Just Due, A Town Divided: School Segregation in Tolleson, Arizona (1929 to 1952)

By Wilfred "Sonny" Gomez Peña

Just Due, A Town Divided, School Segregation in Tolleson, Arizona (1929 to 1952), delves deep into the intricate and often overlooked pages of Arizona's history, specifically focusing on a critical period spanning from the Great Depression to the postwar era, when segregation cast a dark shadow over Tolleson Grammar Sch

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781936885572

Wilfred "Sonny" Gomez Peña

The late Wilfred "Sonny" Gomez Peña takes the reader back in history where most have forgotten or dared not travel. Through the segregation period of Tolleson, Arizona rose equality and progression from the sacrifice of a young visionary leader who made a historical difference, while going unrecognized. Sonny's exhausting research and interviews to correct decades of inconsistencies, deception and obscurity will shed light on the truth leading to the end of segregation in Tolleson. Sonny's journey was long, painful and often met with push back. He didn't mind, but welcomed the challenge in his quest to unveil facts leading to the truth. He was driven to credit the young "visionary leader" Juan Camacho had become and Tolleson, never knew. His story brings to the forefront a small group of Mexican-Americans who banded together in their fight against segregation for educational and civil rights, in an era of segregation. To give credit, where credit is due and rightfully correct a period of inaccurate facts and unjust recognition. Sonny's accounts are memorialized, catalogued and based on countless interviews, legal and personal research that he navigated to pen the truth. Through his travels, interviews and research, he'll take you through Tolleson's painful history and southern ideology origin, that most have forgotten or never knew. His accounts are not self-serving, but offer insight and recognition for those history excluded and folklore emphasized. Most importantly, his story bears truth to a young Mexican-American who had the foresight and courage to stand up, organize, and take on segregationists and win, without ever stepping into a courtroom. His hope was to bring honor to Juan Camacho who stood up to lead and persevered in a time of segregation, for the education equality of Mexican-American families of Tolleson. Prior to Sonny's death in April of 2021, his wish was to finish writing his book, so that journalists and historians would have tough conversations when seeking the truth in the future. Recognize the feats Juan Camacho accomplished in his fight for educational and civil rights and inspire past, present and future Mexican-Americans to make a difference in their communities, professional and personal lives. "Siempre la verdad!"

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FIRST EDITION

Just Due, A Town Divided

School Segregation in Tolleson, Arizona (1929 to 1952)

Copyright © 2023 Wilfred Sonny Peña

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Hispanic Institute of Social Issues

123 N. Centennial Way, Suite 105

Mesa, AZ 85201

[phone] | HISI.org

Cover & book interior designed by Yolie Hernandez

[e-mail]

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023942784

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-936885-55-8

eBook ISBN: 978-1-936885-57-2

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

Printed in the United States of America.

For my beautiful wife Rosie of over 60 years it’s with great love and gratitude, I dedicate this book to you.

Thank you for always motivating and encouraging me to find and share the truth.

Dedication

To the Original Committee Members of the Alianza Hispano-Americana Contra la Segregación en Tolleson:

Juan Camacho

Lupe Ramirez Favela

Angelita Fuentes

Patsy Murrieta Penunuri

Isauro Favela

Faustino Curiel Sr.

Manuel Peña Sr.

Manuel Lito Peña Jr.

And, Committee members who joined the movement later:

Cruz Gonzales de Contreras

Trinidad Gem Jr.

Ray Murrieta

Porfirio Gonzales

Joe Gonzales

Nacho Espinoza

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to every student who participated in personal interviews, provided critical insight, and recalled the segregation period in Tolleson they suffered through. Your candid account of the Segregation Era at Tolleson Grammar School from 1929 to 1952 is invaluable. This book references your stories and names for accuracy and truthfulness.

My sincerest gratitude to the original members of the Desegregation Movement who were alive at the time I began the research and development:

Original members of the Alianza Hispano-Americana Contra La Segregación en Tolleson* group: Isauro Ramirez Favela; Guadalupe Ramirez Favela; Manuel Lito Peña, Jr.; and Juan Camacho—the young boy who started the movement to integrate the school district. Trinidad Gem and Ray Murrieta, who joined the group after its formation, also provided valuable information on the group’s struggles to integrate the school.

