... is the value of the month in Mediana and Pinka's school.
So, during the conversation with Will (who according to his recollection was drunk but I did not notice) last Friday we talked about Mexico's history (The Heroic Cadets) and Mexican food (Chiles en Nogada).
So, I kept thinking about a comment he made about quotes and the one quote that is my favorite from the Mexican history. It has to do with the US invasion into Mexico in 1847 (almost 70 years later we retaliated with Pancho Villa! Mexico is the only country to ever invade US! and yes, I feel proud of that little known fact); after the US troops took over the Army Academy in the Castle of Chapultepec (and got the Heroic Cadets as a result of that) they battled the Mexican Army in Churubusco; beat General Pedro Maria Anaya who then was asked where was the ammunition; his answer was: "Si hubiera parque, no estaria usted aqui" ("If I had any ammunition, you would not be here"). Enough said.
See you around.
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1 week ago
8 comments:
i think the British count as "invaders" also. I mean, they DID manage to burn down the White House. that being said, i'll put in my two cents on "patriotism." on the surface it seems like a good value to instill into the new generation, only if you look at "patriotism" historically and realise how many wars have been conducted under its rubric, you begin to see the fundamental flaw in this so-called virtue. i have no allegiance to country or government. i don't believe in borders. but don't confuse lack of allegiance with lack of respect. i have a healthy dose of the latter for PARTS of governments and individual public servants who work to benefit the environment, social causes for mankind, etc. Teaching blind "patriotism" I think, especially in this day and age of separation, is somewhat irresponsible. ra ra ra and all that hippie bullshit, but in the end we're still one race: human.
I used to think that you were more involved with people that with places. This summer changed my mind, because when I was in Sinaloa, only my sister was there. And I loved the place.
I agree, and to me patriotism is the love you have (and show if you want) for your town/country/region/etc. so I think everyone of us is a patriot in his own way.
The way patriotism has been used to provide people with "reasons" to go to war when the main reasons are economics (mainly) is shameful, it's good when you can see this and avoid being dragged into something that bad.
And I think will should answer about teaching blindly! ;^)
Clarification: i am not saying Will himself is teaching blindly. I am talking in general. I, too, am attached to geography, but not so much to sociology or group movement. I have often said how much we spoil the beauty of geography via our ideology.
I know, just pulling your leg (and goading will to post a comment here!)
I would like to share this poem that came to my mind because of this discussion and because I think it gets your point (in case you don't know it; if from the Mexican poet José Emilio Pacheco):
ALTA TRAICIÓN
No amo mi patria.
Su fulgor abstracto
es inasible.
Pero (aunque suene mal)
daría la vida
por diez lugares suyos,
cierta gente,
puertos, bosques de pinos,
fortalezas,una ciudad deshecha,
gris, monstruosa,
varias figuras de su historia,
montañas
-y tres o cuatro ríos.
Free translation to follow:
HIGH TREASON
I do not love my country
It shines so abstractly
that I can not grasp it.
But (even if it sounds bad)
I would die for
ten of its places,
some people,
ports, pine forests,
fortresses, a city undone,
gray, monstrous,
several people from its history,
mountains
-and three or four rivers.
awesome poem.
and...it sounds better in Spanish.
but great piece.
Mexicans are an odd bunch, they love their country passionately. However, they don't notice it. The first person in the room to put Mexico "down" would be a Mexican.
Originally my blog was called "First to Third" as a reference to me moving from a first world country to a third world country. However, Maria originally wanted me to call it "First to Fifth". The fact is, Mexico isn't a third world country. In many ways it is, or at least has the potential to be, a "super-power" - in much the same way that China or India have the potential. But it is how you harness that potential: in China's case, "blind patriotism" is scary.
My actual take on this month's "value" is more a pride in who you are and what you can do. True there is a certain amount of banging on about: los ninos heroes; the flag being voted as the most beautiful flag; the winning of two gold medals. But today Patriotism was about litter and water conservation - yes, I know, bit difficult to see the connection. However, a love of your country can be a desire to see it more beautiful (ie less litter) and a desire to look into the future (water conservation). Of course, these ideas need to be "taught" to all children on a global level. Sometimes it is easier to dress up global ideas in more manageable packages. Keep your room tidy, keep your city tidy, keep your country tidy.
Actually, the more I think about this - 'cos I haven't really sat down and thought about it before - the more I think that Mexico is probably one of the few countries where you could actually pick Patriotism as a "value" without sounding like some neo-fascist. I'm not sure that anywhere else people wouldn't take it as "tub-thumping".
I'm sure I have a coherent conversation in me, somewhere. However, I have just got home, after a long week, and am about to open the first beer of the weekend. So, you'll have to make do with this jumble of words - sorry.
Hello I found through my newest widget!!!! My black box.
I absolutely see the connection between Patriotism and conservation, or respect for the (national) environment. On so many levels that doesn't exist here in the States. Will, that is an outstanding way of teaching "patriotism" without sounding either like a neo-con or a Communist (blind/mandated patriotism, as in China).
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