Remembering Who We Are and Where We Came From

Posted on 15 May 2008 by Bobby Ozuna

If there is any one over-touched topic in the news these days it’s the subject of racism—with regards to whom WE are as Americans. And I am as guilty as the next person when I say this: I want to talk about it—so badly—but I so badly avoid it instead, all for the sake of not arguing or being blacklisted as a racist myself or the target of a race debate.

I have written countless articles on the subject, but no one has seen them or heard of them. I look them over, considering submission, and using my journalistic hat, I review them to ensure they are free of any racial bias, only to discard them. In the end—I put them away—stored in a place where they can’t be found. I do it because I’m scared of what people might say if they read my words.

Remember, I am a fiction writer—a creative sort—not a journalist, but a blogger with a necessity to write on a daily basis. I have my own opinions and prejudices, as we all do, naturally, whether we choose to acknowledge that truth or not. It’s reality. But something happened to my daughter recently that triggered my earnest desire to touch on the topic—regardless of the outcome. And where better to address the topic of racism with regards to a changing culture, than right here on CultureFeast.com, where all topics related to our society are fair game.

I can’t say who said what to who and why because the persons involved are minors, girls under the age of 13 and obviously ignorant. But like the basis of the word ignorant—lack of knowledge and understanding—it stems from high up on the family tree; I believe racial prejudice is learned, and like a garden it is instilled at birth and nourished over time and the fruit borne is an exact replica of the caretaker. We mimic our surroundings; that is the natural order of mankind. And over time in my life, I have experienced prejudice from both sides of the border—right here in my own backyard.

“I wish Mexicans would go back where they came from.” That was the statement implied directly to my daughter’s friend. No, it wasn’t said directly at her and because of that (and I toot my own horn here) my daughter said nothing. The comment wasn’t made towards her directly, therefore; it wasn’t worth arguing about. Stupid people say stupid things—that is what I’ve always told her. When people are too busy watching you and worrying about what you do or say, or what you look like or what you don’t own in this world—they obviously have nothing better to do with their lives than watch what you do. Those people are like the pathetic cronies who sit and watch washed-up actors and over-privileged people crying about how miserable the world is when the local coffee shop runs out of Espresso. In all actuality, they have nothing better to do with their lives.

I told my daughter not to worry about what was said, because in the end, the person who said it obviously wasn’t smart enough to discover truths for themselves. What this girl said was a direct response to what has been relayed in her home. No doubt the girl’s parents have a problem with Mexicans which is probably a direct response for the “Illegal Immigrant” issues we now face in America. Face it, people are mad and the fact they keep their feelings bottled in, proves we are on the cusp of great anger and hatred as a people in whole. Now, knowing this, I have deducted the girl’s parents are either THAT prejudice that they lump all people of Hispanic/Mexican-American heritage into the same basket of hate or they are that ignorant they can’t tell the difference between the two cultures. And yes, there are two entirely different cultures of Meskin’ in America.

The people who were born in Mexico and either came here legally, or found alternate means make up the first culture now occupying a vast majority of this country. The second culture is the one closest to my own heritage—people of Mexican-American background—those born in America (once, twice or three-times removed) whose origins date back to a time when Texas was part of Mexico. My great-grandfather was born in what is still Mexico, just across from Eagle-Pass, Texas (which was Mexico at the time). He migrated with his five sons and one daughter and settled in Karnes City, Texas. From there the children each in turn settled in Fort Worth, Texas where my father was born—and now—his five children and grand/great-grand children. I am a second-generation United States Marine, following in my father’s footsteps, and more than American, I am a Texan—born and bred.

Growing up I faced the same prejudices but from two-sides of the fence. As a child of Mexican-American parents, we (and those like me) were considered “coconuts” or “Oreo’s” because we were dark on the outside and light (or white) on the inside. We were taught to speak English properly to compete in a predominately white world and thereby allowed most of our Meskin’ roots to linger for the sake of careers and future advancements. To people born of Mexico, we were nothing more than a darker shade of white; we were no different than the Anglo-American race. To white people however, we were the same—Mexican. As far as they knew, we didn’t speak English and because of that, probably weren’t smart, as if the lack in ability to speak another language somehow dummies down your own natural born intelligence??? I find that ironic because as a writer I hear countless people (born in America) tell me, “I can’t write…I didn’t do good in English class.” I feel like asking them now: You didn’t? Why not? What country are you from?

