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ANTH 4306/6306 Anthropology of Borders

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Border Queer Narratives: Exploring LGBTQ+ Experiences on the US-Mexico Border

Eva L. Millan

This project seeks to document and elevate the voices of queer and LGBTQ+ individuals who call the RGV home. In a region often marked by its complex cultural intersections, this endeavor aims to weave together a mosaic of narratives that are too often relegated to the margins.
Ethnographic Survey - Daniel S.

Daniel S. and Julio Jasso

Ethnographic survey for a resident living in Cameron County, Texas, on the topic of COVID-19.
Ethnographic Survey - Delia J.

Delia J. and Julio Jasso

Ethnographic survey for a resident living in Cameron County, Texas, on the topic of COVID-19.
Ethnographic Survey - Jasmin E.

Jasmin E. and Julio Jasso

Ethnographic survey for a resident living in Cameron County, Texas, on the topic of COVID-19.
Ethnographic Survey - Jimmy B.

Jimmy B and Julio Jasso

Ethnographic survey for a resident living in Cameron County, Texas, on the topic of COVID-19.
Ethnographic Survey - Mitchel J.

Mitchel J. and Julio Jasso

Ethnographic survey for a resident living in Cameron County, Texas, on the topic of COVID-19.
Interview with Angelina Gonzalez

Angelina Gonzalez and Diego Rivera

Interview with Angelina Gonzalez exploring the experiences of UTRGV students with mathematics in higher education. Rivera investigates the potential impact of incorporating Borderlands people's funds of knowledge into mathematical courses, moving beyond a purely theoretical approach. Gonzalez reflects on her upbringing in the Rio Grande Valley, her educational journey, and her experiences with mathematics at UTRGV. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from high school to college-level mathematics, noting the disconnect between her cultural background and the content taught in classes. Gonzalez expresses support for math courses that incorporate cultural references, suggesting it would enhance understanding and accessibility for students, particularly those whose first language is Spanish. The interview concludes with Gonzalez proposing a math problem integrating border culture, highlighting the potential for culturally relevant mathematics education to foster engagement and comprehension among students.
Interview with Annette Garcia

Annette Garcia and Diego Rivera

Interview with Annette Garcia focusing on experiences with mathematics at a border institution. The interview explores potential impacts of teaching mathematical courses with a practical approach rooted in the culture of the Borderlands people. Annette reflects on her background, multilingualism, academic pursuits, and experiences with math courses, both in high school and college. She discusses the teaching approaches, cultural relevance, and potential benefits of incorporating cultural references into math content. Annette also shares insights on the prospect of math courses being taught in Spanish and proposes a math problem integrating US-Mexico border culture. Overall, the interview provides valuable perspectives on the intersection of mathematics education and cultural relevance in border communities.
Interview with Armando Ponce

Armando Ponce and Armando Garcia

The interviewee shares his firsthand experiences and perspectives on living along the border. He recounts encounters with immigrants crossing through his high school campus, involvement in assisting migrants at a local church, and observations of media portrayals of border issues. He reflects on the challenges faced by migrants seeking a better life, challenges misconceptions about immigration, and calls for greater awareness and education on the realities of border issues. Throughout the interview, he emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding towards individuals seeking refuge and opportunities in the United States.
Interview with Diamond Torres

Diamond Torres and Rolando Serna

Interviewee discusses views on the legalization and distribution of medical cannabis, the contrasting cannabis laws in Texas versus other states, and reflects on the moral and political reasons behind cannabis prohibition.
Interview with Dominique Villarreal

Dominique Villarreal and Ashley Mariscal

Interview with Dominique Villarreal, a native of Rio Grande City, Starr County. Dominique reflects on her journey from her hometown to pursuing higher education and eventually becoming an attorney. She discusses her initial uncertainty about career paths, her experiences working in various roles, and her eventual decision to attend law school. Dominique also shares memories of her childhood, emphasizing the positive aspects of growing up near the border, while also acknowledging the challenges and worries her family faced due to their proximity to the river. Throughout the interview, she highlights the influence of mentors and teachers in shaping her aspirations and identity. Additionally, Dominique addresses the intersection of her Latina identity with her professional endeavors, particularly in navigating a predominantly male field like law. Her narrative presents themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the importance of community support in pursuing one's goals.
Interview with Elda Cantu

Elda Cantu and Cathryn Trevino

Interview on the topic of living as a disabled person in the Rio Grande Valley.
Interview with Elvira Serna

Elvira Serna and Rolando Serna

Interview with Elvira Serna on the local marijuana drug trade.
Interview with Felix Federico Serna

Felix Federico Serna and Rolando Serna

Interviewee shares his experiences and perspectives on his past involvement with marijuana distribution.
Interview with Gloria Chavez

Gloria Chavez and Ashley Mariscal

Narrative of Gloria Chavez's journey from her upbringing in a border community to her current role as Chief of the Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley sector. Chavez reflects on her 29-year career in law enforcement, starting from humble beginnings. She discusses her family dynamics, the influence of her siblings and cousins, and pivotal moments that shaped her career trajectory. The interview underscores the importance of hard work, mentorship, and personal resilience in achieving success. Chavez's experiences living in a border area and being a Latina in a predominantly male agency highlight the unique challenges and opportunities she has faced throughout her career. Despite obstacles, she expresses pride in her heritage and dedication to serving her community and country.
Interview with Lee Zyrus Hernandez

