Who, the Real Conquerors?
WHO ARE THE REAL CONQUERORS who think they are better than everyone, Mister Republican? Who are the real conquerors, dropping economic and actual bombs on those they feel are below them in station and worth? Who are the real conquerors, still whispering and hissing into the ears of those below them, still stirring up divisions to keep themselves at the business end of a yoke?
During the primary campaign, as Hispanics overwhelmingly voted for Clinton, many questioned whether they would be ready to elect an African-American president. The question still holds. A local Republican chairman in northern New Mexico was forced to resign last month after telling a reporter from the BBC that: “Hispanics came here as conquerors. African-Americans came here as slaves. Hispanics consider themselves above blacks. They won’t vote for a black president.”
JUST WANT TO STOP IN FOR A MOMENT to debunk this thoroughly nasty mess of obfuscation, or as it is known in the elitist ranks of Arugula field workers, “mierda.”
Now this won’t surprise long time readers and there is plenty of writing on these fundamental facts of Mexican history and Xicano identity at El Grito, the first book in this here UMX series. But let me just underline a few things, because I hate to think of this little fleck of fabricated reality taking hold.
In the context of who “came here,” that is, in the context of part of the current USA demographic voting for a black man, there is no such thing as “Hispanics who came here as conquerors.” Chican@s and Xican@s (and here we are denoting different generations with that C vs X) here today are descended from Mexico. And that means they are a blend, most likely, of Indio and Gachupine/Euro. Oh, I know there are some who can claim pure indigenous ancestry and others who play up the Spanish side and I have no beef with any individual stances or histories. But on the whole, and when discussing these voting trends and tendencies, who are these “Hispanics who came here as conquerors”? Does this “local Republican chairman” so brazenly admit his ignorance of history? Or is he trying to play you?
First of all, what the hell is a “Hispanic”? As the word centers on “Spain” and “Spanish” it seems to either denote Spaniards or those who speak Spanish. From what I understand the word is meant to signify having a Spanish name or the language otherwise woven into your lineage? So you certainly cannot say that anyone with a Spanish name came here as a conqueror! I have a Spanish name. First middle and last. Just like my father. Just like mi abuelo, Emilio Felipe Herrera. Not different than blacks, in fact, similar to how many blacks bear the names of their past conquerors. I can show you pictures of mis antepasados only two generations back who look very much like indians. How did they get Spanish names? Did they conquer someone to get them?
The Spanish conquistadores came here as conquerors. And it was not long at all before they began having children with blacks and indians in Mexico. This was roughly five hundred years ago. In fact to boldly (and stupidly) claim that “Hispanics came here as conquerors” ignores the entire Mexican Revolution! Amazing.
Anyway, this means, of course, that the everyday “Latin@” is a blend of both conqueror and conquered. There is no group of “Hispanics” who came here as conquerors. In fact, if you understand the typical Mexican/Mestiz@/Xican@ consciousness at all it is very much a “borderlands” experience; a dichotomized/harmonized joining/tension of two worlds. It is living, always, in that inbetween state.
Further, even if some Latin@s have problems with others based on ethnicity—be it other Latin@s from different countries (we are not all from Latinoland) or blacks or Asians—this has nada to do with being of the conquerors. It takes no special lineage to soak up the racism and hatred and diminished views on blacks, Asians, the indigenous and Latinos that the dominant culture’s media too often sends us. This messaging that runs like infected fiber through the fabric of this society can be seen draping the shoulders and arms and hands of all people here.
Which is why more and more of us becoming our own media sources (hello!) will turn this tide of ignorance bit by bit. And it is ignorance. In fact, much of the writing I do could only feel “radical” in such a culture. It is not, in reality, radical at all. It is only at odds with much of the messaging accepted today (sadly) as fair…or “balanced.”
