Forgotten History
An ABC13 Houston video called "What is 'La Matanza' and Why is It Not in Texas History Books?" is about the multiple killings of Mexicans and Mexican Americans during 1910-20's. Not many can recall the history because it was never formally recorded in history books. The stories of unlawful killings were passed through generations of families who had loved ones taken from them by racially motivated Texas rangers.
The video starts with a woman named Melba sharing her story of how her great grandfather and great uncle had reported some stolen horses only to be shot by Texas rangers. Melba has shared this story with many, most importantly her daughter Christine Melisse who keeps the memory alive like others as ABC13 Houston states, "In an effort to prevent any other racist field tragedies and never forget a key moment in their history, markers have been erected throughout south Texas all thanks to an organization called Refusing to Forget. It was founded in 2014 by a group of professors who wanted to inform the public of the state-sanctioned anti-Mexican violence." These markers aid people in understanding that Texas rangers were not the hero's they were made out to be. The killings were becoming so common that they went unreported.
Overall, this little piece of history should have been properly recorded but due to passionate individuals it's not forgotten. 'La Matanza' was a dark time in Texas history filled with wrongful murders and lawless law men who were told to kill "bandits" and move on without reporting them, so they were just forgotten.
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