In 1945 the Mendez, Guzman, Palomino, Estrada, and
Ramirez families led a movement to integrate Orange County
elementary schools. They succeeded. Tales of a Golden
State: The Mendez v. Westminster Story is a 40-minute
documentary film produced and directed by FC Librarian and
Dramatist Erica Bennett that weaves together family members
memories of the case with the first public performance of her play
El Primer Dia de Clases.
The film focuses on civil rights, educational equality,
and multicultural understanding of the landmark case that
set the precedent for Brown vs. Board of Education. It features
many of the original family members who participated in this
class action lawsuit and students from the college's Ethnic
Studies Department. It was created in collaboration with
the Fullerton College Office of Special Programs and the
Division of Academic Services.
Fullerton College is proud to announce a premiere screening
of Tales of a Golden State: The Mendez v. Westminster
Story for the community on Friday, November 13, 2009
at 12 noon at the Wilshire Auditorium 315 East Wilshire Avenue,
Fullerton, California 92832.
Admission is free. Parking is provided on the second floor
of the college parking garage at Lemon and Fullerton College
Drive, no permit is necessary.