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The Latin-American Coordinating Council
Two years ago, when the first inklings of “Pachuquismo” came to the public’s attention, the Latin-American Coordinating Council of Los Angeles, was organized. The first meeting of the council was called by members of the Los Angeles Police who were interested in the problems confronting Mexican-American youth. From this impetus the council has struggled on its owp to give our youth other goals and activities than just congregating on the streets and not being occupied with constructive things.
ATHLETICS
The Coordinating Council has sponsored athletic leagues in soft-ball, basketball and touch football. The personnel to handle all of these activities has been voluntary and non-paid.
TRADE SCHOOL
The group was instrumental in making possible the Latin-American trade school in Eastside Los Angeles. It has sponsored a speakers bureau, whereby its members appear before all types of groups to discuss delinquency among Mexican youth. It sponsors clubs, which are guided by the professional assistance of Tom D. Garcia, former Y.M.C.A. secretary. All the Departments of the City and County of Los Angeles directly concerned with juvenile delinquency work in close arrangement with the council. The group recently purchased a three-story building which will be converted into a social and athletic center for youth of downtown Los Angeles.
PERSONALITIES
The personnel of the Council includes such well-known Mexican-American leaders as Manuel Ruiz, attorney; Tom Garcia, probation officer; Joseph Zazueta, accountant; Eduardo Quevedo, civic leader, and the assistance of Stephen Keating, senior probation officer who works with coordinating councils in Los Angeles. There are other outstanding personalities in the council beside those mentioned.
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Inter-American
Work Pushed
Che Southern California Council of Inter-American Affairs was recently established in Los Angeles under the cooperation of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American affairs. Situated in the Philharmonic Building at the corner of Fifth and Olive, the Council, which is composed of local civic leaders of both Mexican and “European heritage, will endeavor to foster better relationships between Mexican-American and Anglo-American gromos. It will accomplish this purpose with a special emphasis on local affairs, since it is their credo that the Good Neighbor Policy begins at home. The Council aims to acquaint the people of Southern California with the culture, language, literature, foreign policy, political and economic policy, and the problems of our neighbors south of the border. It will also acquaint people with the contributions of the Mexican-Amer-icans to the Southwest. Every medium will be utilized : the press, films, radio, lectures, forums, musicals and study groups in carrying out its program.
The Council maintains close and continuous work arrangements with government and private agencies concerned with Inter-American affairs and with our own citizens of Mexican descent. It acts as clearing house for speakers before clubs, schools, churches, and maintains a film and radio transcription library
The Coordinating Council voices the opinion, “We re just beginning.” The steps taken so far indicate a good start. The organization is unique in that capable Mexican-American leaders are realizing that “They are their brother*s keepers.” They realize that leadership must come from our group and that we, with the cooperation of all must help make our world a better place to live in.
BUY WAR BONDS!
available to interested groups. It serves as a depositary for and distributes Latin-American literature, sponsors exhibits, and assists Latin-American visitors to understand and enjoy Southern California. It will work toward the greater assimilation of our Americans of Latin-American extraction into our community and national life. Lastly, it will actively work toward the elimination of minority discrimination in Southern California.
The Council is just becoming organized, and in the future hopes for more councils of this type in every California county where Mexican-"Americans reside. To date it has sponsored a fellowship of $1800.00 a year for graduate students of Mexican descent. The deadline for applications to be filed for this scholarship is August 15. It has also cooperated with the Latin-American Coordinating Council and was instrumental in organizing two older boys clubs in Los Angeles, and at Occidental College it presented an Art Exhibit of Susana Guevara, well-known Chilean painter.
The Council is just beginning its work under the directorship of Raymond G. McKelvey, former Santa Barbara State College professor. The executive secretary is acquainted with the problems of our Mexican-American people and under his helm the council bodes good for the general welfare of all those in Southern California.
LISTEN . . . Sh . . .
The time, 9:30 p.m. The night, Thursday. The station KNX. Keep ’that in mind if you wish to listen to an interesting program about persons of your background. At this time, place and date the program “These Are Americans” will be broadcast over the Columbia Broadcasting System. 1 he program is cosponsored by the Southern California Council of Inter-American Affairs ,the Hollywood Victory Committee and the War Writers Mobilization.