Who are the real conquerors who think they are better than everyone, Mister Republican? Who are the real conquerors, dropping economic and actual bombs on those they feel are below them in station and worth? Who are the real conquerors, still whispering and hissing into the ears of those below them, still stirring up divisions to keep themselves at the business end of a yoke?
Tags: Chicano, Mestizaje, Spain, White Hand and BlackBrown Wedge, Xicano
Posted in Borders, Class War, Cultura, Economy, History, Indigenous, Liars, Messaging, Mexico, Politics, Race for 2008, Raza, Republicans, United States Politics, War
As much as we don’t want to talk about it, there *is* racism within brown people, but part of it is the constant pandering in order to be a “good” minority.
yes there is. and you are right about reasons…and i feel sad about that whenever i see or meet it.
but i get really angry when i see others using it to deepen divides. that makes me furious in fact.
And it’s exactly why we need to fight racism in our community!
Though, I can’t think of a good way. Admittedly, Obama as president might actually help things. I’ve noticed that my grandma regards him the same way she does with JFK, so that is a positive step. When I go home I can assess the situation.
Sorry, but racism is about power. Tell me please, where is the power in the Chicano/Latino community that would enable the brown people to keep those who don’t look like us in their places (wherever that might be) and in positions of political powerlessness!
Can’t recall where the statement was made, but Obama said he is all for the betterment of Latin-Americans but it will not be at the expense of displacing African-Americans to advance themselves. Not his exact words, but he sounds like it’s all about his folk and the rest of us, of any other race, can fend for ourselves.
chicano2nd i think what meep is saying is that sadly, even amongst our people, and all latinos, there is absorbed white supremacist values, there is this urge to make a ladder and stick others at the bottom. like how mexicans are looked down on by some other types of latinos. hey, i dont let it stop me, and i still support raza and latinos, but its there. i think that is what was meant by “racism among our own communities.”
and EYES OF TEXAS your ulterior motives are always boringly obvious.
I agree with you Nezua– it’s sad to see words used to divide people..
Nezua:
Well said, as always.
Is “EYES OF TEXAS” obvious for the reason I think he’s obvious?
I keep hearing that a lot of people voting for Obama are being duped. I don’t know how. I do know that most of the people voting for McStain and the ImPalinator would eat a shit sandwich if somebody drew a cross on it with a magic marker.
thank you friend.
it may be the reason you are thinking…probably.
that does not sound like a yummy meal.
it is all crazy. fear of (fill in the blank) to control the thought processes of the masses. we are all the same species…thank you god we are not all the same mold so we can survive ourselves. (all though, to consider this world w/o our kind of animal, would be hopeful to every other living thing and condition on this planet). obviously the above misinformation was written to misinform, confuse and propagate division and mistrust. who benefits from that makes source and intent evident. who are the “hispanics” anyway, a made up name for made up ideas. a matter of convenience for reporting w/o accountability. who does one call for confirmation of report? hapi?
it is all crazy. nez, (like the great masters), you’re messages are of helping each other, compassion, fairness, equality, peace, respect, respect, respect, love… wow, radical. look what happened to jesus though.
don’t give up nezua, more than ever the world needs you and all who visit here.
eyes of texas put your f’n glasses on. i think what obama said, (if i heard him right), is that he would not work for african american issues at the expense of the other races causes and concerns in this country, he will give attention to all equally…maybe we all hear what we want to hear?
Thanks, sweetleaf. That’s how I see Obama too. A man who has known pain from two cultures and is inspired to do the right thing for all of us as best he can. There is no way he can ignore minorities as is customary here. He is only a man and with that bearing goes many imperfections, but my instincts, as well as what he’s said and written offer me hope for a changing country that sees the individual above color.
i know the intuitive you speak of cocoadelight. i most strongly felt it during mr obama’s televised acceptance speech at the dnc. he has a real to him. i certainly feel he is as fair a man, for all considerations, that our country has seen in quite some time. as you said, albeit, not perfect. better to give him a chance to see his promises through than the options available, where fairness is definitively not evident.
chicano2d…from what i am understanding (in umx and on last nights, pbs bill moyer’s program), there is power in the chicano/latino vote…keep up the fight…(don’t give up your rights… i love mr. marley)
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/essays/june97/rodriguez_6-18.html
Nixon invented “hispanic”. At the time my Puerto Rican friends laughed about the idea, but it stuck around. It is lame.
