* My family was here over the weekend to visit, they live across the border a ways. Amazing the border, just that line and so much changes, the view just takes on a whole other aspect, in so many ways. It was brought up in conversation with them, my family, that Hugo Chavez was undignified and distasteful to talk about Bush the way he did, even if they are against him. I think strong truths are not popular in America, they want them in shades that better match the trimmings of their minds. Everything broken down into something else, fragmented. What else should a pow wow of governements be for if it is not to tell the truth and expose the liars. The whole world would do well to shout America is evil and Bush is the devil. Perfect words and fitting concepts.
Mexico is more plain speaking than America, they do not pad their sentences so and are use to just simply saying what a thing is. I have learned from this to pick the simplest idea. Plain speaking. But this conversation happened over dinner in a good restaurant with good music with a family I love despite their American faults. I realize they are trapped within their culture so they can move smoothly to get what they want and go where they are lead to go. So I could not call them on their smug attitudes that Chavez committed a social sin by resorting to saying what he really thought. All I did say is I thought him a hero of the poor and that all leaders should be as honest in their attitude. But of course this brought a change in conversation back to childhood memories and what else to order next. Oh well, no sense to make war at the dinner table, its bad for indigestion, I let that battle be lost. But thinking back on it, I could tell, that was an adopted attitude, one they have been groomed for. That they could not accept the truth and the message behind what Chavez said and instead look down on him shows their minds have been manipulated to all think the way their government wants them. They cannot accept strong truths. It is easy to look down on actions, the American media told them to have that attitude. Its strange to watch people who have been so easily brainwashed. Why could they not have cheered Chavez for having the bravery and the heart to bring up something so important as the evil of Bush and his country. We need so much more of this.
No wonder I let this go over dinner, because now that I think about it, it makes my head ache that a society could be more concerned with their reaction of dislike for the way the message was delivered, than for the actual truth behind the message itself. Here was a chance to call out yes, yes, this is true, that is what this president is, let the world know it and beware, let our people see what the world thinks of him. Help us stop him. But all Americans want to do is just look down on this and belittle it. Which is defending Bush and all his evil.
13 comments:
Bunuel Lives! Very surrealist.
Your letting such brainwashing go on for the sake of digestion and peace with your family is exactly the kind of choices US citizens keep making that perpetuates the regime and draws your hatred of them for it.
Interesting point there, Greg. The question is, is there much point in turning a family reunion sour over an issue like this? Can real gains be made from just educating a few people that would make souring of some good food worthwhile? Not to mention that those people across the table will end up learning nothing besides get the sorry impression that you are an american hate by fancy.
Atanu, are you saying hold the revolution until it won't upset anyone, or give them a sorry impression?
Gregrandgar,
Precisely my thought as it happened and it made me sigh. But in this situation I will apply my love and save my hate for that regime. Good thing governments and families are not the same. Or perhaps that is what is wrong with the American family, modeled after their government now. One needs to know where to choose ones battles or end up winning them when the price was not worth it.
In culture shock during early days of expatriation from the US to Mexico, I was in wonderment searching for understanding of how the cultures could so differ. At first, I thought it might be religious influence that molded Mexican society to one where concern for others was the highest social responsibility. It took a while to discover the reason was something else.
Family is everything here in Mexico. You owe them your all as they do you. It is not the church that leads the culture what it is but inclusion of all into the family. The highest compliment that can be paid to another is "muy amable", or "very friendly". In contrast, a person here who acts rude and crude in disrespect of others is termed "mal educado", or "poorly educated". That does not refer to formal schooling but relates to lessons learned from one's mother about relating to others. As a mother loves a child and visa versa, the child grows to share his love with all. There was at least one who understood that in context of US society.
"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair". - HL Mencken
Pocho,
Mexico is a nation of strong families and that is one of its beauties. Those who can witness it are lucky.
What is problematic is that discussion and dialogue have to become arguments and emotionally upsetting. A disagreement should not cause anxiety, even (or especially) between family.It is an example of hegemony in it's subtlest form that the two topics of discussion which are "off limits" are politics and religion, the two which are the essence of power.So we are left talking about the weather with the people we love and talking revolution with complete strangers in the blogosphere.
Amen, brother Troutsky!
Good point Trotsky.
troutsky,
An odd thing, ever since Americas 9/11 day I have felt a divide in my family over politics and society. I have talked to others that do to. America has entered a new phase. It is as though they have guilt and embarassment, or maybe defensive. Like in the American civil war, families splitting. You can feel the seam ripping somewhere. It is sad what you say about who we talk to about what, and so true.
Family is everything here in Mexico. You owe them your all as they do you."
The family is the core of the tribe. The tribe is as large as a population can get and still maintain the feeling of family and common interest. Expecting to be represented in a population of the four million original colonists of the US was an idealistic pipe dream, today that is even more unrealistic.
"So we are left talking about the weather with the people we love and talking revolution with complete strangers in the blogosphere."
It is often easier to get down to brass tacks with relative strangers because there is no risk of prior vested interest in speaking honestly and finding kinship in people whose thoughts are all we have to go on. I think blogging may be the new revolutionary tool.
Gregrandgar,
I have a lot of hope for blogging too, a way to get the truth out and spread it like we can no other way.
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