As the Great Depression hit Los Angeles, Mexican-Americans increasingly became the targets of racial fear and prejudice. Gonzalez believes his tremendous popularity and his outspoken protests against discrimination led to his arrest in 1934 on a trumped-up charge of rape. In spite of the recantation of the "victim," Gonzalez was sentenced to 50 years in San Quentin. He was parolled after six years and deported to Tijuana, Mexico, where he was instrumental in the development of radio in the border region.
The 30-minute program, narrated by actor Julio Medina, makes extensive use of rare archival film from Mexico and the U.S., still photos from Gonzalez' large personal collection, and original music recording from the 20s and 30s to tell the story of his life in the style of a corrido, or Mexican ballad. |
