Grito de Dolores- Happy 200th

Happy 200 years of Independence to Mexico. Tonight the President of Mexico stands on the balcony of the National Palace and reenacts the Grito de Dolores and rings the Bell of Independence like Father Hidalgo did 200 years ago. The Viva’s go on for a long time. When I was 7 years old I experienced this on top of my fathers shoulders crushed in a sea of people filling the Zocalo in Mexico City, shouting in unison in a response to the President. I really didn’t understand what was going on but the vibration was so intense I remember crying.

No one is sure what Hidalgo said in his Grito. There were several eyewitnesses and everyone relates the story a little differently. More than likely he just said “Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe y Viva La Independencia.” Things were getting hot and heavy and the authorities had been alerted that he was starting an uprising. More than likely he was on the run. Father Hidalgo believed in the abolition of slavery and wanted freedom for Indians, mestizos and criollos. I think that it is interesting these ideas of independence started in the Literary Club of Queretaro. Reading books can be dangerous!

The Mexican fight for Independence was a long process that involved many heroes, many interesting villains and a long period of fighting. If you aren’t familiar with this story I would suggest becoming acquainted with it. It is part of our cultural heritage and has relevancy even today. The Heroes of the Independence movement in Mexico were concerned with European domination of the Americas. So many similarities to our own story of Independence in the United States.

What is your Grito today?

First Selection for the True Mexican Book Club: The Four Agreements

Vivi and I thought starting a True Mexican Book Club would be a great way to get some of our readers together for discussion, fellowship and fun. We are selecting books that will enhance our knowledge and cultural experience and feature Latino authors. If you have any suggestions please let us know and we will add them to the list. The first book we have selected is the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. No, this is not some new age cult book. Don Miguel is legit. I have been pretty angry lately about all the events happening in Arizona and I picked it up again to realign my focus. I shared it with Vivi and it has helped us be less of a danger to ourselves and others.

Bottoms Up !

cc photo of Flor de Jamaica courtesy of Omarsan on Flickr

Happy Summer Solstice everyone! I actually took a vacation in Cali by the ocean while my partner in crime was back here in Aztlan fighting the good fight! Well, still no update on that appropriation money for the Santa Rita Center. Never fear True Mexican will not give up on getting answers. We are just getting warmed up.

While on the beach and drinking lots of fermented blue agave, I started thinking about all the amazing plants we use in our culture and decided to do a little “Marta Sanchez” moment. We having been dealing with such intensity and before we start drilling candidates about why “Latinos” should vote for them I thought a bit of whimsy and a recipe might help.

Thought for the Day: Read SB1070

Well, I got stimulated to thoroughly read this piece of legislation after seeing old Johnny McCain grilling Janet Napolitano in a Senate hearing the other night. I know Senator McCain and stimulating in the same sentence is an oxymoron. Well Janet admitted she was not thoroughly familiar with the legislation. I just wanted to be ready when he called True Mexican and asked if Vivi and I had read the bill. Hell yes! We have read it. You really wouldn’t have to read it. If Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce was saying it was good for us, and he is the same guy who gets his picture taken with Nazi skin heads and hired the Tea Bag expert to actually write the bill, then you know its not going to be friendly for human consumption.

We Want Your Stories, Music, Videos, Artwork and Face

This site is for you. It's a site that embraces all things Mexican so we want to highlight your work, your life and your passions. We are happy to offer a free directory for any businesses that want to be listed. We also would love to have a section that features all the people who contribute to the site and to our cause. True Mexican is about people from Mexican and people who are 3rd generation Mexicans here in the states. We are the people who have married into and embraced the culture. We are the people who are looking to promote our culture, this culture in a positive light.

Please, if you feel you have something you would like to contribute then email us and let us know.

Thanks so much for all your support and please continue to spread the message.

Your Stories: How Much of a Mexican Am I?

CC photo of traditional rakhi bracelet courtesy of Über Times on Flickr

How much of a Mexican am I? If you ask the people who look at me, or who see my name, my resume, or even those who knew me as a child, they would say I am not. If you ask those who truly know me, they would say I am a Mexican at heart.

