Annotated Bibliography

Eric Breuer

University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1301: Rhetoric and Writing Studies 1

Friday, October 27, 2017

 Annotated Bibliography

What were and are living conditions and the main problems of living in the Colonias?
Why are Colonias located on the Borderline?
How have Colonias changed over the time?
How have Colonias integrated themselves to the public live?

Anders, R. L., T. Olson, K. Robinson, J. Wiebe, R. DiGregorio, M. Guillermina, J.

Albrechtsen, N. H. Bean, and M. Ortiz. "A Health Survey of a Colonia Located on the
West Texas, US/Mexico Border." Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health 12, no. 3
(06, 2010): 361-9.

According to the authors, residents of Colonias have to deal with substantial less
income, abuse of alcohol and major health problems. Some of the major health
problems are diabetes, smoking, alcoholism and depressions. Colonias have twice the
rate of diabetes issues compared to the rates of the El Paso County. The exact numbers
are unclear, but it is feared that they are higher than estimated. The well-being of
Colonias will be impaired due to the aforementioned issues like, diabetes, alcoholism
and smoking. The authors purpose of this research, or investigation is it to interview
affected people, to list the the main issues that Colonias have to fight against, and to
mention organizations which have already helped Colonias and are still doing it
nowadays.

Carsey, Dawn Allison. Mexican Immigrants in the Colonias and the Barrio of El Paso
County: A Comparative Analysis of Locus of Control1992, 1992.

The author claims that Colonias are based on two different aspects of locus of control,
internal and external, which estimates rewards and events based on internal or external
causes. One issue that the author addresses is that although new immigrants from
Mexico are coming from a broader mix of educational backgrounds, these people still
remain in the second class labor market with smaller, work related, opportunities.
Another important issue that the author is mentioning is that the learning curve, of
Colonias, of a second language is prevented by technical and social differences. The
main purpose of the study was it to investigate different relationships between the
location and length of the residency, and the difference between external and internal
locus of control.

Chahin, Jaime. "The Forgotten Americans: A Voice for Colonia Residents." Children, Youth
and Environments 15, no. 1 (2005): 319-31.

According to Jaime Chahin, Colonias are communities which are characterized and
destituted by inferior living conditions with ecological and social ramifications. The
main issues that the author is arguing includes harsh living conditions which lead to
great loans that the state has to provide, lacks of water systems, big bond money for
the improvement of the infrastructure, community based organizations are invaluable
assets, and the population growth within Colonias. The authors visited these residents
in those Colonias and investigated the situation of the inferior living conditions which
has an impact on the families as the have to manage the issue of low income and high
unemployment rates.

Colonias : A Third World within our Borders : Hearing before the Select Committee on
Hunger, House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, First Session,
 Hearing Held in Eagle Pass, TX, may 15, 1989Washington : U.S. G.P.O. : U.S.
G.P.O., 1990, 1990.

According to the authors of this federal government document, the government and
also the residents of Colonias have to get involved in the process of developing in the
Colonias. Important steps the government has to do in order to help Colonias are
financial assistance and the increase of federal funds. Issues all authors address are
that Colonias are overwhelmed with lacks of food and contaminated water resources,
health problems, inferior living conditions, and also inadequate disposal systems. The
main purpose of this hearing in Eagle Pass Texas, by a selected committee on hunger,
was it to find ways to help and support Colonias in their lives and in the problems they
have to face.

Davies, Christopher S. and Robert K. Holz. Settlement Evolution of Colonias Along the US-
Mexico Border: The Case of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Vol. 161992.

The argumentation presented by the authors Christopher S. Davies and Robert K. Holz
in their article on the Colonias is supported by details from various areas. Their
research on the colonies and related problems covered the ecology and geographic
distribution, the economic problems of the Colonians, and the environmental and
health problems that are undoubtedly present within Colonias. The researches on the
Colonias have been carried out by Davies and Holz during their employment at the
Geographical Institute of the University of Texas in Austin. Davies and Holz represent
the thesis that the cities and districts cannot solve the problems of the Colonias alone.
Help from Mexico and the United States is needed to solve the problems of the
Colonias and their inhabitants.

Korc, Marcelo. Application of the Water Poverty Index in Border Colonias of West Texas.
[Electronic Resource]2011, 2011.

As stated by Marcelo Korc, Colonias are affected by a lack of water systems, high
costs of water supplies and the disease they have to face due to the low storage
opportunities of their water. Marcelo Korc is stating challenges for Colonias which
includes water poverty. Colonias are not connected to nearby water facilities and have
to collect their own water using drums or they have to buy water from stores. They
also are dependent on delivery trucks filled with fresh, non-contaminated water. A
problem that arises is that the drums, which the residents have to use to collect water,
are often contaminated by various disease. The amount of money the inhabitants have
to pay are incredibly high. The main intention of the study by Korc, was to examine
the quality of water, and sanitations which are desperately needed by Colonias.

Lechuga, Anthony Mark, Jr. Barriers to Disaster Preparedness, Evacuation, and Emergency
Response in the Colonias of El Paso CountyEl Paso, Texas: The University of Texas
at El Paso, 2014, 2014.

As stated by the author, Colonias have to face different challenges in their live, which
consist of, getting attraction from healthcare professionals, and a lack to various basic
resources and utilities. The author is also mentioning the disaster preparedness which
is essential to minimize the negative outcomes. The preparedness includes actions
such as maintaining a supply of medications, storages of water and food, cash savings.
Issues that the author states are lacks of reliable transportation, physical disabilities,
lack of financial resources, and a distrust in government agencies. The intention of the
study, made by the author, was to get attention by government agencies in order to
prepare more effectively for disasters, and to determine the best cues to an emergency
and action communication plan.