Interviewer
Mireya Loza
Project
Bracero Oral History
Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee
Raúl Canela was born on June 19, 1940, in Emiliano Zapata, Michoacán, México; he received formal education and finished secondary schooling; at age fourteen, he began working in agriculture; at age twenty-two, he joined the Bracero Program; he worked in California picking tomatoes.
Summary of Interview
Mr. Canela recalls growing up in Emiliano Zapata, Michoacán, México; he states that he attended formal schooling through the high school level, and afterwards began working in agriculture; additionally, he explains that he joined the Bracero Program at age twenty-two; as a bracero, he worked in California picking tomatoes; he describes the hiring process at Empalme, Sonora, México, the medical exams he endured, and the disinfection process; furthermore, he details what daily life was like on the camp, the length of his work week, and the treatment he received; he remembers that the braceros would often play soccer and boxing for entertainment, and that sometimes their boss would take them into town to watch movies; moreover, he recounts that he sent money to his mother every week; after the program finished, he expresses that he returned to the United States as an undocumented worker; to conclude, he states that he acquired U.S. citizenship in 1970.
Date of Interview
7-27-2005
Length of Interview
32 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1113
Transcript Number
No. 1113
Length of Transcript
16 pages
Interview Number
No. 1113
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Raúl Canela by Mireya Loza, 2005, "Interview no. 1113," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview in Spanish.