If I have one dream as a writer, it's to be published in Texas Monthly. That stupid magazine has been a part of my life for the better part of 20 years now. One month I hate them, the next month they totally redeem themselves. Although, since I've moved to DC, I generally only get 10 of 12 issues. That's okay, they do a Willie Nelson profile every other issue so I figure I'm not missing too much. One issue I did get was the February 2013 "Cities Issue," that features El Paso (among others).
It should be noted that I am forever jealous of Sito Negron for having published work in Texas Monthly. He did a great job - deserved that accolade.
This month's issue was stowed away behind numerous New Yorker and Week Standard magazines on my dresser for a few weeks. Knowing that El Paso was featured as one of six of the biggest Texas cities in the magazine made me nervous. I desperately wanted it to be an indictment on the rest of the state's ignorance to your greatness, but could not bring myself to find out until last Sunday. I figured since I was traveling back to El Paso for my mother's 60th, I'd figure out what they said and how I would feel about it before I got there. Well, it didn't go well.... for you.
With the entire state intently staring at you on stage you did what you always do - lead with the charges of racism, follow with the poverty, sprinkle in some Chico Tacos, declare pride in your poverty and close with some more racism accusations. I couldn't have been more disgusted with the result if they'd simply printed an piece declaring the entire city's population deniers of the Holocaust.
Here's the breakdown.
First of all, Texas Monthly spends a lot of words describing you as forgotten and unwanted. That was not nice. However, the fact that out of all the contributors picked to write about El Paso exactly zero of them are a full-time resident of El Paso was quite embarrassing. Not only is El Paso the land that God (and Texas) forgot, they don't even have a full-time village idiot to tell their story. The city relies on expats who know only a little of what they are talking about.
The first, and featured piece, is by Dagoberto Gilb. Dagoberto admits immediately that he doesn't currently live in El Paso, but did for a while a very long time ago (a thousand years ago). Dagoberto is an extremely abstract writer whose style is very hard to follow, but you can glean at least one single clear point from his missive - his favorite memory of El Paso takes place 100 miles east of El Paso... Yeah, his greatest moment in El Paso, didn't have anything to do with El Paso. He was enjoying El Capitan when some German chick called El Paso the "armpit of Texas." That's his entire story. Oh, wait - when he was a El Capitan he was actually trying to get to Ft. Davis or Marfa or Big Bend - anywhere but El Paso. What a nice piece about El Paso.
Debbie Nathan, the part-time El Pasoan who carries Four Names Allala's tainted water, took her crack at the city next. She claims that the 2006 downtown revitalization plan was brought by rich white guys who were going to raze Segundo Barrio (the only place in El Paso worth visiting if you read these articles) with the residents still in their homes. She fails to explain how that didn't happen even though the plan was passed by council. Either she's lying or she's lying - you take your pick.
Not content getting the downtown plan situation wrong, she blames the Glass Beach presentation based on polling on the city and PDN as if they invented the results just to piss people off. Here again she gets all the facts completely wrong in her playing of the race card.
She does work in Four Names Allala into the conversation and even an outsider has to question how she alone fits with the story. Nathan ends by admitting that the voters of El Paso called bullshit on each of her points in the November election and thus negates her entire bullshit article. I mean, she really got all the facts wrong - just like an outsider listening to only one side of the story would.
Next up is Jazmine Ulloa a reporter for the Austin American Statesman who at one time lived in El Paso, but does not live there now. She is tasked with the obligatory Chico's Tacos story that serves to seal any stranger's view that El Paso is a complete hell hole that is not to be visited, much less cared about. Then she paints the place as a homophobic petri dish growing hate and gets the whole story wrong trying to prove her point.
She claims that Chico's "downtown location" had police throw out two gay men for kissing. First of all, the Chico's location right next to Blackie Chesser Park is not "downtown" and the incident didn't take place there either. Secondly, the cops didn't kick the men out, a security guard did and there's a lot of speculation over whether it was the kissing or their overall drunken behavior that led to their booting from the premises. The controversy was really aimed at the rookie cop who claimed there was a law against men kissing that could get them arrested. And she fails to mention that one of the gay kissers has a history of starting these kind of problems. Bottom line - she got the name of the eatery right and the description of the food. The rest just kills El Paso for no reason.
The next article is from Christine Granados and she waxes poetic about Album Park and you have to wonder what the hell she was thinking and why Texas Monthly thought this was a pertinent narrative about El Paso.
Finishing up the debacle is David Dorado Romo - a resident of New Mexico who happens to have an expertise on Segundo Barrio that nobody really cares about. Of course, Romo highlights a mural that 99 percent of El Paso has never seen nor heard of. As Debbie Nathan rang the racism bell for a stereotypical portrayal of Latinos, Romo was solidifying that notion with his idea that murals are on every corner of every Latino community - especially in El Paso. It's just gawdawful and not at all helpful.