I spent a huge part of my life feeling somewhat different from the groups to which I belonged. I was the Asian-Indian, English-speaking kid in a largely French- Canadian city. I was the only male in my grad school class with 56 women. I was the straight kid who cared more about fashion and arts than sports or machines. And all the while, although the people around me tried to make me feel like I fit, I never fully felt like I belonged.

And then I was adopted.

Shame on Who?

Reading Vivi’s excellent article on racism stimulated lots of pain and shame in me. I feel our culture and our people are trying to be shamed in Arizona. Shame has really been part of our history since the earliest days of the Spanish conquest. Our mestizo ancestors were seen as a “bastard” race. That does not go a long way toward instilling pride and nurturing self-esteem! We have carried that in our generational programming for the last 500 plus years. Such programming about shame keeps us from our greatness. It keeps us back. We must reverse this or we will not be able to stand up to the Civil Rights assaults that are being thrown at us now.

If Only I Could Wipe Racism from My Child's World and My Memory

When I was a little girl, I remember laying on my grandma's floor watching the news. There was a story where a group had attacked a group of Mexicans. The idea was crazy to my naive and trusting mind. Why would anyone beat someone up just because they were Mexican? I had to ask my grandmother. The conversation opened up a treasure chest of stories of racism and hate that my grandmother had endured all her life. At the time, as a five-year-old, my world spun out of control learning that people were going to hate others simply because of their culture. You see, as I stood there looking up at my grandmother, with her beautiful auburn hair and fair, porcelain-like skin, I realized it didn't even matter if we didn't look Mexican. My relationship with racism would soon grow.

True Mexican is Taking Shape

We are so excited with the number of fans following us on Facebook. We are hoping this site will become a place to come to learn about all aspects of the Mexican culture including, history, politics, food, holidays, beauty, sports, the arts and so much more. It is going to be amazing to bring so many people together to support a culture that is often presented very poorly in the media.

One of the things we would like to do is make this a true community. We would like to know if you are a Mexican-run business or if you are a business standing against SB1070. We want your stories. Tell us about your experiences being Mexican, marrying a Mexican, becoming a part of some Mexican family or simply living here in the Southwest.

Again, thank you for your support and please be patient as we get our site set up and working. Big change is coming here in the Southwest and it is going bring brighter times for our people.

Blessings
-Vivi

I Swear I'm Mexican

That is how I have had to reply to people all of my life. My light skin and hazel eyes drawing nothing but skepticism when most people ask, "What are you?"

My Uncle Ardy, who is no longer with us,  use to laugh and call me "the Jerk" relating my dilemma to Steve Martin's character in the 80's film which had a white guy consider himself a part of black culture. When I worked in Head Start classrooms, Mexican parents would ask how I spoke Spanish so well and I would tell them that I am Mexican. In shock they would ask where I was from. I replied, "Mesa, Arizona". I went on to explain that my Nana Grandma came from Mexico in the early 1900's but my soul, "mi alma",  is Mexican.

Welcome to True Mexican

Welcome to True Mexican. I hope that True Mexican can be a bridge of peace for these difficult times in Arizona. With the passage of SB 1070 it is my hope that even negative change can foster growth. We can either kick and scream our way through this roller coaster ride or find ways to enjoy the views and things we'll learn and places we'll see. For Mexican-Americans, Mexicans, Latinos, Hispanics, Chicanos or what ever term we choose, this is an important moment in time. It is a change maker, our moment to stand and be seen. It is our moment, as a people, to stand up for our civil rights. Whether we are a day laborer, a network engineer, we can be a part of change. Whether we are 100% Mexican, half, quarter, or have even one drop of this amazing blood; we are all affected by the ignorance, hate and fear this bill has ignited. Further more, we hope to embrace all cultures who are looking for a more peaceful existence that allows every person to feel pride in who they are. I don’t think we can look away any longer.