TV taught me something today!

So I was watching a new Netflix special featuring John Leguizamo "Latin History for Morons" and apparently I was in need of education a few points ... well, one of those was about something that occurred during the 1930s "The Mexican Repatriation"

According to Wikipedia (link):

The Mexican Repatriation was a mass deportation of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans from the United States between 1929 and 1936. Estimates of how many were repatriated range from 400,000 to 2,000,000.^{[1]:xiii[2]:150} An estimated sixty percent of those deported were birthright citizens of the United States.^[2]:330 Because the forced movement was based on race, and ignored citizenship, the process arguably meets modern legal definitions of ethnic cleansing.^[3]:6

Widely blamed for exacerbating the overall economic downturn of the Great Depression,^[4] Mexicans were further targeted because of "the proximity of the Mexican border, the physical distinctiveness of mestizos, and easily identifiable barrios."^[5] While supported by the federal government, actual deportations were largely organized and carried out by city and state governments, often with support from local private entities.

Some other sources:  NPR , The Washington Post , PBS - Video 

I thought this sort of historical information might provide some great story material for those who want it - so this is me sharing.  I may use it in the background of things I'm writing but I think it could be hugely impactful as a story point if your character has ties to Mexican-American communities or is of a latin background themselves.

If nothing else it's an interesting point in American history that bears looking at again (or if you're like me, for the first time.)

PS:  As a side note, I can't remember the exact quote but I believe John claimed that before it was over, over 600 people of Latin heritage had been lynched... adding another really tragic note to this dark part of American history.

I often research the cities I'm working in as to what was happening around the 1920's era. It helps feel authentic when talking about your business or the location of your HQ. Things like what airport was in use for the area, or what made the most money at that time.

One of the obvious ones is prohibition. Almost everyone knows that Alcohol consumption was prohibited and movement of the stuff was extremely difficult. Bars were built into houses which were invite-only, often in cellars.

One of the lesser known ones I came across was the fact that Las Vegas didn't actually exist during the period we're set in. The first casino didn't open until around the 40's I believe. Don't quote me though, it's been a while since I looked it up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Las_Vegas#1930%E2%80%931941:_Hoover_Dam_and_the_first_casinos

:)