El Paso Archives - The Race Card Project

Border life safety, mass murder, lose.

June 12, 2024June 12, 2025 border, El Paso, interconnected, Juarez, mass murder, Mexico, Patricia Valdez-Harrison, TX

Patricia Valdez-Harrison,
El Paso, TX.

El Paso Texas for the fourth year in a row as been reported to be the safest city in the country even though it shares borders with one of the deadliest cities in Mexico. I chose to end my sentence with lose not only for the lose of so many innocents but the lose of culture. Growing up my family often traveled to Juarez for various activities such as dinning, shopping and entertainment. These two cities where interconnected. This is no longer the case for many native and nonnatives. I for often find myself longing for what once was.

White mother glad sons biracial 2021

May 12, 2024May 12, 2024 biracial, black son, El Paso, mom, Monae Dasher, scared, sons, TX

Monae Dasher,
El Paso, TX

I was the white girl that embraced integration in school, first to befriend the one or two Black children my age in elementary. In middle school, large integration happened and physical fights broke out and my heart ached to see my friends on both sides beating each other up. I became untouchable to white boys as I easily was friends with Blacks and Hispanics. Only white boys from outside my high school would date me. My mom and dad liked the fact I had friends of different races, but dating was taboo, as “society isn’t ready for biracial couples”. I would be hurting myself socially and career-wise, according to my father. But I found acceptance from Black men and women and their families embraced me so warmly compared to white boys and men I dated, who rarely had me meet their families. I felt at “home” within the black culture and embraced (mid-70’s through 80’s). I was fired from numerous jobs once my white boss saw my Black boyfriend and inexplicably and suddenly accused of stealing or other firing offenses that I did not commit because it would have been illegal to fire me for the race of my boyfriend.

I left home and family by joining the U.S. Army in the late 70’s and met my future Black husband. We married and were subsequently separated for two years, because a racist Colonel wouldn’t sign papers for joint domicile despite the Army having a policy of keeping spouses together whenever possible. My MOSs, (military occupational skill), I had two, were a shortage world wide (Journalist 71Q/Broadcaster 71R) and I could have definitely been together with my husband in Germany. I subsequently came down on orders to Alaska (considered an overseas assignment). Two years later, I left the Army with an honorable discharge after serving a total of four years, and we were back together. I hated leaving the Army, but my choices were to be continuously separated from my spouse or to leave (he had the most years invested).

We had two sons five years apart and my father often was fearful for my Black sons’ futures, but in today’s climate in 2021, if he were still alive, he’d be fearful for his white grandsons and great grandsons. That is why I am grateful for having two biracial sons in 2021’s racially divisive climate. It truly breaks my heart.

Identity stripped for being Mexican American

November 27, 2023 American enough, Chenille, El Paso, identity, less American, Mexican enough, Mexican-American, no sabo, speak Spanish, TX

Chenille,
El Paso, TX

Not being Mexican enough, and not being American enough is the realm that haunts me and many of us Mexican Americans. We are constantly scrutinized from both sides for just being us. My family has been here for many generations and it’s just saddening to hear that your white washed or not American at all when that’s farthest from the truth and reality of the situation. Just because I don’t know Spanish all to well and labeled as a “No sabo kid” dosn’t mean that I’m any less of being Mexican. Just because I have Mexican decent dosen’t mean I’m any less American.

Race is unique and beautiful!

November 27, 2023 beautiful, El Paso, Race, Sociology Class, TX, Victoria A Murga

Victoria A Murga,
El Paso, TX

From EPCC in my sociology class, I have learned more about race and ethinicity.

Blessed, sad, exceptional, annoyed, encouraged, joy

November 27, 2023 El Paso, El Paso Community College, Ivette Somers, JOY, TX

Ivette Somers,
El Paso, TX

Am exceptionally blessed with the race I was given yet sadden and annoyed on how others perceive me for my color of my skin. I just move on encouraging my race and fell joyful everyday. El Paso Community College

Don’t Speak Spanish, I WILL Learn.