I told my daughter to ignore the girl who made the comment. I told her she was as dumb as the parents who are instilling the hatred towards another race. I mean, come on, I’m American. I want EVERYONE in this country to be documented, stamped, screwed, blued and tattooed. But I’m also a smart man and I know this. We can kick the Mexican’s out of America and hopefully, when we do (if we ever did), we send everyone else who can’t prove they were born in the US right back to wherever they came from. Then, we can disregard welfare, since hundreds of thousands of jobs will open up to us tried-and-true red-blooded Americans who aren’t afraid or too proud to wash dishes in restaurants we can’t afford, wash the cars we won’t ever drive and cut the grass and build the homes we will never own. And when prices go up for general lawncare, from minimum wage (and less), that will get rid of Homeowners Associations because I’ll be darned if tried-and-true American’s will do anything themselves for less than $15 bucks/hour which means we will all have to cut our own grass and I think we know that isn’t going to happen. But hey, kick them out. I’m an American. I’m an athlete and a former US Marine. I’m not scared to work and get my hands dirty because I know where I came from…

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17 Comments For This Post

1. Zulmara Says:
   May 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

   Great post, Bobby…

   I would have to agree, much of racism stems from ignorance…and much of the hype against illegal immigrants stems from a capitalistic system at war with itself…we want to have our cake and eat it too…

   ADELANTE!!

   Zulmara

2. Bobby Ozuna Says:
   May 15th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

   Zulmara:
   The sad part is, if we (as Americans) truly want our cake (and want to eat it too), then we should be focused on those people within our communities who DON’T contribute by pulling their own weight.

   To use a childish analogy: If we were building a clubhouse in the backyard, and all the kids in the neighborhood had to pitch in to play in the clubhouse, why would we allow those who did absolutely nothing a chance to enjoy what we have worked for??? I would rather focus more attention on those people who sit back waiting for the government to “pay their way” and give them handouts than focus on those who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and help build a better America.

   At least we can say this: If we should kick out the illegal aliens, then I vote to abolish Welfare. At least we know there will be hundreds of thousands of jobs available to all the lazy, red-blooded Americans out there!!!

3. Mabel Figueroa Says:
   May 16th, 2008 at 10:57 am

   Ramon has yet to read this. I however, could not wait to respond. I am sooo excited to read such a well rounded article!! I am so proud that an American Mexican would write so well!! Gracias, por tu honestidad y inteligencia!!

4. Michael Callaway Says:
   May 18th, 2008 at 11:01 am

   I have always said that if I lived in Mexico and had a family to support I would come here too, legally or illegally. Also, when Europeans came here none of them had a visa from the Native Americans so get off your high horse that they are “breaking the law”. If you add value you should stay, if you do not, you should go.

5. Heather Says:
   May 18th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

   I loved this line: “And I am as guilty as the next person when I say this: I want to talk about it—so badly—but I so badly avoid it instead, all for the sake of not arguing or being blacklisted as a racist myself or the target of a race debate.”

   I want to talk about it, too. But I’m a white middle-class American. Do I have anything even worth saying. If we’re discussing what it’s like to experience racism, then no. But a couple of months ago as I was standing in line with my brand-new baby daughter, the man in front of me basically handed me the floor, so to speak. He looked into my baby carrier and said, “It’s so refreshing to see a white baby. All these young girls now are having babies with blacks and Mexicans. In a few years there aren’t going to be any white people left.”

   I looked at him. Did he seriously just say that? I looked at the black man standing in front of him trying not to hear the conversation. I looked the old man right in the face. “I don’t see anything wrong with that,” I said.

   If I hadn’t caught totally off-guard I would’ve said more, but he didn’t try to argue . . . much.

   It felt good, though.

6. Daniel Says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 9:35 am

   Michael, the problem with your last comment is that “adding value” is a subjective value proposition. If that were the determining factor with lawmaking, then a good majority of American citizens would be deported.

   Citizenship is one of the areas where law gets the most sticky. We can’t afford to have illegal immigrants here, not because they are less valuable human beings, but because they don’t pay taxes and drain significant funds from our hospitals, schools, and other publicly funded entities.

   I’m not one to argue whether a working illegal immigrant has the right to apply for citizenship. That would seem to make sense except that it sends a clear signal to future illegal immigrants that if they can just sneak in and get away with it long enough to be a productive member of society, then it’s okay.

   Illegal immigrants are just as valuable as any American. But value and human rights aren’t the issue. It’s about creating laws to bring balance and order. There must be limitations. Maybe those limitations need to be adjusted. I don’t know. But I do know that you cannot maintain a safe and orderly society if you allow anyone to break the laws of the land. Doing so makes the law soft and weak, and it then no longer stands for a standard all people will be required to adhere to.

