Mendez Case and Civil Rights

In the 1940s, segregation was prevalent in the U.S., affecting minorities like Mexicans. Sylvia Mendez, a young girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, was denied entry to an all-white school in California. Her parents, Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, initiated a legal battle against segregation, hiring attorney David Marcus. The case, Mendez v. Westminster, challenged the notion of 'separate but equal' and led to a landmark ruling in 1946, declaring segregated schools unconstitutional. This case paved the way for the desegregation of schools in America, influencing the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Sylvia Mendez continues to advocate for civil rights, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

What was Sylvia Mendez denied when she tried to register at an all-white school?

• Participation in sports

• Access to the playground

• Enrollment at the school

• Permission to use the library

What action did Sylvia's parents take after being denied access to the all-white school?

• They moved to another city

• They accepted the decision

• They enrolled Sylvia in a private school

• They hired a civil rights attorney

What was the belief of the superintendent of the Garden Grove School District regarding Mexican people?

• They were inferior to European Americans

• They were more intelligent than European Americans

• They were equal to European Americans

• They were superior to European Americans

What was the outcome of the initial trial in the Mendez case?

• The trial was postponed

• The court ruled in favor of the Mendez family

• The court ruled against the Mendez family

• The case was dismissed

Which organizations supported the Mendez family during the appeal?

• The United Nations

• The American Civil Liberties Union

• The NAACP and other civil rights groups

• The U.S. Department of Education

What was the significance of the final ruling in the Mendez case?

• It was overturned by a higher court

• It had no impact on segregation laws

• It led to the desegregation of schools in California

• It only affected schools in Westminster

What recognition did Sylvia Mendez receive for her family's efforts in the desegregation case?

• The Presidential Medal of Freedom

• The Nobel Peace Prize

• The Congressional Gold Medal

• The Pulitzer Prize

What has Sylvia Mendez been doing for over 25 years?

• Speaking about her family's legal victory

• Running for political office

• Teaching at a university

• Practicing law

What message does Sylvia Mendez convey to students about standing up for what is right?

• Only a few will understand

• It is better to stay silent

• People will join and support you

• It is a waste of time

What does Sylvia Mendez hope to achieve by sharing her family's story?

• To rewrite history

• To discourage future legal challenges

• To gain personal fame

• To spark change for Latinos today