In April 3, 1980 Julian Nava became the first Mexican-American appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico under the Carter Administration. While serving in Mexico, he enjoyed collecting the many political cartoons that featured him, and even met with some of the cartoonists in person. This cartoon depicts Nava, dressed as a mariachi, with the statement "Mexico without borders or the United States without borders? I'm not from here, I'm not from there." This cartoon is a commentary on Nava's position as a Mexican-American living and working in Mexico, representing the United States government. But when President Carter was not re-elected in 1980, the Reagan administration declined to keep Nava in his position and instead informed Nava that his successor had been selected. Nava left the embassy on April 3, 1981. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Julian Nava became one of the first Mexican-American graduates of Pomona College and one of the first Mexican-American doctoral students at Harvard University. He went on to have a distinguished career as professor of history at California State University, Northridge, member of the Los Angeles Board of Education, and United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1980 to 1981. 10 in. x 7.3 in.
Educational uses permitted under Copyright fair use. Written permission for publication and commercial uses must be granted by the Oviatt Library, Urban Archives Center. http://library.csun.edu/Collections/SCA/UAC
Project Name
Latino Cultural Heritage Digital Archives
Data Digitized
2005-01-07
Publisher
California State University, Northridge. Oviatt Library