Interview with Chihuahua vatos Conducted while Walking Around the City
This oral history, conducted in Tijuana and Chihuahua, Mexico, contains interviews with different individuals Dr. Cummings encountered while walking around the two cities. She first speaks to a group of cholas in Tijuana. The next interview was conducted five days later in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Dr. Cummings first speaks with a twenty-one-year-old taxi driver, who explains some elements of cholo style and its connection to the pachucos. She then talks with a young man named Luis on the street. He explains some characteristics of cholo style–including hair, shoes, and clothes--but mentions that police often target people who look like cholos, which has reduced the number of people dressing that way. Luis discusses come of the confrontations or “broncas” between people from different barrios that he has witnessed and explains how fights break out. He talks about some additional cultural aspects beyond style, including slang, nicknames, handshakes, hand signs, and tattoos. He also talks about Cholas, their manner of dress, and their involvement in the barrios.