September 2010
Becoming Bicultural
A monthly column on Hispanic Heritage and Culture by
Richard CampbellAuthor of "Two Eagles in the Sun"
We’re closer, but not there yet
Editor’s note:?This is one of Richard Campbell’s favorite columns, so we are re-running it to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.
A couple of years ago the “Albuquerque Journal” published an article by Dale Auten, a business management expert and researcher. The article, apparently from some survey, provided lists of how Anglo Americans see their Hispanic American neighbors, how Hispanics see their Anglo American neighbors, and how Latinos see each other. When I finished reading the article, I thought, there is a future “El Paso Scene” article. A request for permission to publish the work brought no reply. Therefore, let us hope silence means permission given. For sure, these snapshots are very broad-brushed and wide open to exceptions. These descriptions are not a serious, academic, technical, sociological report. The critical word is “see.” Also, the use of “Americans” is the author’s, not mine. Aren’t Hispanics also Americans?
How do Americans see Hispanics?
• Religion: slavish, vaguely pagan (an
ill-informed minority report)
• Food: hot and fattening
• Money: not enough
• Children: too many
• Pets: cruelly treated
• Homes: loud, crowded
• Elders: omnipresent
How do Latinos see “Americans”?
• Religion: Sundays only
• Food: boring, shelf-table
• Money: highest priority
• Children: treated like pets
• Pets: treated like children
• Homes: antiseptic, cold
• Elders: disposable burden
How do Latinos see other Latinos?
• Religion: spiritual, social center
• Food: exuberant, rich
• Money: functional
• Children: glorious
• Pets: functional
• Homes: for heart, not investment
• Elders: revered
So much for these simple, sometimes irreverent, lucid and provocative insights.
What do these snapshots tell us?
The late Dr. S.R. Ulibarri, celebrated author and former professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at the University of New Mexico, years ago made this statement: “There are cultural differences, and thank God for [them]. Differences are what make life worth living and death worth dying.”
Cultural differences are as natural as different flavors in food. They add richness to the national whole and are subject to blending, not into a generic melting pot, but rather into a many-hued mosaic. Of course, differences can create problems, too, but that is a subject for another time.
Back in the ’70s, an El Paso Times article appeared that probably jarred many readers. I recall a title something like “Spanish culture could add color to American life.” Each culture in this land of ours has something to offer to each other. Society’s task is to absorb from various cultures the good and avoid the ugly — and all cultures have both. We’re all in this together, to get to know and value each other in all cultures.
In an Op-Ed column in the Albuquerque Journal, one writer wrote to oppose vigorously the idea of creating a recently suggested Hispanic Affairs Department in the New Mexico government. Strong reaction followed a few days later in a group letter signed by 17 people from Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Las Vegas and Carlsbad — and not all Hispanics at that. That letter pointed out the needs of Hispanics in New Mexico. The state has a visible level of poverty, a high uninsured population, insufficient health care, and a failing educational system, as well as a disproportionate allocation of state resources to Hispanic concerns.
Even in a state with a 46 percent Hispanic population and with a Hispanic governor, the writers of the group letter insist on the existence of a cultural problem. Toward the end of the article, the writers make this statement: “Today, few understand [that means all other ethnic groups and particularly Anglos/Europeans] the problems of the new majority [that is, Hispanics] because of a lack of comprehensive data that includes understanding of Hispanic cultural differences.”
One more time, listen to Ulibarri. He states that “here in the Southwest we have three main currents of cultural life. From the south flows the very strong and vital current of Hispanic culture. From the north and east [two currents] flow ... very strong, dynamic, even aggressive, currents of Anglo Saxon culture. These currents meet, reject, embrace and ultimately join to form the very unique heritage, the very unique culture, that we have in the Southwest” — all of which we should treasure.
In spite of many who fear a coming Hispanic majority, and despite what major demographic changes can involve, we have many others who exclaim, “¡Vivan las diferencias!” — “Hooray for the differences!”
Richard Campbell’s “Two Eagles in
the Sun” is available at The Bookery,
Barnes & Noble, b&n.com, amazon.com and twoeaglespress.com.
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Copyright 2010 by Cristo Rey Communications.