Not a single flattering thing was written about El Paso while other cities enjoyed the riches of literary praise. The stark contrast of the stories told about each city compared to El Paso was shocking. Hell, most of the stories about El Paso were about Juarez or some place other than El Paso. It is just sad. Texas Monthly couldn't find a single current El Paso resident to tell the story and the people they did find just shit all over the city. You can't win for losing my friends... I'll see you tomorrow (which is likely today given the time of day I'm writing this).
I could come up with one good thing to say about El Paso (and the Big Bend, too) that no one else considered, and it is that the area has a high tolerence for eccentrics. In fact it kind of relishes them, even it it doesn't like them.
You think of Lisa and Rick and Gil and Bobby Byrd and Teresa and Steph and David...where else would people like this get a soapbox to stand on.
Except on this board, of course, what with the woody-whiners, Rotary and the other inside-the-box folks who don't know what they're missing. I have to say that this is the only thing I genuinely admire about El Paso and it is unique among the places I have lived.
Posted by: Rotten Peppers | February 20, 2013 at 10:21 PM
THIS IS WHY I TELL EVERYONE, I AM NOT FROM TEXAS. I AM FROM EL PASO. This is a beautiful city. Drive over the mountain along Alabama. Over to old NE and then come back over Senic and the Kern Area. There is so much that is Great about this City and we are in a league of its own. F Texas.
Posted by: M Morales | February 20, 2013 at 11:16 PM
As much as I love this city, it hurts to admit that El Paso really is a second or third tier city.
Posted by: Moose Balls | February 21, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Some are just realizing now that EL Paso is a third tier city.Amazing!The only thing to change this is to spend our money on upgrading the education and skill levels of our local citizens.Nope that not going to happen then local government may really be held accountable.
A ball park will save you and bring the development needed and take taxation off the back of the home owners to the business sector.To funny,ain't going to happen!Keep the majority dumb down and ignorant you can screw them and steal their hard earned tax dollars every time. And this is the truth many will not face up to in El Paso.
Do not get me wrong I love El Paso just hate it's screwed up local government!
Posted by: Thomas | February 21, 2013 at 05:12 PM
Always the doubting Thomas and always assuming the worst of people. Very sad.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 21, 2013 at 09:16 PM
Josie Bustos
No,what is sad is so many here delude themselves that local government is otherwise but keep cling to the belief its all good not matter what fact give proof of the truth.Five to 10 years down the line the truth will be unavoidable and many will not like the out comes.
Posted by: Thomas | February 21, 2013 at 11:01 PM
Thomas: You can’t spell, you can’t punctuate, you can’t write a coherent sentence. You must be one of those dumbed down citizens you complain about. Your negativity makes me doubt that you like El Paso or that you like much of anything at all. What you really seem to like is complaining.
And about El Paso – I admit it is hard to love but many of us die-hard residents are very happy here, despite our city’s shortcomings. But I think things are changing. There is a new sense of optimism and progress that Texas Monthly writers totally missed.
Posted by: Phoenix daughter | February 22, 2013 at 01:00 AM
Very well written, Phoenix daughter. There are those that continually bash everything around us yet do nothing to better El Paso. Yet, when others try to do good for the city, they slander them and accuse them of being corrupt. I would hate to have to live with someone like that. So much negativity is draining.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 22, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Yes,Phoenix daughter I am a bad typist and who appointed you the spelling and grammar Police?Seem you understood clearly what I posted!
"new sense of optimism", horse shit and deep at that.Where are my boots it's getting deep.Rememeber you have the option not to read anything I post but you keep on reading them. I wonder why?
As to you Josie Bustos,I have slandered no one and now it is up to you to show the world were I have slandered one person.You do not understand the legal meaning of the word slander.Then again in your poste you did slander me.As a citizen,just maybe you forgot, I have the right to speak out against my government when I believe they are doing things wrong.As with PD stop reading my post it is that easy but you do and you will every time.
Posted by: Thomas | February 22, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Did I say you, Thomas? Not at all. You have the right to your negativity. Of course, you lie about people all the time and always ASS-U-ME the worst of others. You must have a sad, miserable life. You don't like what we post? Don't read it. Because last I knew, this is David's blog, not yours. Therefore, he calls the shots, not you. I truly hope you find some happiness in your life so you stop assuming the worst of everything and everybody.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 22, 2013 at 03:47 PM
Josie Bustos
What lies? See you can say such thing but proof seems to always be missing.You have zero proof I lied about anything.Time to put up or shut up.Every time I have posted anything wrong or not true I man up and say I am wrong.Then again the same cannot said about others. I would almost put money on it that I gave no more than a opinion and which is my right to what I believe.Do not read my post if they piss you off so bad.Real easy!So show proof or once again you slandered me which is no big deal with me.
Posted by: Thomas | February 22, 2013 at 04:18 PM
Simmer down, Thomas.
It never ceases to amaze me that people who are always 'so right' in their thinking, are always the one who are the most pissed off! Your panties are in a wad about being here, about the ballpark, about what a shithole El Paso is? Then go away. Why would anyone decide to live in a place they hate?
