Juan y David, Segundo barrio, El Paso, Texas / summer 2006

Juan y David, Segundo barrio, El Paso, Texas / summer 2006

Spring and summer of 2006.

“Revolution,” in the streets. Faux Revolution? Revolt. Spurt of protest? Quien sabe?

Remember? The immigration demonstrations and walk outs? David and Juan both walked out of Bowie High School, El Paso’s south side school, historically the school of Chicanisimo.

First, in early late February and early March, there were two walkouts from the high schools to protest the impending immigration bill in the Congress. Later, in March, came Ceasar Chavez Day. By then, the movement was losing its energy. The schools had clamped down on and imposed penalties on teachers who encouraged the students and the students themselves were not as inclined to participate in the more establishment Chavez Day.

By summer there was little energy left for the opposition to the Bill. The point had been mde. The Media, concentrating on the Mexican Flag (often displayed) and the seeming joy of the students (teenagers? Inherent joy?) They must not know what they’re doing! Right?

In the end, the moment of rebellion was followed by a year of conservative opposition to any immigration reform. Reform was dead. Back to the shadows. Students…back to your classrooms to be bludgeoned.

At the time, I discussed, with the late and great artist Luis Jimenez, the marginalization of the students by the media, who had been focusing on the idea that the students were just playing “hooky” and didn’t know what they were doing (except getting an afternoon off).

“They know,” he responded, “that they (Congress/Establishment) are trying to deport their parents.”

Yeah.