October 31, 2023 Cory Skyye De La Riva, El Paso, Latino/Mexico, speak Spanish, TX

Cory Skyye De La Riva,
El Paso, TX

I chose these words because even as a Latino living in a predominantly Latino/Mexican city, yet I still don’t speak Spanish. I never was taught as a kid, nor did I pay attention in Spanish class. Looking back, I should have done something, so I could’ve spoken the language of my culture! I will have to learn on my own now, which I don’t mind at all if it means coming closer to my roots.

They’re beautiful, why are they white?

August 15, 2023 Abigail Jimenez, assume, beautiful, children, El Paso, kids, TX, white

Abigail Jimenez,
El Paso, TX

I look Asian but I am Mexican

August 15, 2023 El Paso, Gabriela Arce, look Asian, Mexican, TX

Gabriela Arce,
El Paso, TX

God help my people, nobody will

July 18, 2023 Dalissia Ostorga, El Paso, God, TX

Dalissia Ostorga,
El paso, TX

Go Back To Your Own Country

August 25, 2022 Aixa Rojas, bubble, El Paso, first experience, Go back to your own country, High School, Hispanic, locker room, Mexican, sports, team, TX

Aixa Rojas,
El Paso, TX

I am told by a blonde girl from the opposite team while we leave the locker room at the State competition. I was only 16 and it was my second year in the United States; I was still so ignorant of the prejudices held against me and my culture. I am a first-generation Mexican American, born in the U.S. but raised on the Mexican side of the border. In my small Hispanic community, I was kept in a bubble even when I started high school in the U.S. In my town, most of my classmates and people around me looked and talked just like me. However, I was hit with a harsh reality the very first time I had the opportunity to travel where I was clearly in the minority.

El Paso Community College
SOCI 1301

Are We Really All That Different?

July 15, 2022 different, El Paso, Hispanic, Leilany Lechuga, speak Spanish, TX

Leilany Lechuga,
El Paso, TX

I was born in the United States and my ethnicity is Hispanic
I find it weird that some people think that their ethnicity is superior to ours. It’s not our fault that we were born to different places and from other ethnicities, we are all humans. Sometimes when I go out with my mom, she speaks Spanish and the workers act rudely towards us. But once she states that she knows english, they change their attitude.

You look like you would speak Spanish.

July 6, 2022 assumptions, Christopher Sandate, El Paso, speak Spanish, TX, you look like

Christopher Sandate,
El Paso, TX

You Still Have Value in USA

July 5, 2022 Berenice Folks, El Paso, first experience, Mexican, teacher, TX, USA, value

Berenice Folks,
El Paso, TX

It’s too weird how people who seem to be the same race as you (Mexican) behave in an aggressive way.

I have gone to a same gas station a couple of times where a lady who looks Mexican and speaks Spanish works, she attends people with a bad face but with a friendly tone, but the moment she looks at me she makes an annoyed face and when is my turn she speaks to me in aggressive way and answers to me in English even though I asked her in Spanish. Every time I’ve been there she behaves the same way but the last time I answered her in English without thinking about my pronunciation so that she knows I understood her.

My point of view is that we should not allow such actions to make us feel less valuable than others.

I remember the words of my previous teacher (Ms. Janeth) she said to our class: You are not retarded because you don’t know English guys, you are real and intelligent who also think and have reasoning. English is just a language and that should not make us feel less valued by the bad behavior of others.

