El Paso Texas is a very old border city with Mexico that is like a separate country. It is located at the western tip of Texas, isolated from its nearest neighboring large city Odessa by a good four hours. The city has a unique culture comprised of elements from Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas.
Legend has it that this was the first place in the United States where Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1598. This wild wild west town grew out of two important elements Fort Bliss and the madams who ran saloons to wet the whistle of the soldiers and cowboys and of course to service them.
The Spanish explorers built the original city, so Hispanics have always been the majority to the current level of 76%. Racism towards Hispanics is almost non existent due to the long standing interdependence of both races. It has great Mexican food and great weather that makes it an ideal retirement destination.
A decade of living and working in this Hispanicity gave me a preview of what America could be like.
1. Hispanics are found at every socio-economic strata.
2. Political representation is closer to the general demographic.
3. The city is bilingual.
4. Hispanic culture is woven into the fabric of the city.
5. Corporate America has relocated there to service the large national growing Hispanic market.
6. The city has a very large percentage of mixed ethnic marriages.
7. Racism is minimal because people have worked out conflict for hundreds of years.
People in El Paso have discovered long ago that life is to be lived and enjoyed to the end.
