Steven Martinez/ Espiritu Chicano
"Why do your people call yourselves Mexican American? Why don't you just say American?"
These questions were asked of me, many years ago, by a female co-worker, a caucasian. She goes on to say, "I don't see color. I am color blind. Why do you want to cause divisions by always calling attention to your ethnicity?" (She was at a total loss when I tried explaining the Chicano concept to her.) With her questions she was asking me to deny my ethnicity. She was asking me to turn my back on my culture and exchange it for her "american" one. She's asking me to assimilate, to "melt in." And, by the way, she's not just asking... she is expecting it - for "me" to disappear! She is demanding it. What arrogance and privilege to expect me to renounce my ancestors, culture, language, history, heritage - my very essence, to become "accepted" on my own homeland, by a foreign invader! I will partner with all my fellow citizens in building a progressive society together. I will unite with all our allies to fight for a better, stronger, and more inclusive democracy. I will endeavor to live in love, understanding, harmony, respect, and peace with all the fellow inhabitants of our homeland, but, I will not assimilate!
Unless that former co-worker was literally color blind, she very clearly could see my skin color! I want her to see my skin color, my ethnicity - and respect it. I want her to "deal" with "it" - with my Chicanismo and my roots in this land; with the fact that we, as a people, are still here! I will not "hide" my cultural roots, my ethnicity by melting into a pot because my culture and/or skin color makes another uncomfortable. Nor will I allow another to dismiss me by looking through me. Soy Chicano and Brown is beautiful! See me! I am here!
#Decolonize #ReclaimAndReconnect #Indigenize
