Experiencing, Learning, and Remembering

Experiencing, Learning, and Remembering

Over the last few months, I have worked as a Student Research Assistant for the Humanities Collaborative at EPCC-UTEP. So far, I am thrilled and amazed by the project and the initiative to allow students to have a mentorship experience and research on a specific field of interest to increase their engagement with a research cause and to improve their skills to plan and develop a project, as well as allowing one to actively participate and help the professor assigned to the student with their investigation.

I was assigned to El Paso Community College's (EPCC) Professor Rios Lopera on his research project, which focuses on telling the life stories of immigrants coming into the country to pursue a better life, to complete their education, and to get their GED certificates. The project highlights the motivations, dreams, fears, and struggles that these people face along the way and is documented in the published book Memorias del Silencio. This book is a compilation of memories, stories, anecdotes, and conversations with immigrants fighting for a better life, allowing us as readers to obtain a better sense of humanity and empathy for their experiences.

Moving forward with the investigation, I have had the opportunity to collaborate on a podcast to delve further into these stories. I have been researching what a podcast looks like, looking over materials like listening to other podcasts that also touch on the subject, investigating the best ways to tell a story, how they are constructed, and methods to keep an audience interested. I have learned a lot in the process; even though I had little experience in doing formal research, I enjoy drafting and organizing a project, which is why, so far, this project has been a very eye-opening experience. Mostly, I learned the importance of having love and passion for a project, especially one that will make a group of people feel represented and supported. The podcast is still in preproduction, which makes it exciting to witness the development phases of such a project. It is essential to be part of the brainstorming and thought process to deliver a finished product that meets the methodology's purpose and expectations.

Working on the podcast for Memorias del Silencio, I have become passionate about the stories that first-generation immigrants coming into the United States of America have to say and how they are driven by their biggest dreams, survival desires, and fears of their own, which they channel into resilience and determination as they strive to build a new future in an unknown country. What has had resonated the most with me is how the sense of belonging drives by their desire to build a better will for themselves and the courage and resilience needed for it. I have also enjoyed learning about thrilling adventure of navigating through a new environment for the first time after growing up in another city across the international border.

A street in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

As part of the main project, I have also had the opportunity to work on a secondary research project of my own; constantly being on both sides of the international border made me feel interested in going into detail about what an international border is and who is considered an immigrant. I decided to base my investigation on analyzing the international bridges from an immigration perspective, seeing that these spaces are a perfect example of how we can see immigration reflected in our society. My goal is to analyze these places and the surrounding areas to observe how aspects like culture, politics, security, human rights, and economic impact influence in society. Analyzing these factors would allow me to understand better how immigration can affect a specific place and transform both sides of the border. I would also like to leave this investigation as a resource for any other research since few broad information materials are available for researchers. 

A view of downtown El Paso, Texas

So far, I have investigated the history of the borderland to understand how it came to be. Researching the story and culture of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has been an intriguing journey. I have explored their narrative through written media like newspapers and articles, as well as firsthand by visiting the downtown areas of both cities. In my on-site investigation, I analyzed both towns' cultures, people, and economic systems to observe better their differences and similarities and what this says about immigration. The most remarkable insight I have learned was that migration was the determining factor that shaped both cities and not a consequence of their international proximity, given that the passing through of people with shared interests made them stay and build the communities we live in today.

Another fantastic learning opportunity that I got the experience to take part of being part of the Humanities Collaborative was the book release event of the fifteenth volume of Memorias del Silencio, which continues with the primary purpose of the project which is shining a light into immigrants in America, including their life stories, memories, anecdotes, vague thoughts, and internal conversations. This event was an exceptional and new experience for me, and it let me engage and immerse myself in the project even more, giving me more insights and ideas to contribute to the general podcast project and my personal investigation. The event took place in the Mexican Consulate in El Paso, Texas, and centered on recognizing the individuals whose stories were told in the book. These people were invited to take the stage, say their experiences in their own words, and be recognized for being willing to share their vulnerabilities to advocate for immigrants' rights and inspire others in their community. 

Views of the book release event of Memorias del Silencio

The event also included an art exhibition by the Mexican painter Oscar Moya. His main inspiration is to portray the border life, Chicano culture, and Latin-American labor through his paintings. This art exhibition, as well as the Mexican banquet and drink bar offered at the end of the book release event, gave a sense of acknowledgment, pride, and celebration to the anecdotes and experiences that people coming to the country for the first time may face, along with the culture and racial diversity they bring with them.  

Illustration of I-10 in West El Paso, Texas

Over the following months, I will continue to work on the leading podcast based on Memorias del Silencio; I will soon be meeting and interviewing the individuals who will be recounting their narratives in the podcast to start with the project's production phase. I will also continue to work on my research, focusing on the cultural, historical, economic, and political aspects we can observe in the borderland. Being part of this project has been an incredible learning and mentoring experience, allowing me to deepen my understanding and awareness of the place that I live in. It has also provided me with a clearer sense of belonging, highlighting the importance of representation in our society. I have learned that investigation projects like this are essential to help create spaces where individuals who belong to marginalized and unrepresented communities that may feel unwelcomed can find a sense of safety and acceptance. Sharing these experiences is essential to validate the journey of those who fought hard to get where they are, inspire others, and encourage their adversity. There is a crucial power in storytelling; it is a reminder that everyone deserves to be validated and heard and that we must make sure everyone knows and hears from because a community is created by diversity.

Luis Caro, Undergraduate Research Fellow 2024-2025

El Paso Community College, The Humanities Collaborative at EPCC-UTEP