The Profe Podcast Newsletter

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History: The San Patricio Brigade

Economics: Wagon to Railroads

Education: Ethnic Studies

Culture: Mexica/Aztec Imagery: its attraction

History

Los San Patricios were Irish soldiers who fought for Mexico during the U.S.-Mexico War (1846–1848). As Catholics, they found common ground with Mexican soldiers, often attending church services together at night despite fighting each other during the day.

Bigotry for being Catholic and considered “not American” by Protestant Americans also caused soldiers to leave the US Army.

The San Patricio Brigade's remarkable courage and determination inspired many American soldiers to join them in combat, and its membership grew from about 200 to around 700.

Their ranks expanded to include disillusioned European immigrants, mainly from Poland and Germany, as well as escaped slaves from the United States, all united in their fight for justice and freedom.

The soldiers are still highly regarded and memorialized in both Mexico and Ireland.

They introduced a distinctive green battle flag featuring a golden harp and shamrocks, with the inscription “Erin Go Bragh,” which roughly translates to “Ireland Forever.” The image reflects the flag and the Irish's commitment to fighting for Mexico.

The San Patricios' use of “Erin Go Bragh” during the war reminds us that we can dedicate ourselves to a cause while still honoring another and feel connected to two things simultaneously.

After the U.S. took control following the U.S.-Mexico War (1846-1848), many Mexican Americans in the Southwest, like brothers Bernabé and Jesús Robles, found success.

They used the 1862 Homestead Act to claim two 160-acre parcels and created the Three Points Ranch in southern Arizona.

Their cattle business allowed them to acquire about one million acres of land from Florence to the U.S.-Mexico border. Bernabé also invested in real estate in Tucson and opened general stores, which he passed down to his children.

Mexican American entrepreneurs also made a big difference in freighting, using wagons to transport goods across the Southwest and between the U.S. and Mexico. Joaquin Quiroga started operations between Yuma and Tucson in 1856.

Later, in the 1870s, Estevan Ochoa from Tucson was successful with his company, Tully, Ochoa & Company, which shipped goods to St. Louis and Guaymas. He also expanded into mercantile shops, mining, and sheep ranching.

While many freighting companies faced challenges from railroads, some remained important by servicing routes that lacked train access, marking a key time in regional trade.

The image nods to the early businesses that paved the way for the shipping industry's transition from wagon transport to railway freight transport in early America.

Many Mexican American companies didn’t succeed because of the post-US/Mexican War westward expansion incursion but thrived despite it.

Ethnic studies are essential because they can create a culturally literate population and prevent one that is jingoistic and xenophobic.

The former fosters understanding, empathy, and communication, while the latter contributes to the creation, maintenance, and perpetuation of racial stereotypes and cultural isolationism, leading to social divides.

Courses such as Chicana/o/x Studies, Asian Studies, and African American Studies, among many more, aim to enhance our understanding of the diverse communities that make up the larger context of the United States.

These fields do not seek to replace existing historical narratives but to correct misinformation, address inaccuracies, or remove outright falsehoods.

This approach aligns with the broader educational goal of promoting knowledge while reducing ignorance and hate.

For the most part, in America’s grades K-12, in-class texts and conversations about U.S. history are presented from a European-American Anglo-centric perspective to create, implement, and maintain an “American diaspora.” 

The same can be said about literature classes and their use of coming-of-age and historical fiction from a singular perspective.  

Therefore, Mexican Americans will actively seek narratives where they can connect and feel part of the plot, experience, historical moment, and so forth.

Their rich heritage offers a wealth of stories that enhance understanding and spark discussions about identity, prompting questions like "Who am I?" and "Where do I fit in?"

Through these explorations, Mexican Americans cultivate a more profound sense of self and belonging in a complex world.

Aztec/Mexican imagery and history are not necessarily a final destination but a tool for a more comprehensive understanding of their identity and place in society.

Just in case…..

The Profe Podcast 

If you are interested in more in-depth conversations about Mexican / Mexican American culture and history, visit us here.

Community Outreach & Service

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