Change on the Border

By Ruth Vise, Faculty Editor and Advisor

Drawing by Tony Barron

This year I asked my English 3112 students to research topics on social and cultural change during the second half of the 20th century.

Although students were given an opportunity to delve into changes in popular culture, most opted to research significant movements such as civil rights, gender roles, environmental concerns and changes in family structure. Thus we have articles on Special Olympics, women's sports, home schooling, single fathers and stepfamilies.

Other students concentrated on topics of particular interest to the border such as Cesar Chávez and his influence, ASARCO and El Paso's environment, Hispanics in films and TV and the renovation of downtown El Paso.

One article discusses changes in an aspect of popular culture -- the comic strip and comic books, a topic which would not have been complete without an interview with El Paso's own Tom Moore, who was associated with Archie Comics for about 35 years and who now is my colleague at El Paso Community College. He is one of our local treasures, and so we treat out readers to a bit of Tom Moore's comic art in the form of an autobiographical strip.

Students researched their topics in area libraries in print and electronic sources. All students learned to access the Internet and interview local experts on their topics. Regardless of their topic, they learned about the place they live in and the people they live with. They discovered that their hometown has an exciting history and is home to people who make a difference, both here and in the nation. Students were fascinated to find how important El Paso is to the rest of the country and even other countries. All articles have a border connection, so readers can see how topics of national importance also impact this part of the nation. Students were encouraged to illustrate their papers with drawings or photographs.

The Borderlands staff and I then turn these academic research papers into feature articles, which I send to other EPCC instructors for further editing. Two stalwarts, James Stowe and Joe Old, take on the task of meticulously editing these articles. Despite a lot of whining and complaining about how abused they are (they get no pay for editing), they show up year after year for editing duty, blue pencils in hand. So to Jim and Joe, I say THANK YOU! I appreciate not only your hard work and editing suggestions, but your incomparable sense of humor. There, satisfied? Now quit badmouthing me on e-mail.

Thanks also to my editor, Sandra Pierce, who had to assume the duties of the assistant editor as well this year. Sandra has done a great job, writing, researching, photographing and keeping me on task. Artist Tony Barron again displays his talent with the cover and other illustrations. Thank you, Tony. We will miss you when you graduate this year.

Thanks go also to my daughter April who always supports our efforts at Borderlands and who every spring patiently waits until I look up from my computer to ask a question or make a comment. A heartfelt thanks goes to Jeanne Foskett, Arts & Communication Division Chair, who has enthusiastically promoted this project for the past several years. We are grateful to the El Paso Times which continues to support our student writing by inserting Borderlands in a Sunday edition. Finally, thanks to our readers who let us know each year how we're doing. Enjoy Borderlands 1997 !

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