Like many others, I learned of “Ask a Mexican,” a column in the Orange County Weekly, by way of an article in last Sunday’s New York Times:
The column: “Ask a Mexican,” by Gustavo Arellano.
The NYT article: “The Mexican Will See You Now,” by Mireya Navarro.
Apparently there is a difference of opinion as to whether Arellano’s witty and sometimes confrontational writing on the broad topic of Mexican vs. American culture truly serves a useful purpose, but to me, anytime pomposity is punctured, idiocy exposed and sacred cows deflated, it represents progress in human affairs. I’m aware of only one regularly published New Albany writer who is seeking to engage us in such a needed dialogue with respect to the Hispanic/Latino presence in the area: Lillian Rose, local columnist for the Tribune.
Given that we Americans are an enduringly hypocritical lot, and it would be amusing to consider the undisputedly racist underbelly of the current anti-immigration phobia if not for our collective fondness for large-scale amnesia when it comes to attractively priced veggie platters and chef’s salads, it still strikes me that the city of New Albany might find it beneficial to make an effort, however minimal, to recognize its Hispanic/Latino community, which of course leaves unanswered the question of when we’ll come to grips with the African-American community.
After all, it’s the forever somnolent New Albany, where only one progressive act is permitted each century -- more than that, and you must answer to the Committee for Uncomprehended Activities, chaired by the luminous Councilman Crappuccino.
For more insight about a serious topic, consider examining the website of the Hispanic Connection of Southern Indiana.
I think that Lillian Rose's effort is much more effective and respectable.
ReplyDeleteThe Ask A Mexican thing seems extremely reminiscent of the whole who can call who a N***A and who can't, argument that's been going on for years.
I don't know what the solution is, but I don't think that perpetuating one's one stereotypes and then getting mad when others follow suite, is the appropriate route.
Here's the more local question(s):
ReplyDeleteDon't we have a growing immigrant population, many with carpentry skills, who need jobs and places to live?
And don't we also have many historic homes in need of rehab?
Putting those two together could be a bureaucratic mountain but the view from the top would be interesting.
as a young adult serving in the Navy, i was very lucky to have Rota, Spain as my first duty station.
ReplyDeletei was scarred out of my mind, because of stereotypes and idiotic young attitudes that sometimes leads a person with no real world life experience to think...
my first night there, i fell in love about 90 times! motivation to learn spanish allowed me to be able to speak within 3 weeks...lol...however, what i found was a culture that had a big impact of my current attitudes in life.
many of my shipmates did the typical thing...they venture 2 miles off base to the beach or bar and that was it. they might talk to a "buy me a drink" girl, but no real exposure to the culture.
the guys i ran around with all felt that we had a chance in a lifetime to explore a new/old land and man-o-man, did we ever!
Valencia, T-town, Jerez de la Fontera, Cadiz, Sevillia, etc...
the guys that did the normal thing had an attitude that of an typical arrogant attitude that many of the americans take oversees. it's almost as if they treated the spaniards as if they had no education. it was very disturbing..
anyway's...i just feel that in our area, you're going to find that attitudes towards non-u.s. citizens are going to be just like that of those guys that didn't venture out to explore!
This is going to come across as wrong, but it is not in anyway intended to be bad.
ReplyDeleteThe Hispanics who lived across the street from us were the best 25 nieghbors we EVER had!
Always helpful, always kept an eye out on our home when we were not at home, one at least one occassion caught a thief in the act.
The property was always clean, they were quiet, and always polite.
In my college days, I worked a summer at AirGuard (Clarcor) here in New Albany, putting my Spanish skills to use on a line with mostly Mexican workers. They were, by far, some of the best co-workers I ever had. It was insightful to hear their stories and why they were working so far from home (most of them had wives, families, girlfriends, etc. who needed the money they sent back home). Not only did these guys work an 8 hour 2nd shift in the factory, many days they picked strawberries for 8+ hours before work.
ReplyDeleteWhat did the rest of the American co-workers do? Take drugs, do a crappy job, and complain about work. I don't mean to perpetuate the stereotype of the hardworking Mexican migrant, but these fellows left an impression on me I will never forget and helped inspired me to study Latin American history in graduate school.
Many of the "illegals" in this country are here to provide for their families in the best way they can, doing jobs none of us would do. Given a chance, the second and third generations of these folks will go to college and enter the "creative class" that drives our economy. Regardless of what one thinks of the current immigration bills being tossed around, many of the "illegals" deserve our respect.