The Forgotten Americans

A Voice for Colonia Residents

Abstract

This project uses film, photography and youth testimony to document and describe the political and social effects of colonias on families residing on the Texas-Mexico border. The term colonia refers to an unincorporated settlement or community along the Texas-Mexico border that is sustained by inhabitants as opposed to municipalities. These communities are impoverished and characterized by substandard living conditions with social and ecological ramifications.

During an 18-month period, we filmed the documentary The Forgotten Americans. We documented issues involving housing, water, infrastructure, community organizations, selfhelp initiatives, education, and political jurisdictions along the Texas-Mexico border. In addition, we provided cameras and darkroom classes to 100 middle school students residing in colonias in El Paso and Monte Alto, Texas. We selected ten students from both regions to testify before a U.S. Congressional committee on the living and health conditions in colonias.

The film premiered at the Smithsonian Museum in March of 2000 and was shown on PBS in December of 2000 and October 2001. We developed a curriculum to accompany the film that included three instructional units involving colonias, community organizations, and towns.