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, March 1, 2010

Salt of the Earth:

The story behind the making of the 1954 movie, Salt of the Earth, is a fascinating one.  It is undoubtedly one of the most strange and controversial stories in the history of U.S. film.  It involves prison time, shootings, congressional hearings, death threats, deportations, boycotts, border smuggling, and more!  Check out this link to read a bit more on it.  Here is a picture of the movie's star, the Mexican actress Rosaura Revueltas, in a jail scene with other women picketers.


Even though the movie was blacklisted within the U.S. immediately after its release, it was the recipient of a number of awards at international showings.  Finally, in 1992, it was designated as a national treasure as one of the first movies selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry.
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