   I don’t want people to suffer, starve, or miss out on opportunities to provide for their families. But Law exists to make determinations which we as individuals are not typically capable of making because our emotions cloud our ability to judge the bigger picture.

   Those are my thoughts. I would bend some laws if I could, to suit my personal beliefs. But that would make me a violator of the law, and the government would have the legal right to prosecute me.

   There is no easy solution. There are instances where logic would dictate that the circumstances warrant an unusual legal ruling/exception. I could go on and on forever, since there are obviously worthy reasons to object to current law and reasons to uphold and defend it.

   Good post! Glad to have a worthwhile discussion.

7. Bobby Ozuna, author of "Proud Souls" Says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 10:46 am

   Daniel:
   These are excellent points and you truly put some thought into the topic. It’s obvious by reading the responses (and responses I have generated on my Gather.com site regarding the same issue: http://inotauthor.gather.com.

   What I hope will happen is [that] people will begin thinking for themselves instead of following hear-say and listening to what the experts have to say about the matter. Yes, Illegal Aliens cost this country money, but in the same regard millions of American citizens–a vast majority who haven’t earned or served their country in a manner that would even warrant American citizenship–cost us as well.

   This is no easy topic, I just hope in the end, when we make our decision together–as American citizens–we do it for reasons that will protect America, not for reasons regarding ethnicity. Because in the end, if we do make our decision based on a like or dislike of a particular race or nationality, then how great are we as a country? We’d have to ask ourselves another important question: Why would anyone want to come here?

   Thanks for the response!

8. Bobby Ozuna, author of "Proud Souls" Says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 10:54 am

   Michael:
   You brought up an interesting point to consider, but I am afraid I have to say, [that] when the decision is made whether to kick the Illegal Aliens out of America or keep them, the last thing our laws will consider is how the rest of Americans got here…

   Remember, history is written by those who have hanged heroes. I am not implying the people from Mexico are heroic at all…what I am saying, is that sometimes those who commit the same acts on another race, easily forget that part of history, when they themselves are willing to do the same thing to another race of people.

   Remember, in the end, I want everyone to be in a position where they answer to everyone else, and are responsible for putting in their share of the bounty that keeps this country flowing the way it does. I just think sometimes we forget as a nation, that certain people who are willing to work, help keep this nation running… If Americans are so upset with outsourcing…then why are Americans so afraid to do the jobs Illegal Aliens will? Is it because of the money? Is it because they work for far less wages than the rest of us? If that is true, then why is our American corporations, medium/small business owners allowing this to continue?

   It is without any reasonable doubt, that when company owners consider the bottom line and their profit margin, they do it knowing (willingfully knowing) that they are cheating their employees to make profits and monies far greater than their own workers will ever enjoy. But there will come a time when they (business owners) will have to ask themselves…am I contributing to the problem in America with regards to illegal citizenship and illegal workers or am I doing what I can to prevent it?

   Great points!

9. Jen Says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

   At one point or another (except Native Americans) we were all illegal. I feel everyone should have the opportunity to choose where they want to live although if you choose to live there illegally, you should receive no benefits from that country. No welfare, healthcare, food stamp, etc. Also, you CHOOSE to come here, speak our language!!!

10. Jeffery Sneed Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

    Racism and hate are just as valid as tolerance and love.

    It has always amused me how those who preach tolerance and understanding have neither tolerance nor understanding for those who do not share their “enlightened” views. They cannot wait to stamp bigot or racist on anyone who would dare call into question their belief structure.

    With children I would agree that racism is learned, however I feel that racism in adults based on life experiences is just a natural development of the learning process.

    Fire = hot so to speak. If blacks or Mexicans or whites have consistently wronged you it would be foolish not to formulate a negative opinion of them in the interest of self preservation.

    Anyone who cannot see that is oblivious to the way the world really works.

    That being said as human beings we(some of us) are equipped with logic. If you apply that to the baser instincts where we apply labels to others you can elevate anyone’s status in relation to your learned social interactions and set aside racial or religious misgivings on a case by case person by person basis.

    In other words, to break it down as simply as possible. When I was younger I was stung by a wasp. I steer clear of wasps ever since. Their might be a wasp out there somewhere that does not sting, I will never know because my learned behavior is not to associate.

    For those of you who cannot follow that thought process, I truly pity you.

11. Bobby Ozuna, author of "Proud Souls" Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    Jen:
    I agree about one thing…anyone who is here (illegally) shouldn’t receive a single benefit. Besides that, in order to get benefits you have to sign or complete some sort of form(s) and if you can do that when you want something, then you should complete ALL necessary paperwork to become a US citizen, when WE want.