Further praise and recognition to the following people:

Thu M. Tran – Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, History and Archives Division, Arizona State Capitol, Phoenix, Arizona

Donald H. Langlois – Arizona History Librarian, Arizona State Capitol, History and Archives Division, Phoenix Arizona

Wendi Goen – Archivist, Archives and Public Records, History and Archives Division, Arizona State Capitol, Phoenix Arizona

Rita Trinidad and Aida Chavira Villela – Clerks, Tolleson Elementary School District #17, Tolleson, Arizona

Allison Carro – Deputy Clerk, Arizona Supreme Court, Phoenix, Arizona

Melanie I. Sturgeon – Director, History and Archives Division, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, Phoenix, Arizona

Jeff Malcomson and Nancy Sawyer – Archivists, History and Archives Division, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, Phoenix, Arizona

Penny Mattson – Law Reference Librarian, State Law Library, Phoenix, Arizona

Kathy Fleener – Office Supervisor, Office of the Registrar, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Patti Flanagan, Curriculum and Registration Office, Specialist Senior – Lead, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Jo Aguirre – Curriculum and Registration Office Specialist, Teller, University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona

Mikki M. Bilton – HR/Benefits Specialist, Tolleson Elementary School District #17, Tolleson, Arizona

Isabel Del Toro – Receptionist, Tolleson Elementary School District #17, Tolleson, Arizona

Grace Chilcoat – Clerk, Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, Phoenix, Arizona

Dean Moreno – Administrative Secretary for the Governing Board, Phoenix Elementary School District #1, Phoenix, Arizona

Rose Hernandez and Tom Clohessy – Library Staff, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix, Arizona

Vilma Portugal-Chavez – Former Tolleson Elementary School Student

Dr. Ramona Lomeli – Administrator of Human Resources, Tolleson Elementary School District #17

* Hispanic-American Alliance Against Segregation in Tolleson

Preface

I wrote this book to address a small piece of history from a period of Segregation in Tolleson, Arizona. My story pertains to a small group of undervalued Mexican-Americans who stood up against segregation, not for fame or notoriety, but for fair and equitable educational opportunities and civil rights.

The journey through history was painful, informative, deceptive, and complex. It’s about a generation of young Mexican-Americans who banded together to set conditions for their children, ensuring they too had a voice. It’s about deception and truth, friends and family, loyalty and dishonor, recognition and outcasts.

I based the story on factual evidence and supported it with legal documentation, interviews, reports, and court findings. It has been hidden, uncovered, buried, and, through exhausting research, captured to correct injustices and acknowledge a small group of Mexican-Americans who possessed the tenacity and courage to stand up at a time when others did not.

Every social inequity, injustice, and inconsistency will surface. My story will shed light on failed investigative journalism, grasps for power, and damaging folklore, and it will challenge historical facts, family conversations, and injustices among friends. It will credit those excluded and correct a small piece of forgotten history.

Most importantly, it will bear truth to a young Mexican-American boy, A Visionary Leader, who had the foresight and courage to stand up, organize, take on segregationists, and win, only to be kept out from history. It will bring the honor Juan Camacho inherently deserves, suffered through, and envisioned for the town of Tolleson, the methodical dismantling of southern ideology and segregation.

Of every one hundred men in battle, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are nothing but targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are glad to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is the warrior, and he brings the others back.

(Traditionally attributed to Heraclitus. 500 B.C.)

The epitome of Juan Camacho, who led the campaign, mobilized others and brought them home.

Heroes Of Tolleson

Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.

—John F. Kennedy

First and foremost, it’s essential to recognize the True Heroes of Tolleson who, despite racism, segregation and hardships, answered the call to faithfully protect and defend the Constitution of the United States when their country called. Despite being denied civil rights and liberties in Tolleson, they’re the true heroes, and through perseverance and courage, they served their country with honor and distinction. We’re grateful to them for their selfless service and sacrifices made so we may enjoy the freedoms and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution.

APOLONIO BARRAZA — Graduate of Tolleson Grammar School class of 1936, where he experienced segregation in the classroom; Mexican students on one side of the room, white students on the other. He graduated from Tolleson High School in 1940. In June 1944, he completed navigation training at Pan American Airways, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. In the fall of 1944, after completing combat crew training in Rapid City, South Dakota, he was sent overseas to England. Assigned to the 447th Bomb Group stationed at Rattlesden, about sixty miles northwest of London, Apolonio began flying combat missions to strategic targets on the European continent. His decorations include the Air Medal with 5 OLC, WWII Victory Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Combat Medal with two battle stars, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one battle star, AFLSA with 5 OLC, Air Force Reserve Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon.

LIBORIO BARRAZA — Inducted into the Army in December 1943, he reenlisted in November 1945 and received his discharge in November 1948. He was born in Dolores Chihuahua, Mexico, on July 23, 1925. His award included the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in Ground Operations against the enemy during the Rome-Arno Campaign in Italy in February 1944. He received three Purple Hearts for wounds in combat action near La Chapelle, France, August 1944; Binarville, France, November 1944; and Althornbach, Germany, March 1945. He received an honorable discharge.

Salvador Barraza — He joined the United States Army at age 17 in 1946 because he wanted to be with his two brothers, serving in Korea. He was discharged in 1948 and