I've been reading "The Natural," a book by Joe Klein about the Clinton presidency and he quotes Leon Panetta describing the southern courtliness of Clinton. "He never came out and told someone they were full of shit even though I know he was thinking it."
That's not a bad thumbnail description of southern cultural behavior where famously "bless your heart," can be kindness but probably is a fig leaf to disguise cruelty. "She's so ugly, bless her heart." It trips me up sometimes, that courtliness. It's confusing to others as well and I can see how someone might mistake "politeness" for, say, "interested."
Cultural difference can be a pain in the ass, no two ways about it. Why can't we all just get along? Sometimes it's because we can't understand why you or, even better, you people act that way.
Bringing me to what seems like journalistic genius AND a welcome service, Ask a Mexican from the Orange County Weekly, written by Gustavo Arellano.
From today's Los Angeles Times:
The column, published in 2004, was meant as a one-time spoof, but questions began pouring in. Why are there so many elaborate wrought-iron fences in the Mexican parts of town? What part of the word "illegal" do Mexicans not understand? Why do Mexicans pronounce "shower" as "chower" but "chicken" as "shicken"? Arellano has responded each week, leading an unusually frank discussion on the intersections where broader society meets the largest and most visible national subgroup in the country: Mexicans.
Arellano, a 27-year-old reporter and fourth-generation Orange County resident, has taken his "Ask a Mexican" personality to radio and other print outlets. He has found receptive audiences in unlikely places, even conservative talk radio. "Ask a Mexican" is historically and culturally accurate, in some cases painfully so, while pushing the edges of modern political correctness.
At times, it can also sound like the work of a graduate student — which Arellano once was. His response to the "shicken" question included references to native Indian languages and linguapalatal fricatives.
But under it all, "Ask a Mexican" is imbued with affection for Mexican immigrants, which may explain its appeal among Mexican Americans who might otherwise take offense.
Dear Mexican,What's with the Mexican need to display the Virgin of Guadalupe everywhere? I've seen her in the oddest places, from a sweatshirt to a windshield sticker. As a Mexican, I find it a little offensive and tacky to display this religious symbol everywhere.
Dear Pocha,… I've seen her painted on murals, woven into fabulous silk shirts worn by Stetson-sporting hombres and — one holy night — in my bowl of guacamole. But while I share your disdain for the hypocrites who cross themselves in Her presence before they sin…. I don't find public displays of the Empress of the Americas offensive at all. Mexican Catholicism is sublime precisely because it doesn't draw a distinction between the sacred and the profane. We can display our saints as comfortably in a cathedral as we do on hubcaps.
Admit it. You may not have a question for A Mexican but you've got a question for somebody. Don't you wish you could ask?
