As a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in Mexico, Jose Vazquez explored the intersections of architecture, identity, and cultural storytelling. His project examined how U.S. architecture both shapes and reflects national narratives, drawing on Michel-Rolph Trouillot’s concept of the “silence of history.” Through discussions ranging from historic memory, to land rights, and climate change, Jose encouraged students to critically engage with the histories embedded in the built environment. By analyzing urban and rural landscapes, together they uncovered stories of resilience, displacement, and transformation, reinforcing architecture’s role as both a tangible structure and a cultural force.