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Date Posted: 20:49:00 06/10/02 Mon
Author: John Schwarz
Subject: Spanish language program update

Guys,

Here are a few updates; note especially that my e-mail address has changed to NewAmericanBard@aol.com.

Boys,

The bilingual interpretive program at Pea Ridge National Military Park that Robert Serio and I have been discussing is tentatively set for the early fall, probably in mid-September. The object of this program is to reach out to the large, new, Hispanic community in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri, and so we will attempt to teach a few of the fundamentals of Civil War soldier life, the battle of Pea Ridge, and the War in the Trans-Mississippi west, focusing especially on the role of Hispanics in the Civil War. Co. K, 3rd Louisiana Infantry, "Pelican Rifles" had several Hispanic names on the roster, and that will be the base impression for Robert and I. However, since we are going to try to interpret with a broad brush, any and all quality impressions would be acceptable and useful.

The larger mission is to introduce the immigrants to all of the resources this region and America has to offer for all. These people have expressed the view that they thought the parks were just for the white people, and very very few of the natives are extending a welcome to them; indeed, there seems to be a lot of prejudice, and I've witnessed the bad vibes myself. OK, so they see one Civil War program--they've seen them all. I'm having difficulty imagining what the next step is after this park program, but I'd like some help in extending the scope of this project. Any ideas?

All FGLHA affiliates are welcomed, and I've gone ahead and used that name as the event sponser with the park. Robert Serio's wife, Beth, sponsers the only almost all-Hispanic (except for Beth and Sarah Serio) 4H club in the state of Missouri, and these kids are going to serve as bilingual docents. Also, the new Spanish-language newspaper, El Tiempo, is going to serve as a mouthpiece, helping us to advertise and to cooridinate.

Guys, you don't have to speak Spanish to help. But, if you'd like a challenge and want to take part in this unique and important program, please drop me a line at: JPSchwarz1979@aol.com. I'd especially like some support from any bilingual or Hispanic living historians, or anyone with an interest in Mexican participation in the Civil War. Also feel free to post any comments, questions, or suggestions here, and perhaps we can polish this event and make it really special.

Here is a rough outline of what I have in mind for Sept.

1st talk: Overview of Hispanics in American History--John Schwarz--10-15 mins
2nd talk: Hispanics in the CW--hopefully John Herrera and Arthur Porras--two Mexican-American pards I do events with in Texas (and me, if needed)--10-15 mins
3rd talk: Hispanics and other nationals at Pea Ridge, AR--Figured you and I could do this, and talk about the 3rd LA Inf and the non-Anglo Fed units. TMR Rick and the boys might lend a hand in talking about the 3rd, but I haven't had a chance to talk with them about it. 5-10 mins.
4th talk: Union soldier in the CW--basics of gear and soldier life stuff.--Cal Kinzer and Brian Brooks are the two I would like to get. Brian is bilingual. 5-10 mins.
5th talk: Confederate soldier in the CW--ditto. John Wood and Keith Baty--5-10 mins.
6th talk: Ethnic prejudices, then and now--John Schwarz--5-10 mins. Tie in the 19th-century prejudices against Irish and Germans in the CW era and Jews and Italians at the turn of the century with what they are now facing. I think they'll see that everyone's had to put up with it, but that eventually everyone is blended pretty well. Also, they can see how easy it is now, compared to actual widespread physcial violence against immigrants and political movements like Know-Nothingism in the 19th-century... The Catholic connection--Irish, Germans, Italians, Latin Americans = prejudice....

This would put the talk at a minimum of 40 mins and a maximum of 70, so roughtly anywhere between a half an hour to an hour. I think maybe we could actually combine #1 and #2, and lengthen both #4 and #5. What do you think? I know we're going to be dealing with people with little to no school in American history, so I don't want to bore them--will try to keep it simple (which is why I am inviting only a few people I know and can trust to do a good job to participate). Did I miss any key points? Please critique. I like to do my programs like I would any paper, and I think my main theme would be that all different nationalities, including Hispanics, have always greatly participated in the shaping of American History. While deep prejudices have excluded their voices, modern scholarship is increasingly uncovering these stories and providing for an atmostphere of tolerence and diversity.

Not only Hispanic participation is noticable in the CW, but Mexican styles and influences are abundent. I intend to talk about the saddle and styles of dress particularly (and I have a nice repro horned saddle and know someone with a Mac--basically a horned saddle with a Mexican rigging, minus the horn--am looking at getting a pair of leather trousers with conchos up the leg made. There are tons of pics and descriptions, if not).

After the talk, I want to be able to provide the option of a bilingual battlefield tour, particularly in the area where the 3rd LA fought, since we'll be talking about them. What do you think about that--too long?

As per your suggestion of giving the public something to actually take home from our demonstrations, I want to print up some nice, bound, Spanish-language programs of our text and suggested reading. I may have the hook up on cheap copies/binding...

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