But you don’t look half Mexican

February 28, 2022 Denise Shirley-Carter, El Paso, grandparents, Half, heritage, Hudson, irish, light skinned, Mexican, Mexico, pale complexion, scottish, Sprain, TXX, very white, white, WI, you don't look

Denise Shirley-Carter,
Hudson, WI

My father is white, Irish, Scottish, etc. My mother’s parents were from Mexico, Spain, then El Paso, TX. However, both my parents are light skinned, my mother very white, so I have a very pale complexion. I have always gotten “but you don’t look half Mexican” or “I don’t believe you” or even from my own (half) sister, “I always forget you’re half Mexican”. Although I am not in contact with my mother, I loved my grandparents and am proud to have that as part of my heritage, my race. However, when people tell you they don’t believe you, it does cut. I cannot even imagine what others have to deal with. My issue is so small in comparison. I am seen as white from people who would prefer I be white, and seen as white by everyone else, as well. I wish I could say it doesn’t matter, but it does.

A border town taught me understanding

September 20, 2020September 20, 2020 blend, border town, borderline, celebrate, Christian Diego Cintron, culture, El Paso, Hispanic, Race, TX, understanding

Christian Diego Cintron,
El Paso, TX.

Culture and race should be celebrated. Growing up in a border town taught me people are different and we should all be understanding. I am Hispanic and I love my culture and the way it blends with all the other cultures.

Don’t speak Spanish, I’m still Hispanic

April 21, 2016April 21, 2016 El Paso, Hispanic, Spanish, speak, TX, Victor Santana-Melgoza

Victor Santana-Melgoza,
El Paso, TX.

For most of my life I have been rejected by many people in the Hispanic/Chican@/Latin@ community for not learning and practicing Spanish (as well as not following other cultural cues). I was raised in a household where English was the main language spoken. I am 4th generation American, raised by two parents with professional careers, and was trained as a classical musician. I represent another chapter in the Latin@ culture. One that is not bound to old traditions. Some call it selling out, some call it assimilation. I call it living beyond the myth of the pan-Latin@ experience.

I’ve been the ONLY Black kid..

December 19, 2015April 26, 2021 Bamberg, black child, CA, Dryden, El Paso, Freeville, Gary, Germany, Germany (x2), IN, Kelly B. Ferrell, Killeen, nomadic, NY, only, parents, San Pedro, School USA, Schweinfurt, Sterling, TX, USA, VA, Wurzburg

Kelly B. Ferrell
Sterling, VA

As the child of nomadic parents, we lived where we could and/or where my parents found work. At one point in the mid “70s, we lived in up-state NY, outside of Ithaca. We were the only black family in the area (in the county the way I remember it) and I was the only Black child that many of my classmates had ever seen. I went to Freeville Elementary and to Dryden Elementary and I remember being IT. The only time I ever saw Black people were at home. Mrs. Shapiro was my 3rd grade teacher and was the kind that makes such an impression on you that you never forget their name. When tryouts for the Christmas play were over and I was awarded the part of Mrs. Santa, PARENTS complained that I couldn’t possibly play that role as Mrs. Santa was WHITE. Mrs. Shapiro gave me the role in spite of them and I have that photo to this day. That experience shaped the way that I learned to think, speak and even how I learned. We moved after I finished the 3rd grade and ended up in Gary, Indiana. Both the Jacksons and the steel mills were gone and pretty much the entire city was out of work. It was there that I was introduced to all Black schools and neighborhoods. Because I “talked White” I got my behind kicked every day on the way too and from school until I finally learned to stand up for myself. All that being said, I am against segregation in any form. Segregation causes the mind to atrophy. It leads people into thinking that there is only one right way…or only one wrong way. Those who believe themselves superior are acting on an insecurity and a cultivated fear of the unknown and those made to feel inferior have to overcome a toxic self-hatred and crippling self doubt that tends toward negative self-fulfilling prophesies. I personally have found myself most comfortable in environments in the US where no one is in the majority.

Black male in hoodie equals trouble

June 6, 2013 Doug King, El Paso, hoodie, menace to society, prison, Trayvon Martin, trouble, TX

Doug King
El Paso, TX

Popular culture in the black community has done a very good job of portraying young black males as a menace to society good only for killing each other and occupying prison space. Thanks a lot.

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