Life is too short, Norma - sorry - Thomas. Go drink your 'cafecito' and commiserate with the other looney tunes gang about all the corruption that you are sure is roiling under the surface, but you can never seem to find. Thank God you people aren't in law enforcement. You're the worst detectives ever! However, you do make excellent backporch dogs - always chasing your tails and never accomplishing anything!
Now, be gone with you! Your harshing my National Margarita Day buzz!
Posted by: been in the CV for 15 years | February 22, 2013 at 07:03 PM
CV, he posts all over the place and never has a nice thing to say about anyone in government nor anyone who does not think the way he does. I remember reading someplace that he does not even live in the city. I really do feel sorry for him and wonder what has happened to him that makes him so angry and distrustful of everyone.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 22, 2013 at 08:23 PM
Josie, come on now. You of all people criticise everyone. People just visit her Facebook page and you will see that she posts nothing good about anyone. Josie you are a hypocrite and have no right to act otherwise. Thomas is stating an opinion just as you are so let it be. Why can't you just be nice for a change. If someone is not on your bandwagon then they are against you. Grow up Missy!!!!
Posted by: Notary Public/LC | February 22, 2013 at 09:13 PM
CV
I am not pissed if I was you and others would know the difference.
Josie Bustos I only post two place now David K and Paul's forum.I did post on Jaime's blog and Brownfield but they are no more.I have good reason to distrust local government and have the docs to back up the reason for the distrust.I know somethings that less than a hand full of people know about some in El Paso government.No matter what proof others and you turn a blind eye when you think it's working in your favor.So play blind and dumb but do not bitch when things do not work out as promised.Some big promises have been made and others and you are going to be sad faced when you find out you have been played.Then we will have to listen to how you were played and screwed.So enjoy your blind bliss of enlightment.
Posted by: Thomas | February 23, 2013 at 12:22 AM
Hey, stalker who thinks they are important because they are a notary, you can't see ANY postings on my Facebook because it is private. So stop lying and stop stalking. You are one sick individual - apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 23, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Josie you are lying to yourself again. I am certainly notch stalker but a person who tells the truth. Whats the matter I struck a nerve? Please everyone visit her page for yourself. Josie is a negative person and likes to criticise others and yes your apple fell off your tree and split in half.
Posted by: Notary Public/LC | February 23, 2013 at 01:24 PM
So proud to be a notary which means nothing, you are crazy. Get a life. I notice you don't use your real name. Probably so people can't report your stalking.
Posted by: Josie Bustos | February 23, 2013 at 05:39 PM
David Romo is a jerk. Didn't he knock up his assistant while his wife was pregnant?
Posted by: rich black guy | February 23, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Dear rich black guy,
I found your comments troubling. I've met David Romo. Clearly you have not. The idea that he could get two women to lower their standards enough to sleep with him is simply impossible.
Posted by: tBusch | February 24, 2013 at 03:09 PM
Eeee, this was a dumb post. You thought Gilb's beautiful and powerful piece about my hometown was not about it??? Do you read? Or is that abstract? Someone living by the ocean shouldn't talk about the beach. It was a loving defense of Chuco, sir, and he's one of the city's and state's best writers. Not shabby but not up to your standards. The problem with Chuco is people like you who think defending it against a power structure thatdoesn't really care about the people who live in it. Nathan's was informative, Ulloa's was light and journalistic with yes the downtown Chico's wrong, Romo's was some cool history. Look how many Latinos represent! Whatever. I went to UT because that's where Texas is. Some of us want our own to not have to leave like they do, which it sounds like you did too but that's ok for your criticism. Some of us love it there even when we are away.
Posted by: tejano de chuco | February 26, 2013 at 12:56 PM
tejano de chuco,
if you read as well as you write, then you didn't undersand the article. You ARE El Paso in its purist form. You are holding the city back.
Posted by: David K | February 26, 2013 at 05:50 PM
I love El Paso.
Posted by: David | February 26, 2013 at 07:14 PM
I have to agree, begrudgingly, with David K here. And you can ask him how many times I've outright insulted and demeaned his opinions.
These Texas Monthly stories were pathetic insofar as they contained virtually ZERO positive spin on El Paso or actual information.
At least find someone who LIVES THERE NOW to write this stuff!!! We don't have the benefit of exposure like Houston, DFW, Austin and San Antonio.
Posted by: Mike | February 27, 2013 at 02:30 AM
@tejanodelchuco:
"It was a loving defense of Chuco, sir, and he's one of the city's and state's best writers"
He doesn't even live in El Paso or the state of Texas. Last I read, he lives in California. But regardless, he is not in El Paso.
As someone who has lived there for more than 30 years of my (39 year) life, I'd be glad to do a story on it. And with no journalistic credentials to speak of, I could do a much better job of conveying actual information.
Posted by: Mike | February 27, 2013 at 02:32 AM