Brownsville Undercurrents
Lizzie MacWillie, Kelsey Menzel, Jesse Miller, and Josué Ramirez introduce the Rio Grande Valley’s vibrant communities and contested histories.
Brownsville, Texas
The Children's Parade marches down Elizabeth Street in downtown Brownsville during the annual Charro Days, a multi-day festival which has celebrated local cultures and traditions since 1938. Credit: Jesse Miller
Introduction
Features
Organizing for Infrastructure
Martha Sanchez offers insight into community organizing around infrastructure needs.
Infrastructure
Brownsville West Rail Corridor Study: Designing Public Space in the 21st Century
Edna Ledesma advocates for participatory design in the context of a rail-to-trail conversion.
Public Space
The Threat of Fracked Gas Exports in the Rio Grande Valley
Bekah Hinojosa campaigns against the development of fracked gas pipelines and terminals.
Environment
Challenging the Popular Narrative and Improving Health Outcomes in the Rio Grande Valley
Amanda Davé explores a community health initiative in the Rio Grande Valley.
Health
Local Chronic Financial Illness
Zoraima Diaz-Pineda discusses the relationship between poverty and policy in Brownsville.
Work & Economy
A Reflection on Gender Roles and Health
Dr. Dolly Sevier considers how culture and the built environment influence health outcomes.
Health
Planning the Infrastructure of the Digital Economy
Jordana Barton writes about the need to improve Brownsville’s digital infrastructure.
Infrastructure
cdcb: A Unique Community Development Model
Nick Mitchell-Bennett and Edna Oceguera describe a holistic approach to financial well-being and affordable housing.
Environment
Racist Symbols in Public Space
Chloe Dotson reflects on what is and isn’t memorialized in the Rio Grande Valley.
Public Space
Decolonizing Public Space to Reflect an Evolving Region
Artist collective Las Imaginistas reimagine public space, advocacy, and urban planning.
Public Space
Decolonizando el espacio público para reflejar una región en evolución
La colectiva artística Las Imaginistas reinventa el espacio público, el activismo y la planeación urbana.
Public Space
Taller de Permiso / Permission Workshop
ChristinaMaria Xochitlzihuatl Patiño Houle chronicles an initiative examining street vendor regulation.
Work & Economy
Taller de permiso
ChristinaMaria Xochitlzihuatl Patiño Houle explora una iniciativa que examina las regulaciones de vendedores ambulantes.
Work & Economy
A Roadmap
Lizzie MacWillie, Kelsey Menzel, Jesse Miller, and Josué Ramirez suggest what is needed for Brownsville to flourish.
Events
January 13, 2021
Understanding the Past/Documenting the Present/Imagining the Future
Event
Understanding the Past/Documenting the Present/Imagining the Future
An introduction to the League’s American Roundtable project.
January 13, 2021
April 9, 2021
American Roundtable: Brownsville Undercurrents, Texas
Event
Brownsville Undercurrents, Texas
Editors Lizzie MacWillie, Jesse Miller, Josué Ramirez and report contributors Amanda Davé, Zoraima Diaz-Pineda, Edna Ledesma and ChristinaMaria Xochitlzihuatl Patiño Houle present the report Brownsville Undercurrents and discuss key themes and findings.
April 9, 2021
More about this Report
Editors: Lizzie MacWillie, Kelsey Menzel, Jesse Miller, and Josué Ramirez
Contributors: Jordana Barton, Bere Cruz Marquez, Amanda Davé, Zoraima Diaz-Pineda, Chloe Dotson, Ruben Garza, Veronica Gaona, Bekah Hinojosa, Edna Ledesma, Lizzie MacWillie, Kelsey Menzel, Jesse Miller, Nick Mitchell-Bennett, Edna Oceguera, ChristinaMaria Xochitlzihuatl Patiño Houle, Josué Ramirez, Martha Sanchez, and Dolly Sevier
Q&A: Brownsville, Texas
An interview with report editors Lizzie MacWillie, Kelsey Menzel, Jesse Miller, and Josué Ramirez.
Related