MACRI Talk: Educating the Enemy

*Please Note: The date for this event is now Tuesday, June 7th*

Join us for a virtual conversation with Dr. Jonna Perrillo about her recent book that compares the privileged educational experience offered to the children of relocated Nazi scientists in 1947 El Paso, Texas with the educational disadvantages faced by Mexican American students living in the same city. Join us for an enlightening conversation!

Educating the Enemy begins with the 144 children of Nazi scientists who moved to El Paso, Texas, in 1946 as part of the military program called Operation Paperclip. These German children were bused daily from a military outpost to four El Paso public schools. Though born into a fascist enemy nation, the German children were quickly integrated into the schools and, by proxy, American society. Their rapid assimilation offered evidence that American public schools played a vital role in ensuring the victory of democracy over…