    Thanks for responding.

12. Bobby Ozuna, author of "Proud Souls" Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    Mr. Sneed:
    You brought to light a very valid and interesting point. Perhaps the people who “hate” or otherwise had bad personal experiences with a particular race, aren’t BAD (per say) just acting out the disassociation they learned during previous experiences? That is a completely justifiable response to not liking a particular race. But on that note, does that give them the right to show hatred and discontent towards an entire race of people, because of the one (or more) bad experience(s)?

    We have to be more than the animal world (or in your case, the bug world) to justify that analogy. Yes, I learned that touching a stove or fire was hot, therefore; I stay clear of it or approach it with caution. But people as a race are not as simple as a bug stinging you or a stove burning you. Those objects work in one manner, almost all the time, therefore it’s easy to generate conclusions by actively deducing what may occur if we interact with those objects again. For every nice woman, there is a mean or ugly (attitude) one. For every nice man, there is one who is mean or hateful. For every African-American with an attitude towards the world, there is one who loves everyone. For every Anglo-American who loves his neighbor, there is one who despises them. For every Mexican-American, there are are equally good and bad. But to be more than the simple world we see around us, we should learn how to judge each circumstance as we approach it, not necessarily as we experienced it in the past. Because for that matter, we are justifying the right to hate all mankind, regardless of who they are as a person. And we don’t want to do that–ever.

    Great comment!!!

13. Jeffery Sneed Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    Mr Ozuna,

    You said
    “We have to be more than the animal world (or in your case, the bug world) to justify that analogy. Yes, I learned that touching a stove or fire was hot, therefore; I stay clear of it or approach it with caution. But people as a race are not as simple as a bug stinging you or a stove burning you. Those objects work in one manner, almost all the time, therefore it’s easy to generate conclusions by actively deducing what may occur if we interact with those objects again.”

    I completely agree which is why i said
    “That being said as human beings we(some of us) are equipped with logic. If you apply that to the baser instincts where we apply labels to others you can elevate anyone’s status in relation to your learned social interactions and set aside racial or religious misgivings on a case by case person by person basis.”

    However justifying anything including hate is extremely easy. Take Al Queda for instance, sparing you and your readers a lengthy rundown of american foreign policy I will simply say that the Arab world has legitimate greivances with the US government.

    However they use this fact to blanket their callous and intentional targeting of soft targets (Civilian personnel and Buildings) as a righteous or justified act.

    It’s that very leap that escapes me. Let’s pretend I hate Mexicans, I dont see the value in letting every Mexican I run into know that I dislike him or her. I dont feel the need to bomb a Taco Bueno or Mexican Embassy.

    What makes people take that extra step? that they must proffer their opinion or enact violence on those they dislike? any thoughts?

14. Bobby Ozuna, author of "Proud Souls" Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

    Mr. Sneed:
    We are getting off the subject a little, but to (slightly) address your response, I would have to say: I don’t know why people enact violence on people they dislike. That isn’t necessarily the point to this article. The simple statement made by the young girl at my daughter’s school (North Richland Middle School) that she wished “All Mexicans would go back where they came from” isn’t a response to hate–because how can a 13-year old possibly hate another race when she isn’t (obviously) smart enough to know much about her own heritage to despise another–but actually a learned response from the people who are raising her. And no doubt the people who are instilling the stupidity within her head, sit around on weekends and talk about the grandness of diversity and how wonderful it will be when their daughter goes off to college and meets people from around the world. What they probably mean is: I can’t wait for my daughter to go to an all-white school and meet Mr. Perfect John Smith. Hind-sight may bite them in the rear one day when their daughter brings home a “Julio Sanchez” instead.

15. Bobby Ozuna, author of "Proud Souls" Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

    And on that note Mr. Sneed, being a father of one lovely 13-year old daughter…when I face the day she brings home the “man of her dreams”, I can only hope I see him for who he is as a MAN and a potential FATHER and HUSBAND, and how he will treat my daughter as they try to make a life together, more so than worrying about silly things that don’t matter like whether his name is Joey Italiano, Tyrone Africana, Jose Mexicano, John Anglicano or Bink Chino. Because in the end, we all come from somewhere and it sure as hell wasn’t the Estados Unidos.

16. Jeffery Sneed Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Understood,
    When it comes time for me to choose a baby name I will definately be lookign you up. Gotta be honest im diggin on the John Anglicano

17. Dj Vow Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    Good stuff…

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