#hist416 The book shows that social order in the borderlands was not controlled only by police or government officials. Informal leaders like curanderos also shaped community behavior and belief systems.
@acabrera1
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@laura_miles You highlight an important point about how wide and diverse Urrea’s following was. Attracting Indigenous groups and Spiritists shows she crossed cultural and belief boundaries. From a law enforcement perspective, influence across different communities increases social power and legitimacy, especially when trust in formal institutions is limited.
@laura_miles Living near Nogales and El Paso definitely makes these stories feel more real and personal. Your point about easy border crossing before 1924 highlights how different the enforcement environment was at that time. From a law enforcement perspective, limited border controls allowed ideas, people, and influence to move freely, which helped figures like Urrea expand their reach.
@laura_miles I like how you point out that the advertisements feel both beautiful and haunting. That mix of purity and sensationalism shows how media can shape public perception while still romanticizing certain ideas. From a law enforcement view, media presentation often influences how communities understand events, authority, and even legitimacy.
@laura_miles You make a strong connection between their desperation and the moment they received their “don.” That shared experience likely made their convictions feel more powerful and meaningful to their communities. From a law enforcement perspective, deep personal conviction can increase influence and loyalty among followers, even when formal institutions do not recognize that authority.
@laura_miles You make a good point about both Urrea and Jaramillo receiving their “don” during illness or unconscious visions. That pattern likely made their experiences seem legitimate within their culture. From a law enforcement view, shared origin stories can strengthen community trust in informal leaders, even when official institutions question their authority.
#hist416 Much of what we know about these figures comes from government records and newspapers. This reminds us that law enforcement records may not always show the full story of a community.
#hist416 Race and discrimination played a big role during this time. Mexican and Indigenous communities often had limited protection under the law, which increased their dependence on community healers.
#hist416 Many poor and marginalized people trusted curanderos because they felt ignored or mistreated by officials. This shows how lack of trust in institutions can lead communities to rely on alternative systems.