Preserving Latino community spaces by creating public histories.

An Introduction

My name is Alexandra Medina and I am an graduate student of history at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My research focuses on the history of the Mexican American experience in Texas and supporting the institution of Mexican American history in public discourse.

Many 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation Mexican Americans in Texas yearn to understand more about their history, the unique accomplishments, trials, and tribulations of ancestors, but current public institutions lack the resources or documentation to provide answers. It is imperative that the current generations treat the documentation of the Mexican American experience with urgency before it is too late. This website is dedicated to the documentation of my developing research, findings, and projects.

This study aims to identify patterns and structural flaws that prevent or hinder the creation of public history in Latino communities in West and South Texas, evaluate established Latino public histories by case study, and create documentation that guides grassroots public history projects in Texas. Last, the study will illustrate the importance of preserving and creating public history in Latino communities in West and South Texas on a local and national scale.