Interviewer

Ariana Bailon

Project

Stories from the Chamizal Library

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Summary of Interview

Korina Garcia shares her reflections on the Chamizal area through her interview for the “Stories from the Chamizal” project. In this interview, Garcia discusses her experiences growing up in the Chamizal area of El Paso as a child of Mexican immigrants who were also raised there, including her parents’ and the community’s commitment to preserving their cultural heritage. Although she lived outside the neighborhood (her family was from the El Valle neighborhood), she remembers how her father used to take her and her brother to various events in the area, which helped them stay connected to their cultural roots. Some of Garcia’s memories from the Chamizal neighborhood include attending Music Under the Stars concerts, watching community basketball games at Lincoln Park, and going to productions at the Siglo de Oro theater. These events allowed her and her brother to connect with the rest of the Mexican American community in El Paso through the celebration of the Spanish language, culture, and unity in their neighborhood.

Garcia mentioned that the Chamizal has been a very cultural community that feels distinct from the rest of El Paso and has placed great emphasis on family, art, and community pride. According to her, it was a lively place with lots of interaction among families, like a lot more than in other areas of El Paso. Children played outdoors, families would have gatherings, and the border was accepted as part of life, rather than a black mark against the community. However, Garcia talks about how the community has declined over time due to a lack of funding, loss of community programs, abandoned development projects, and negative stereotypes towards the border and low-to-moderate income communities. Garcia thinks many outsiders falsely categorize the Chamizal as unsafe without appreciating the cultural value and history of that area.

The interview with Garcia reveals her worries over the disconnection between people of different generations and how many of the places that helped bring the community together — such as churches and community organizations — have been closed down or no longer function as they used to. Garcia feels that younger generations are losing the culture of the neighborhood because many of the institutions and events that were designed to connect people are not available anymore. However, Garcia does see some promise in the development of a new library and recreation center, as well as the oral history projects that are designed to preserve the memories of the community. About Mexican-American heritage, Garcia believes the Chamizal is a representation of the cultural heritage, resilience, and pride of Mexican-Americans, and she wants future generations to continue to value and protect the cultural identity of the area.

Date of Interview

5-7-2026

Length of Interview

32.5 minutes

Interview Number

1816

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

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