Lee Zyrus Hernandez and Diego Rivera

The interview with Lee Zyrus Hernandez explores the potential impact of incorporating Borderlands culture into higher-level mathematics education. Rivera seeks to understand if a practical approach, utilizing the cultural knowledge of Borderlands people, could enhance students' experiences with mathematical courses like college algebra and calculus at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Hernandez, a student with a background in applied statistics and data science, reflects on his experiences with math education, including dual enrollment courses and studies in New York and Atlanta. He discusses the lack of cultural relatability in his math education and expresses support for incorporating Borderlands culture into word problems to attract more students to mathematics. Additionally, Hernandez discusses the potential benefits of offering math courses in Spanish to overcome language barriers. The interview concludes with Hernandez creating a probability problem integrating Borderlands culture. This research aims to contribute to the Border Studies Archive at UTRGV, shedding light on innovative approaches to math education in the Borderlands region.
Interview with Lidia Aguilar

Lidia Aguilar and Beatriz Berlanga

Interview with Lidia Aguilar about curanderismo and her opinion on this topic.
Interview with Noemi Garcia

Noemi Garcia and Ashley Mariscal

Interview with Noemi Garcia, a Latina attorney from Harlingen, Texas, discussing her upbringing, career path, cultural identity, and views on the border area's future. Garcia reflects on her close-knit family upbringing, her journey into law school, and her current role as a general attorney with Customs and Border Protection. She shares insights on the influence of her Hispanic heritage and the challenges of being a minority in predominantly male environments. Garcia emphasizes the importance of cultural appreciation and the supportive community atmosphere in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). She envisions continued growth and unity in the RGV's future, foreseeing a more interconnected and influential region.
Interview with Raudel Reyes

Raudel Reyes and Rolando Serna

Interviewee shares his experiences and perspectives on his past involvement with marijuana distribution.
Interview with Rolando Serna

Rolando Serna and Dakota Rose Serna

Interviewee shares his experiences and perspectives on his past involvement with marijuana distribution.
Interview with Ruben Garcia

Ruben Garcia and Beatriz Berlanga

Interview with Ruben Garcia about his perspectives or beliefs towards curanderismo.
Interview with Silvia Briones

Silvia Briones and Ashley Mariscal

Interview with Sylvia Briones about her life and family history. Sylvia, born and raised in Pharr, Texas, recounts her father’s immigration to the U.S. through the Bracero Program in the 1950s, and his eventual petitioning for the family’s legal residency. Raised in a large family, Sylvia emphasizes the importance her father placed on education, steering his children away from manual labor. Sylvia describes a simple childhood in a tight-knit, predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood, contrasting it with the more affluent, predominantly Anglo areas.

She details her fascination with immigration processes, which influenced her career path. Despite financial challenges and limited guidance, Sylvia pursued higher education and eventually a career with the U.S. government. She highlights the hurdles faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, including inadequate equipment and gender biases. Her perseverance led her to a successful career, making her father proud. Sylvia's narrative underscores themes of resilience, the value of education, and the complexities of navigating cultural and institutional landscapes as an immigrant family.
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - a

Jorge Rodriguez

Section view of the flea market that includes boot vendor, Mexican attire vendor, and themed-blanket vendor.
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - b

Jorge Rodriguez

View of Joyeria [Jeweler] Los Primos.
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - c

Jorge Rodriguez
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - d

Jorge Rodriguez

View of Mexican food vendor, Taqueria El Zarape.
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - e

Jorge Rodriguez

Section view of the flea market with vendors and customers present.
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - f

Jorge Rodriguez

View of vegetable and fruit vendor, SY Produce LLC.
Photograph of 77 Flea Market - g

Jorge Rodriguez

Section view of the flea market that includes boot vendor, and clothing vendor.
Recipes - Baked Cornflake Chicken

Alejandra Gomez and Rebekah Gomez
Recipes - Caldo

Alejandra Gomez and Rebekah Gomez
Recipes - Huevos Rancheros

Alejandra Gomez and Rebekah Gomez
[Rotulo Art] Acapulco Stores - a

René A. Ballesteros

This digital image collection of public rotulo commercial art includes samples from Pharr, Edinburg, Raymondville, and McAllen, Texas. Rotulos are hand-drawn text, images, and advertisements used to advertise businesses. This art form is popular in Latin America and Mexico, and examples can be found in the borderlands and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
[Rotulo Art] Acapulco Stores - b

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] A/C Kompressors

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Aguilar's Meat Market - a

René A. Ballesteros

This digital image collection of public rotulo commercial art includes samples from Pharr, Edinburg, Raymondville, and McAllen, Texas. Rotulos are hand-drawn text, images, and advertisements used to advertise businesses. This art form is popular in Latin America and Mexico, and examples can be found in the borderlands and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
[Rotulo Art] Aguilar's Meat Market - b

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Aguilar's Meat Market - c

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Aguilar's Meat Market - d

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Aguilar's Meat Market - e

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Aki Electronics Inc. - a

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Aki Electronics Inc. - b

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Alex's Boot, Shoe, & Luggage Repair - a

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Alex's Boot, Shoe, & Luggage Repair - b

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Alex's Boot, Shoe, & Luggage Repair - c

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Alicia's

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Andy's Feed & Pet Store - a

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Andy's Feed & Pet Store - b

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Angela Fashion - a

René A. Ballesteros
[Rotulo Art] Angela Fashion - b

René A. Ballesteros