The Bracero Program

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Leisure –Time

             Leisure-time activities, a key to everyone’s physical and social well-being, were just as precious to the braceros, yet the men had little to do during their off hours.  In most camps, Mexican movies projected on outdoors on tent wall were a bright spot in an otherwise dull routine.  When films were not available, the men found other ways to pass the time mostly resting and gathering in groups and socializing or sharing a meal with some music.  On Sundays, they requested Catholic priests to offer mass in camp.  They also frequently pooled their resources to by radios or jukeboxes so that they could listen to Mexican music.

           Beyond these limited leisure activities, the social highlights of the year at most camps was the celebration of Mexican Independence with festivities that were largely improvised but still provided a welcome break form daily routine.