prejudice than the lower class. Some Mexican people thought that the realtors were not so discriminatory as the actual property owners themselves. Some thought that the real estate people tried to spare the Mexican people the embarrassment of encountering those "Americans" who would insultingly refuse to deal with Mexican clients. This man was willing to spend $15,000 for a home on East High Street. By phone the transaction seemed to be going well. But at the face-to-face meeting the owner suddenly recalled that he had promised the home to another earlier in the week. As regards job discrimination, the interviewers noticed a reluctance on the part of many of the Mexican people to make any charges. Three-fourths stated that they felt there was no discrimination against them. Others, however, did experience what they considered to be discrimination, especially in the matter of promotion. Again the LULAC leadership charged that discriminiation in hiring and upgrading was quite serious. In any case the local LULAC is in agreement with the National Organization in support of enforceable fair employment and fair housing legislation. On the brighter side, however, it was noted that unemployment among the Mexican workers was no more serious than among the "Americans". Eighty-nine percent felt that they had job security. At least 75% of all interviewed, including the 25% of the woman who worked, belonged to labor unions. And of the workers 25% were skilled, 25% semi-skilled and 50% were unskilled. Thirteen years was the average time spent on their present jobs. These findings suggest that economically these Mexican families differed not too much from other Davenport families of the lower and middle income brackets. Still no special research was required to reveal the only too obviously apparent fact that Mexican people had not penetrated the highest echelons of Davenport industrial society. However, our interviewers noticed the presence of books, encyclopedias and other educational material suggesting the importance attached to the education of the young by the parents. To conclude these remarks, we cite the observation of the interviewers that none of these displaced Cook's Point families indicated bitterness over their earlier removal from Cook's Point. No single person would complain that their removal was unjust, and even at the time all agreed that the abandonment of Cook's Point was for the best. Not a single one of the families interviewed is presently renting (at least a few of those moved to Illinois are renters, however). All already own or are in the process of buying their own home. it is accurate to say that these sturdy people are determined to find their rightful place in America's socio-economic life in spite of the known discrimination obstructing them. Rev. William T. O'Connor