Life on the Border: 1950s & 1960s

By Ruth E. Vise

Drawing by Tony Barron

Only a few of my students were even alive in the 1960s, as much less the 1950s, but they have had a good time discovering how different and yet how alike these decades were to present day life in America and in El Paso. My English students have educated themselves and me about many subjects, and I thank them for the new knowledge and their hard work.

In researching these decades for their English 3112 research projects, students have discovered that some young people of their parents' generation rebelled against authority, too. In the 1950s, El Paso had its teen gangs, but in the 1960s, the protests against the Vietnam War heated up, and the fight for the equality for women and minorities became intense.

Some of my students were startled to realize that their parents were raised with rock 'n' roll. Generations are supposed to like totally different kinds of music. That rock music has been around for over 40 years is hard to fathom for parents. For all generations, we have articles on both early rock and the perennial disc jockey, Steve Crosno.

Many students were shocked to discover that El Paso's public schools and some accommodations were segregated in the 1950s, and that Texas Western College, now UTEP, did not admit blacks until 1955. Happily, that has changed. One of the joys of living in El Paso is the wonderful mix of nationalities we have here, the sound of many languages in the air at shopping centers and other public areas, the different colors and shades of skin and eyes and hair.

Politically, the faces have also changed. A quick look at the roster of city and county officials shows that several ethnic groups are represented, and women have also taken their rightful places in government. Various articles in the year's Borderlands detail the political changes in El Paso in the past 40 years.

This year I have had the great pleasure of working with two talented, enthusiastic editors, Sandra Pierce and Rosemary Hoy. They searched all over for little-known facts, photographs and individuals reputed to know just what we needed for particular stories. They wrote and rewrote, working weekends and spring break with unfailing good humor. Sandra, you've turned into editor par excellence. And Rosemary, welcome to Borderlands! Thanks to both of you for making my semester so enjoyable. I value your friendship.

My thanks also to Tony Barron, our artist for the past two years. Tony's oil pastel entitled "Pineapples," entered in EPCC's 17th Annual Student Art Exhibition, graced the cover of the exhibit's catalogue. We are thrilled that he agreed to illustrate several articles and draw our cover. Thanks, Tony!

Big THANK-YOUs go to my colleagues, Jim Stowe and Joe Old, who read and edit all these articles each year just because they are good guys. You're the best, Jim and Joe!

Our staff and English Department thank the El Paso Times for its continued support of our writing students by inserting Borderlands into this Sunday edition.

Finally, I thank my friends and family, especially my daughter, April Lee, who always supports my work with Borderlands. Congratulations on all your achievements this year, April.

Now, El Paso, pour a cup of coffee, and enjoy our latest issue of Borderlands.

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