Raúl Hernández

Interviewer

Susan Zamudio

Project

Bracero Oral History

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Raúl Hernandez was born in Vista Hermosa de Negrete Michoacán, México. He has a brother and two sisters. When he was 17 years old Raúl decided to go north to look for work. Raúl is married with five children and currently lives in California.

Summary of Interview

Raúl Hernandez was born in Vista Hermosa de Negrete, Michoacán. His parents were field laborers and from a very young age, Raúl was taken out of school and he learned to care for goats. When Raúl was a 17 year old, poor, newlywed, he decided to travel North in search of a job. Prior to entering the Bracero Program, Raúl worked in Tamaulipas and Matamoros picking cotton and corn. After entering the Bracero Program, worked picking cotton and various types of produce in Texas and California. During this time, Raúl experienced discrimination against minorities and in his case, Mexicans working in the United States. At one point Raúl had to pay a coyote $125 to cross over to the United States. At the end of the Bracero Program, Raúl decided to bring his family to the United States permanently. He appreciated the work that he was able to do, because the money earned allowed him to buy a home for his family in Mexico and eventually bring them over. Raúl is still actively involved with issues pertaining to the Bracero Program, notably the issue with money that was due to the braceros for their service. Overall he had a positive experience with the Bracero Program.

Date of Interview

7-12-2008

Length of Interview

67 minutes

Tape Number

No. 1402

Transcript Number

No. 1402

Length of Transcript

34 pages

Interview Number

No. 1402

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Interview in Spanish.

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