Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: An in-between region, characterised by a distinctively rich culture, where Spanglish is spoken daily and Dollars are exchanged for Pesos; where driving to "the south side of town" implies crossing a border, where traditions blend and combine; and where decades of territorial disputes gave birth to a transnational and hybrid 'connecting membrane' between the United States and Mexico. 1 I would firstly like to thank my supervisor, Tobias, for guiding me through this journey.It was a real pleasure to work together on this topic, repeatedly getting lost in conversations on the ethical and moral meanings behind borders and walls.I'd like to thank the 'gatekeeper' of this thesis: Oscar.A border-native, born in Brownsville who currently works as writer.He introduced me to the reality of the US southern border and helped me get in touch with potential interviewees.Then, I am extremely grateful to the 11 Brownsvillians who agreed to be interviewed for this project.Their precious and valuable opinions shaped my research and opened my eyes to a reality that was foreign to me until then.Lastly, I'd like to thank anyone, from family to friends, who have supported me during the past months.Caption: The end of the current border fence, located East of Brownsville, TX (Photo: Gabriele Dellisanti) "The US-Mexico borderlands are among the most misunderstood places on earth […].They are staunchly independent and composed of many cultures with hybrid loyalties."
Author: Gabriele Dellisanti
Language: English
Subfield: Cultural Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2920742346