What are 'Borderlands Narratives'?

Narratives are stories: stories we hear, stories we tell others, stories we tell ourselves. Sometimes these stories are old ones, and may sound familiar. Sometimes these stories are brand new, stories that have emerged in our own lifetimes. The stories we will discuss on this site are stories of and about the Mexican-U.S. borderlands, that frontier zone in which people live, work, and play. We will be responding to our sources and to each other's views on this site, and we invite YOU to join us in our discussions and explorations.

A disclaimer: We are not experts! In addition to reading (or viewing) this collection of narratives for the first time, we are all in the process of learning about this unique cultural space and its history. Please use caution when reading OUR narratives, and make sure to cite us: http://www.borderlandsnarratives.blogspot.com/

This blog has been constucted by Professor Geneva M. Gano's American Studies class at Indiana University, Bloomington, in Spring 2010 and Spring 2011. Responses to our posts are welcomed!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Pachuco Style

Américo Paredes' novel George Washington Gómez features a scene in which Guálinto finds himself lost in the Jonesville barrio.  While there, he becomes involved in a knife fight with Chucho Vázquez, a real pachuco.  He also attends a baile, where he falls in love, fleetingly, with the fifteen-year-old quinceañera, Mercedes.  "These were his people, the real people he belonged with," he thinks.

Below, a link to Pachuco José, who shows off his fancy footwork.

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