So You Think You Can Repatriate? A Not-So-Serious Look at Los Angeles's Farewell Fiesta (That Wasn't Really a Fiesta)
Ah, Los Angeles. The land of sunshine, celebrities, and...mass deportations? That last one might not be on your typical tourist brochure, but it's a fascinating, if slightly depressing, chapter in the city's history. Buckle up, history buffs (and deportation enthusiasts, no judgment) because we're taking a trip back in time to explore the three phases of repatriation that swept through Los Angeles like a Santa Ana wind.
Phase One: The Great Depression Shuffle (1929-1933)
The 1920s were a roaring good time for everyone...except maybe for foreshadowing. Then came the Great Depression, a party crasher of epic proportions. Jobs were scarcer than a decent parking spot in Hollywood, and fingers started getting pointed. Guess who found themselves at the pointy end? Yep, Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Between 1929 and 1933, hundreds of thousands of people (estimates range from a shoulder shrug to a whole lotta folks) were encouraged,DEPORTED, or otherwise convinced to say "adios" to Los Angeles. Some were US citizens, which added a whole new layer of "yikes" to the situation.
Why the shuffle? Well, some folks in charge (let's call them the "Not-So-Bright" Bunch) figured that by shipping out Mexicans, there'd be more jobs for, well, not Mexicans. Let's just say their economic theories were about as sound as a house of cards built on a fault line.
Phase Two: ¡Vámonos! But Not Because We Want To (1934-1939) ** **
By the mid-30s, things had calmed down a bit. Deportations weren't quite the rage anymore, but that didn't mean Mexicans were exactly living the Hollywood dream. The pressure to leave remained, with some local governments offering "voluntary repatriation" programs that were about as voluntary as jury duty. The latter half of the decade (1934-1939) saw a continued exodus, with many Mexicans choosing to return to Mexico rather than face continued hardship in Los Angeles.
Bonus Fun Fact: The Mexican government wasn't exactly opposed to this whole repatriation thing. They even offered free land to returning Mexicans, though whether it was a beachfront paradise or a cactus-filled wasteland is a whole other story.
Phase Three: The Fade Out (Post-1939)
The post-1939 era saw a gradual decrease in repatriation efforts. Maybe someone finally figured out that deporting people wasn't the answer to economic woes (shocking, I know). However, the effects of the repatriation era continued to be felt for decades, with a chilling effect on Mexican immigration to Los Angeles.
So there you have it! A whirlwind tour of Los Angeles's not-so-celebratory repatriation phases. While it's a somber part of history, it's important to remember the resilience of the Mexican community in Los Angeles. They faced unimaginable hardship, but they also helped build the city into what it is today. So next time you're enjoying a delicious taco or basking on a sunny California beach, remember the folks who helped make it all possible, even if they weren't exactly welcome at the party.
