2 - Gas Bath Riots

What would you say is one of the most polarizing political conversations of today? Climate change?Abortion? The wall? “The Wall” has been a major talking point for President Trump and one of his favorite go-to chants at rallies. Trump most recently made headlines for diverting billions of dollars intended for military construction projects in order to finance this wall. But Americans didn’t always care so much about Mexicans crossing the border. Both sides used to cross willy nilly without much of a care. In today’s episode, we’ll explore the beginnings of our history with the Mexican border.

If you would like to know more, David Dorado Romo wrote a great book titled “Ringside Seat to A Revolution: An Underground Cultural History of El Paso and Juarez, 1893-1923” where he details how his great Aunt lived through the baths at the border. Other resources used were NPR’s article titled “The Bath Riots: Indignity Along the Mexican Border” and History Channel’s article “The Violent History of the U.S. – Mexico Border” on their website.