Sonny Montes and Mexican American Activism in Oregon

Through his biography of Sonny Montes, May (history, U. of Oregon) offers the story of Oregon's most prominent Chicano activist, which also illustrates the formation of a significant Mexican-American community in the state between the 1960s and 1980's, and the ensuing rise of Oregon's Chicano movement. Interspersing relevant historical narrative, he describes Sonny's segregated childhood and early adulthood as a migrant worker in Texas; his radicalization, involvement with the Valley Migrant League, and work transforming the group into a Mexican-American run organization in the late 1960's; and his evolving role at Mt. Angel College in the 1970s, where he initially worked as Director of Ethnic Affairs while studying to obtain his degree, and eventually brokered the school's transition to become the Chicano-run Collegio Cesar Chavez. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)