Los Trumpistas Better Watch Their Language!

Los Trumpistas Better Watch Their Language!

It's difficult to believe that in the midst of his all-out campaign to deport Latino immigrants, the unpresidented one is also throwing around the rhetoric of Yankee imperialism against Mexico. It's as if he has no clue how emotionally fraught certain ideas and concepts are to our brothers and sisters to the South. I don't give him credit for doing this intentionally; we all know that this man is what is now euphemistically referred to as a "low information" person (previously known as "ignorant!") But this sloppy use of loaded language diminishes the possibility of meaningful discourse, particularly when the power differential between the two parties is so vast.  Here are some of my thoughts on a few of the linguistic tropes that have recently emerged in the media coverage of this hateful xenophobe, who is now los E.U.'s presidente.

1. First of all, 45's assertion that Mexico is "taking advantage of" the United States is patently absurd.  Mexico, its people, and its natural resources have been exploited by Norteamericanos in innumerable ways.

 For example:

American intervention on behalf of the pro-US Porfirista regime during the Mexican Revolution

Gringo investment and control of Mexican industries such as mining, agriculture, and petroleum.

Confiscation of 1/3 of Mexico's territory in the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo following the US/Mexican war.

Flight of Mormon communities to regions south of La Frontera in order to continue their practice of plural marriage after the US made it illegal.

Growth of American owned ranches and plantations in Mexico in the decades following the Civil War such that the hacienda took the place of the Southern plantation and the system of debt peonage became a source of unpaid labor that replaced African enslavement.

The 1950's Bracero program, which brought Mexican workers temporarily into the US and essentially deported them when they were no longer needed.

The NAFTA phenomenon of the "maquiladoras" created to bust American unions and pay vastly lower wages to predominantly female Mexican workers to assemble US made products under sweatshop conditions imbued with a culture of sanctioned sexual harassment.

Relying on undocumented immigrants to serve as docile, underpaid (and frequently unpaid) workers in the agricultural, construction, and other industries that Northamericans have come to depend on.

The frequenting of border towns and resorts that serve as playgrounds for US elites who want to practice their vices and party on the cheap without bothering to have any meaningful contact with the people or culture of the nation that hosts them.

Promulgation of the unfounded  popular beliefs that Latinos in the US don't pay taxes, exploit the social welfare system, and profit from, rather than contribute to, the Northamerican economy.

These are just a few instances that come to mind.

2. Use of the language of invasion and militarism to terrorize and intimidate minority communities.  "45" has threatened to send the National Guard to intervene in African American uprising and has described the current indiscriminate deportation sweep as "military" in nature and effectiveness.  Several weeks ago he couched in what he pretended to be a teasing comment to President Pena Nieto that the EU government would invade, "send in the troops," or something of that sort, if Mexico did not comply with his poorly considered and ineffective border wall initiative.

Mexicans don't find this sort of talk amusing!

3. Stupid attempts to use the Spanish language, primarily to promulgate anti-Mexican racist stereotypes.  45 is very fond of the phrase, "bad hombres" to describe Mexican immigrants--presumably he picked this expression up from some outdated TV Western or maybe a John Wayne movie.  However, anyone with even a passing knowledge of  Spanish can tell you that he mispronounces the word "hombre" (which means "man") so that it sounds more like "hambre" (which means "hunger.") I think that the "bad hungers" are those of the capitalists on the Northern side of the border, Donaldo! Try taking a few lessons in basic Spanish and you may find that your effigy becomes a bit less popular as a character for piñatas! (But not much....)

And what the heck is "Mar-a-Lago" supposed to mean, anyway?  Sounds a bit like those fake-Spanish names they used to give car models back in the sixties--you remember--"Gran Torino", etc.

OK, I've gotten a few things off my chest here!  Please forgive the randomness and lack of citation of sources.  Those guys say whatever they want, so I'll do the same!

Que viva la resistencia,

Emily

True Perspectives on La Frontera; Real-life Views of the Mexican/US Border Region and its People


Now that so much harmful propaganda about Latinos is being spread by the 45 Administration as it conducts deportation sweeps destroying the lives of many innocent people, it is important that Anglo Americans overcome racist stereotypes by developing a more accurate understanding of our people, the Border region, and the immigration experience. Photographs have the power to convey a great deal of truth and meaning.

Here are links to a couple of excellent photo journal type pieces on the Border region that have appeared in the major new media during the past week.

https://www.nytimes.com/.../02/.../before-the-wall-life-along-the-us-mexico-border.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../these-photos-show-what-the-u-s-mexican-border-lo...


Please enjoy these and share!

Como Siempre tu Valentina,

Emily

My Daddy Sold Christmas Trees

My Daddy Sold Christmas Trees

           "When I was a very little girl, probably around three, there was a winter when my Daddy’s job was selling Christmas trees."

To read the rest of this one-page memoir piece, go to:

http://sblaam.com/   and see the Spring/Summer 2017 issue.


This was my first ever piece of writing accepted for publication so I am thrilled even if it appeared at totally the wrong time of year--I guess they had a blank page that they needed some filler for.  As my coach Janet Mason tells me, when you're starting out in submitting work for publication, short is often best!

Number 45 and Immigrants and Refugees and Deportations

Hello, Everyone,

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted--as we all know, a lot has happened since November!
I have attended numerous protests and am cranking out "pussy" hats as fast as I can knit them!

As a Mexican American I feel especially at odds with our new "so-called" President. Not only does he seem to have an irrational hatred of the Mexican people and Mexican immigrants, but he has promulgated numerous stereotypes and lies about us.

I can't believe that despite the long and ongoing history of imperialist exploitation of Mexico by the U.S (E.U.) it has for some reason been possible to boondoggle many Norteamericanos into believing that Mexico has "taken advantage of" the United States!  This administration has a remarkable capacity for inverting the truth when not cynically manufacturing "alternative facts" (aka "lies) that suit their purposes.

So as I write Latinos are being rounded up and deported in record numbers (which is not to say that Obama was not also guilty of this)!  People are terrified and families and communities are being torn apart. Let us all resist these actions in every way we can!

Perhaps the recent outpouring of sympathy for the highly educated Muslim immigrants and refugees who were shut out can serve as a bridge to help mainstream Americans recognize the humanity and value of immigrants who may still be awaiting opportunities to succeed in this nation, such as our brothers and sisters from Latin America.

On a more positive note, I've just posted here a short piece of fiction of mine which has just been accepted for publication.  It is a memoir piece relating some childhood memories about my Dad. No doubt, it seems rather idyllic in the face of what many Latino children are now having to cope with, but I hope you will enjoy it and I welcome critiques and comments.

!Que viva la lucha!

Emily