== Lydia Mendoza recalls her career in the Depression ==

== Lydia Mendoza recalls her career in the Depression ==

I loved the Lydia Mendoza recollection.  Her modesty was overwhelming, but at the same time she was able to effectively describe how tough the depression was on families, and especially on minorities.  Having to play in the plaza for two nights in a row just to make up the rent for the week had to have been difficult and you can really understand why her mother was hesitant about letting her travel to go on the radio show.  If I were her mother I probably would have done the same thing -- her daughter was earning her quite a bit in the plaza so why change that, right?  At the same time, I think it was wonderful that the manager found her a sponsor - it's kind of romanticized really and the way a great success story should start.  I also liked how, by reading Lydia's piece, you could tell that women were still trying to establish themselves alongside men in the music world (and life in general.)  "It was a very pretty sight and very special because we were women and very young..."  Her discussion of the plaza being filled entirely with groups of men playing their instruments just emphasizes how all cultures dealt with a gender struggle. --Kelly Wuyscik

I loved the Lydia Mendoza recollection.  Her modesty was overwhelming, but at the same time she was able to effectively describe how tough the depression was on families, and especially on minorities.  Having to play in the plaza for two nights in a row just to make up the rent for the week had to have been difficult and '''you can really understand why her mother was hesitant about letting her travel to go on the radio show.  If I were her mother I probably would have done the same thing -- her daughter was earning her quite a bit in the plaza so why change that, right?''' At the same time, I think it was wonderful that the manager found her a sponsor - it's kind of romanticized really and the way a great success story should start.  I also liked how, by reading Lydia's piece, you could tell that women were still trying to establish themselves alongside men in the music world (and life in general.)  "It was a very pretty sight and very special because we were women and very young..."  Her discussion of the plaza being filled entirely with groups of men playing their instruments just emphasizes how all cultures dealt with a gender struggle. --Kelly Wuyscik

It makes be sad to read how greatly people struggled because of the Great Depression. I, like Kelly, enjoyed reading about Lydia Mendoza. I was moved by the since of "togetherness" her family had. Everyone in the family was involved in the musical group, all working together for survival. I suppose that tragedy and tough times bring people together. The move from Michigan to Texas took 3 months because they had to stop and perform for food and gas. Lydia Mendoza was modest and very sweet with her words. I found it interesting that Lydia's father gave up. He would not get up and to try to get work even when seeing Ignacio coming home with produce to eat. He was proving a point, but his family was starving.--Nikole Wellman

It makes be sad to read how greatly people struggled because of the Great Depression. I, like Kelly, enjoyed reading about Lydia Mendoza. I was moved by the since of "togetherness" her family had. Everyone in the family was involved in the musical group, all working together for survival. I suppose that tragedy and tough times bring people together. The move from Michigan to Texas took 3 months because they had to stop and perform for food and gas. Lydia Mendoza was modest and very sweet with her words. I found it interesting that Lydia's father gave up. He would not get up and to try to get work even when seeing Ignacio coming home with produce to eat. He was proving a point, but his family was starving.--Nikole Wellman