Analysis Of The Supreme Court Case: Hernandez Vs. Texas

Hernandez vs Texas was a court case that took place during the 1950’s. Pete Hernandez was being convicted of murder in the state of Texas. During this case, they decided the trial was unfair because of the lack of Mexican Americans in the jury. This case made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Mexican Americans faced the conflict of discrimination as well as not receiving equality especially in the jury but the court case “Hernandez v. Texas” reinforced the 14th Amendment.

During the early days, Mexican Americans began to experience a great amount of discrimination. “ 30,000 Mexican Americans fought during WWII expecting equal rights.” ( A Class Apart, 2009, paragraph 6) Mexican Americans fought for the U.S without being offered equal rights.

“ This case took place in 1955.” ( Meier, 2000, p106) This case was used to put a “light” on the discrimination that was happening. Pete Hernandez’s lawyer realized the trail wasn’t fair. There was no Mexican Americans in the jury meaning that they were more likely to judge based on the race. Not on the event that actually happened and the evidence being provided. “ Segregation occurred in schools, housing and public facilities.” ( Meier, 2000, p 106) Mexican Americans were being treated differently from the white population because of their differences. They were being defined by their skin color as well as their culture. Although Mexican Americans had received citizenship after the Mexican American war. They lacked the equal rights that came with that by being separated from everyone else. “At least one restaurant in town prominently displayed a sign announcing "No Mexicans Served."( Hernandez v. Texas,N/A, paragraph 8) This is apart of the discrimination that was experienced. Mexicans Americans weren’t allowed to go to many places solely because of their race. They were just like any white person even if there were cultural differences between the two. There is no reason for that to occur. Many Mexican Americans grew up with American beliefs but not treated as American citizens. ( Munoz, 2013, p 7) Many Mexicans Americans were born and raised in America and that’s all they've ever known. It was

“ Segregation was experienced because they didn’t speak english.” ( Munoz, 2013, 8) Mexican Americans was not a reason for discrimination to occur. It was different from what Americans were used to but they were judging based off of their culture. Instead of becoming familiar with the people that had helped their country and were apart of it as much as they were. Mexicans Americans were treated badly. Another reason discrimination happened was because of their physical appearances. “There was discrimination against Mexican Americans as they were easily distinguished against the “white” classification. .” (Meier, 2000, 106) Now discrimination was happening based off of skin color. No person should be treated differently due to their appearance. It is something a person has little control over. Also, that does not define them as person therefore they should be treated the same as whites. “Southwestern United States and Texas there was a lot of discrimination against Mexican Americans such as lynching.” ( A Quiet Victory for Civil Rights, 2004, paragraph 2) The discrimination that happened led to violence. White americans believed they had the right to kill others based on their ancestry. As well as not allowing them to not have equal rights. This especially happened in places such as Texas near the border. “ This violated the equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.” ( Meier , 2000,