Valeria

 The border and its external stereotypes by Valeria Barajas Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about something that I find bothersome, but that few people question: how our border community is presented in the media, in other words, our image to the world. Many reports and news outlets portray us as a violent place, full of crime and insecurity. And it's true that the border community has an enormous cultural richness, yet the media doesn't reflect it. Our community has many positive aspects as a community: communication groups, support groups, and social media platforms that help us stay connected and share information. From information about the famous Trolley and its safety, to recommendations for cafes and events. We know how to take advantage of binational life . Living between two cultures broadens your perspective on the world and gives us a unique identity. However, there's much you could improve. Media outlets outside our community only portray the border as a pr...

The infinite lines to cross by Valeria Barajas Hello everyone! If, like me, you've also crossed the border between Tijuana and San Diego, you know that crossing is a real challenge. The question, "Como está la línea hoy?" is part of our routine, however, the crossing has become very complicated as well as overwhelming. Currently, one of the biggest challenges for those of us who cross the border is the endless wait times to cross. What used to be 30-minute lines have become hours-long crossings, during which we wish we were sleeping. According to the article 'Devastating' wait times at Mexico border strain California small businesses, “regular border crossers say wait times are going up, not down. Waits that used to last 30 minutes to an hour on weekdays can now regularly take three to four hours. On several days last December, pedestrians waited six hours or more…” Those who don't cross often might think it's crazy, but those of us who do know it's re...

 Border Community  By Valeria Barajas Hello again! Today I want to talk to you about a discourse community to which I belong and which has shaped my identity, the bilingual border community. A community of hundreds of people who live, study, work, and navigate across two countries, two cultures, two languages, and two different routines. This community is considered a discursive community because we all share common goals, the same ways of communicating, the same experiences, and a collective identity. Our goal is often the same: to live life between Mexico and the United States, adapting and thriving, while maintaining both cultures. The members of this community share the experience of crossing the border several times a week; many do so daily, whether for school, family, or work reasons. And we all understand the challenges and opportunities that come with being part of two such different worlds. We share Spanglish as a form of communication, a language that blends Englis...