In the small town of Edna, Texas, in 1951, field hand Pete Hernández killed a tenant farmer after exchanging words in a cantina. From this murder emerged a landmark civil rights case that would change the lives and legal standing of ten of millions of Americans. Tells the story of an underdog band of Mexican American lawyers who took their case all the way to the Supreme Court, where they challenged Jim Crow-style discriminiation against Mexican Americans. Lawyers forged a daring legal strategy, arguing that Mexican Americans were "a class apart" from a legal system that recognized only blacks and whites.

Documentary. Title from container. Originally broadcast as part of the American experience television programs. Special features: "Making of" featurette with filmmaker, interviews, behind the scenes footage, and photos; a slideshow of photographer Russell Lee's iconic images of Mexican American life in the 1940's; bonus scenes; materials for educators.