Embarking on the Journey to Make Julian
The idea of home and what that signifies is fluid--always changing. For me, when I think of home, I think of El Paso--of the desert--of the sun and the warm embrace of my mother. I think of my mother roasting serrano peppers on the stove, of her weathered, working hands rolling up a torrtilla while it's still warm and telling me to eat it before it gets cold. My idea of home has changed significantly since I have been living in California for the past several years. This film, in many ways, is my way of returning home and preserving the legacy of struggle that my family continues to face. Even though I am documented, there are members of my family that are not--these contradictions continue to mold and shape my identity in a variety of ways. I was the first in my family to go to college--a privilege I do not take lightly. Accordingly, in many ways, I grapple with these contradictions on a daily basis. Bracero aims to honor my grandfather and my family's personal history and legacy. In many ways, it's my small way of thanking them for their sacrifice and courage. I would not be who I am today if it weren't for their resilience. If you are not aware of the Bracero program, please take a moment to check out the Oral History Project at the University of Texas at El Paso that pays tribute to the Bracero legacy in the US: http://braceroarchive.org/
