Discussion

• One Interviewee was from Salinas, then moved to Oregon and lived there for some years, then returned to Salinas and has been here since

• An interviewee mentions that, “We have to think about what we would think if we lived in those times." This was mentioned in another interview, when an interviewee explains how something that we find normal today can be considered completely wrong in the future.

• The old Monterey County Jail where Cesar Chavez was incarcerated was made into a historical monument. Some people want it to be torn down because a jail is not a good representation of the community. It's hard for some people to idolize someone, who despite helping/ advocating for Hispanics, he also was against illegal immigration. He would put it as, “I can’t say Cesar Chavez School because even he was controversial. Even our most non-problematic people are problematic."
• Interviewee, mentions “you're trying to get better wages for people that are already here., And they're just bringing more people that are doing the work. I mean, I can understand both sides.”
• One very controversial thing that someone talks about is that Hartnell had to do what he did to have what he wanted. She explains how it makes since that he had to marry for money in order to have land. She tells, “He was trying to help them in his own way" when came to the topic of Hartnell possibly using indigenous people as slaves. One Interviewee says “Especially since Salinas valley is a Mexican American county and it should be represented by such, not Hartnell”
• Two interviews mentioned that Hartnell was a "businessman", One mentioned the name "glorified pedophilia" due to Hartnell being 27 when married a 16 year old.

• Many interviewees expressed how the topics discussed are not taught well, or at all, in school. Historic figures are always displayed as heroic and good people when in reality we aren't being taught a clear picture of who these figures are. When talking about Hispanic figures like Tiburcio, one person said “they need to be in our history books." She expressed how we need people to represent the Latinx community and they need to be taught in schools. Cesar Chavez shouldn't just be a known and respected figure in just the Salinas community. ++

• Majority of the interviewees identified as Hispanic or Latino/a, aside from their ethnic background others spoke on the aspect of being both Mexican and American. One interviewee referred to herself as "half and half".

• A few interviewees mentioned being related to someone who works/worked in the fields or who was part of the bracero program. As a group made up of minorities, we also have personal connections/ family members who were or are fieldworkers. Something very important to mention is the importance of fieldworkers. One woman expressed, “This county has been built on our backs of our ancestors... These field workers, like my parents, who have back problems and health issues because of their work, need respect and honor and better treatment."

• Something very important to mention is how one interviewee defined herself as completely "half Mexican and half American." We interviewed her about her opinion on the name change of the school Tiburcio and she said that her identity "being half Mexican, that side of her saying “f*** yeah represent” but her American side says “why would we name a place after a thief?"
• To go off of this many interviewees mentioned the struggles of not being Mexican enough and not American enough. One interviewee, who was born in Mexico but spent a majority of her lifetime in Salinas, emphasizes “these were our lands first, we deserve to be treated equal, not second class” but “when we go to Mexico we’re too white and when we’re here we’re not white enough” having a figure as such would give us a better sense of identity. “Ni de aquí ni de allá." So, when the Tribucio school was changed to Montebella Elementary, she says it was “Slap in the face” (changing the a Mexican name to an Italian name)."
• When it came to the topic of Hartnell, much like we did, one interviewee felt strongly that the name Hartnell "glorifies anglo colonialism, also pedophilia.”

• Two interviews mentioned Michelle Obama as the figure they would name a school or building. One of the interviewee said she is a "classy, well spoken, and educated” and did a lot for women's rights. "She is an inspiration."
• two individuals mentioned how they would name a building or school like a family member that they felt was important to them.
• Two mentioned Dolores Huerta as the person to name a building because she is still an activist, role model .

• Hartnell

Emotions of participants were mixed when interviewing for Hartnell. Some did not seem to care too much about his history, did not have opinions on whether it impacted the community, and did not feel it impacted them personally. While others believed the name should not be used, especially in the Salinas Valley, where there is a primarily Latinx population. Some were bothered by the fact that Hartnell married into a Mexican family for land and money, while others thought it was "part of his business plan." While each person had their own thoughts on the name, ultimately we believe changing the name of Hartnell to something more representative of the community and community-oriented would have a far longer lasting effect and positive effect on the Salinas Valley.

• Chavez

The majority of participants were aware of who Cesar Chavez was and what he did to create a union for field workers, and viewed him in a positive light. Many do not feel the need to change places named after Chavez, but the majority of our participants feel more aspects of his legacy need to be taught in schools. While we acknowledge all Chavez has done for fieldworkers, we should not ignore his attitude towards illegal immigrants. We must work on improving the image that immigrants (specifically Latinx/Mexican) are given in America and focusing on all the contributions they have made to this area, state, and country.

• Vazquez

The majority of the interviews we did for Tiburcio Vazquez knew who he was or a brief history of who he was. There was mixed feelings towards Tiburcio Vazquez, one mention how he is a representation of the Mexican Community and should have started a revolution. Many did mention how people don't know the history of who he is and it is something that should be taught in school. An interviewee said his name is more local and felt like he is a person who represents this area (Salinas). Many interviewees did not feel like changing the name of the school from Tiburcio Vazquez to Montebella was necessary , in fact one of them felt hurt that they changed a Mexican name to an Italian name for the school and mentions how Latinos need more representation in our community.