I have two favorite questions that maybe Nez can help me with. Are Portuguese and Brazilians {maybe Angolans too} Hispanic? Is Xuxa Hispanic? Is Gisele Bundchen? My mother’s name is Neves. {No – not Nieves} She looks really Latin. As in black hair, dark skin. Am I Hispanic?
Not that it would change an iota of my being, but just wondering about the definition. I live in a Latin country, and frankly, having the name helps me here. I seem less exotic to the public, but remain just as blonde.
Question Two, remotely related to question one:
I was born and lived 27 years in the First World.
I know where that is, I think. Then I spent the last 29 years in the Third World, I know where that is, I think.
Where is the Second World?
Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
hi rc…was wondering how all is for you, and where ya been, rhetorically anyway. i never have any answers myself, but always a lot of questions. i’m gonna make a guess that any world is just a state of mind literally, characterized by certain demographics theoretically? purpose to characterize is usually beyond my grasp or desire. (hispanic probably fits in that genre? less impact to generalize, so suits a purpose…the shhhhhh factor?) nezua is always a good one to ask…he knows how to get real specific…yes?
sweetleaf,I am glad that you are opening up your mind. Yes,there is “power” in the Chicano/Latino Community; it just needs to be harnessed one step at a time. I believe Nezua is doing his part with this great blog and his young, energetic, and creative mezcla point of view.
I try to point out the power elements in society, starting with our very own self-definition, whenever I can (e.g., I’ll say you can’t call me hispanic because I’ve already called myself Chicano.)
Information is power too.
I will visit some low information friends today with this:
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/preparing-for-the-smear-pocalypse-a-primer/
and a copy of Fox Attacks ” OUTFOXED.”
The real conquerors are the pluctocracy. The super rich who use propogandists like FOX news to dumb down the society, including, unfortunately some of our own gente.
Information is power too! I think the internet and blogosphere have thrown a wild-card factor in the battle against free thought.
chicano2nd…i agree completely. period. thank you for noticing for sure. my mind has always been open, if not indeed opened with/because of information.
) i will visit the above link you posted. i agree that information is power, and thank you god, can be a dangerous thing (ie…wildcard)!
by accident (?) i came to know umx when i googled a friends name. this man (nezua) mentioned her in a post of his, and i have returned ever sense because of the content here. there are kindred spirits here. this site helps educate me, keeps me in touch with what’s real, and has given me like places to go. i know, because of this site i will not call anyone hispanic or use the term. i understand that.
i do have a lot to learn, for certain chicano2nd. (like the meaning of some words you used
i have been repulsed by msm for decades…it took me not even 10 minutes to know, i hated fox news…gag me…i’ve not watched it sense then, and i won’t. see what i mean by kindred spirits?
Sweetleaf, I am that type of individual who is generally known as being on his own planet, philosophically speaking.
Laughed out loud.
like i said, like minds…i love this place
.
rc…i too have been accused of my own world/planet, but ya know it is okay, cuz “they” know me here.
katie…i too laughed out loud for the humor intended but with a resentment not mine, but mine. the name game remains the same?
chicano2nd…went to the zoo…, i’m hanging on to that wildcard…
thank you all for being here.
i hope you all don’t get tired of hearing from me… anyway i referenced the wrong program in a previous reply. i was referring to a program on pbs called now, it wasn’t bill moyers. the link for current streaming for what i was talking about is;
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/439/index.html
it is called “new voters in the new west”
it reports on some local individuals and groups getting people registered to vote in new mexico. also are listed related reports that may or may not be of interest.