Mexican-American Culture

Dear Readers,

Muchas, muchas responses to my March 8 column asking whether I should keep this column's gold-toothed, mustachioed, sombrero-wearing fat Mexican logo and what I should name him. The overwhelming majority of ustedes support amnesty for the wab, but a few folks also made articulate arguments in favor of deportation. Following are pro and con letters from gabachosand wabs alike:

POR AMNESTY

I don't think I'll ever stop hating that image because it makes me think of the countless times I have to counter ignorance, explain and be the voice of browngente over and over to people who somehow don't get it. On the other hand, well, because you keep this image in my face, you're making me understand that it represents what it actually is: a stereotype of our people made up by people who don't understand ourcultura, ourraza. And while I may not like it, it is a reality. So I've come to embrace this phony image. It's true that we give it the power it has over some of us. And because I know that, I can't let it get to me or have influence on me. I think this logo is more than appropriate for what it's being used for. You have the power to use humor to educate in such an artistic way that few can get away with doing. This logo exemplifies exactly what you're trying to do: break through to people who are trying to get it. And for this, I thank you. Let 'em rip.

La Que Si Sabe

FUCK 'EM IF THEY CAN'T TAKE A JOKE. When I lived in San Antonio, I had a T-shirt of Speedy Gonzalez that featured his friendly image. A couple of whacked-out Chicanos told me at an art opening one night, "That shirt is racist." I replied, "Speedy is kind, helpful, smart, energetic and he always wins. Shit, you guys are right. He ain't a Mexican at all." Fortunately, their switchblades jammed as I did an impersonation of Speedy...¡Andele ándele!

Gabacho Greg

POR DEPORTATION

Fag, nigger and wetback have been used in rap and comedy for nearly 20 years. Yet still today, when Ann Coulter uses fag, when Isaiah Washington uses fag, when Michael Richards uses nigger -- despite the repetition of these terms, they still sting and are used primarily as insults. What makes us think that using an old stereotype of the drunk, gap-toothed Mexican is going to erase its history and use as a negative? It's not going to happen. These racist terms and images were made for racists to use as racial slurs. To think we have the power to change one word's or image's meaning by using it is unrealistic. WE need to come up with new terms and images that will destroy the old racist one. For example: "wetback" or "illegal alien" should now be "nuevo pioneers." As Audre Lorde said, "We cannot dismantle the master's house using their tools."

Gerard Meraz
Professor of Chicano Studies
Cal State University, Northridge

As for naming the Mexican, the following Denverite put it best:

Whatever we name the Mexican, it won't matter because everyone will call him Chuy.

Gracias to everyone who offered feedback. More responses, critiques and suggestions are available online at www.houstonpress.com. And don't fret: more spicy questions answered next week!