Ethnic Community Builders: Mexican-Americans in Search of Justice and Power is an oral history of Mexican-American activism in San JosZ, California, over the last half century. The authors present interviews of 14 people of various stripes-teachers, politicians, radio personalities-who have been influential in the development of a major urban center with a significant ethnic population. These activists tell the stories of their lives and work with engaging openness and honesty, allowing readers to witness their successes and failures. This vivid ethnography of a Mexican-American community serves as a model for activism wherever ethnic groups seek change and justice.

Francisco JimZnez is Fay Boyle Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, and author of several books on Mexican and Mexican American literature and culture. Alma Garc'a is professor of sociology at Santa Clara University and the author of numerous books on the Mexican-American community includingNarratives of Second Generation American Women(AltaMira).Richard A. Garcia is professor of history at California State University at Hayward and the author of numerous books and articles.

Part 1 Introduction
Part 2 Leadership and Power
Chapter 3 Victor Garza
Chapter 4 Blanca Alvarado
Chapter 5 Ron Gonzales
Part 6 Politics and Society
Chapter 7 Esther Medina
Chapter 8 Sofía Mendoza
Chapter 9 Ernestina García
Part 10 Education and Social Change
Chapter 11 Fernando Zazueta
Chapter 12 Juan Olivérez
Chapter 13 Yolanda Reynolds
Part 14 Culture and the Arts
Chapter 15 Adrian Vargas
Chapter 16 Rigo Chacón
Chapter 17 Mary Andrade
Part 18 Religion and Community
Chapter 19 Sal Álvarez
Chapter 20 Gloria Loya, PVBM