Humberto "Bert" Corona

The 50th Chicano Moratorium committee observes the 2021 Memorial Day commemorations, with a salute to all the working-class service members, veterans, and those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. We highlight this year’s commemoration with a special mention of our mentor, educator, and leader, Humberto “Bert” Corona, this 103rd year since his birth 5/29/18.

Bert Corona is recognized nationwide as an icon in the struggle for civil rights, from the days of his leadership in the 1930’s defending the rights of the Mexican people, through the period of the “Chicano Movement”, and continuing in the efforts to defend immigrant workers in our communities, work places, schools, and in political representation. For those that encountered Bert, in political meetings, classrooms, symposiums, protests/rallies, or educational panels, a lesson in dignity and respect for all working people was in store, in the spirit of equality for all.

Bert Corona was a child of the Mexican revolution, as a young student in the 1920’s in Texas he organized his first protest (walk-out), defending the right to object to discrimination and misinformation in the history books related to mexicanos, and, electing the first Mexican American student body president in school. In the 1930’s, Bert joined the Longshoremen and Warehousemen’s Union, as a Harry Bridges confidant, and the CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations) in his effort to organize Latino workers in defense against harassment and deportation of noncitizens by the U.S. immigration authorities. This led to his involvement in the anti-fascist movement of the period, and participation in the political movement under the National Congress of Spanish-Speaking Peoples defending democracy in the world.

Bert was an activist in the generation leading up to WWII, he joined the service to fight fascism in Europe, experienced discrimination and segregation in the military, which led to his participation in the formation of ANMA (Asociacion Nacional Mexico-Americana), Hermandad Mexicana Nacional (1950’s), and MAPA (Mexican American Political Association), the 1960’s social-political activist organization in defense of the Mexican American people in the U.S. His role in electoral politics to guarantee a voice for Latinos was immeasurable, from working in the CSO to elect the first Chicano city councilmember in L.A., through JFK clubs, RFK clubs, and the Johnson administration. He was present and active defending farm workers, student walk-outs, the Chicano Moratoriums, and, into the 1970’s with the formation of CASA-HGT (Centro de Accion Social Autonoma) as a formation to defend immigrants and citizenship, where a whole generation of Chicano-Mexicano political activist were born as the movement evolved throughout the southwest states.

In the period of his last years of life, he continued to lead La Hermandad Mexicana, demanding a seat at the social and political table for all working people, the immigrant worker in particular, and mentoring so many, young and old, as a “Veterano” of the people’s struggles. Bert states, “One thing I learned from my days with the CIO and my later political experiences, is that labor, political, or community organizations take time and commitment. There are no shortcuts!”