Mexican Living: Myth Busting
Myth One: Mexicans are lazy, good-for-nothings.
I mention this one first because it is one of the vilest myths and an excellent example of Americans' xenophobic stereotyping. The idea that Mexicans spend their lives under a big tree trying to sleep off a 10-day drunk is a massively common, American-perpetuated misconception. Modern Mexico is a wonderful mix of professionals and agrarian people who are some of the most industrious people I have ever seen. Where America, and especially Hollywood, gets off portraying hardworking Mexicans as lazy bums is beyond me.
Myth Two: Authorities look the other way regarding drugs.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Watch me roll on the floor laughing! Just try bringing your party-hardy illicit-drug-taking-butt down here and test that theory. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Myth Three: Try bribing a policeman.
This won't work anymore. If you get yourself into trouble, do not think money is going to get you out of it. Times have changed-drastically! The new generation police officers do not accept bribes. There are, of course, exceptions, just as in the United States. Graft is everywhere and not just in Mexico. Nowadays Mexican police are tested for their honesty and, if caught accepting bribes, suffer severe consequences. There are also severe penalties for the one doing the bribing!
Myth Four: Mexican food is a belly burner.
There certain dishes which are traditionally prepared with hot, spicy ingredients. Some are not. In a family meal, the wife cooks the meal according to the tastes of her family members, which may or may not be spicy. In restaurants, the spicy sauces are served on the side. But, not all Mexican food is spicy.
Myth Five: Mexico has a hot and arid climate.
Mexico has a little bit of every climate. There are deserts as well as wonderfully chilly mountain climates that can become rather cool at night. There are jungles as well as moderately temperate climates. At the higher elevations, we even have snow.
Myth Six: English is widely spoken in Mexico.
This is simply not true. American tourists are used to being catered to by resort-town Mexican populations who were forced to become bilingual due to lazy Americans who would not learn Spanish. Three cheers for the Mexicans! While it is true that you can go to Puerto Vallarta and other beach resorts and not have to speak Spanish, it is NOT true in the rest of Mexico. This is something that is very hard for many Americans to accept.
Myth Seven: Drugs come from Mexico.
Drugs come through Mexico from other countries south of it. Remember the drug trade is highly successful only because of the Americans who buy the crap! America creates the market.
Myth Eight: All migrant workers are illegals from Mexico.
"Under 10% of migrant workers are undocumented immigrants. The vast majority are U.S. citizens from Texas. Report on Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in MN, October 1995, University of MN Migrant Program."[1]
Myth Nine: In Minnesota, migrant workers abuse the welfare system.
"If that were the case, they'd stay for the whole year and the hell with the sugar beets. Armando Cuellar, Migrant Worker Counselor in Crookston, MN. Migrant workers have come to Minnesota to work since the early 1900's before the welfare system even existed. "[2]
Myth Ten: Migrant workers are destroying the economy.
"Minnesota's agricultural economy actually depends on the labor of migrant workers. Migrant workers pay taxes. Migrant workers stimulate local ecomonies by buying services and products (e.g. gas, housing, clothing, food, utilities, etc.)."[3]
Myth Eleven: Migrant workers are taking American jobs.
"Eighty to 90% of migrant workers in Minnesota are U.S. citizens. Reported on Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers in Minnesota, October 1995. University of Minnesota Migrant Program. Migrant workers do the labor that 90-97% of surveyed U.S. residents say they will not do. "The Ties That Bind". Maryknoll Products, 1996. "[4]
[1] http://www.diversitycouncil.org/immigrants.s html
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico.
His new book, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country, can be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Art is sometimes overwhelming. Life as a whole can become... Read More ZORRO:Timon of Athens. But most often they wrote in code... Read More Throughout the ages, men and women have used gemstones and... Read More The Million dollars was my life-savings earmarked for prime the... Read More Special Types of MediumsRice paper is a very delicate medium... Read More Our culture is defined by what we have access to!... Read More INSPIRATIONAL COMMENTS:"Let me issue and control a nation's money and... Read More Martius, the month of March, is named after him. So... Read More Many 'fabulous' personages and concepts are created by man. Some... Read More Russian porcelain is widely known and is often used as... Read More I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More Towards the end of Million Dollar Baby the character Scraps,... Read More 'Mr. Rhodes aspired to be the creator of one of... Read More Blown glass, a very ancient technique, is the oldest among... Read More It is funny how web site promotion can suddently plunge... Read More If you have been following gymnastics for any length of... Read More Each Chinese New Year begins on the day of first... Read More Doesn't it seem that today there is nothing but bleak... Read More Juba II in America:Ahmed Osman tells us about the destruction... Read More They were fierce hill tribes in what is now Scotland,... Read More ~ Dread is dizziness unto freedom-freedom that gazes down into... Read More There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in... Read More Grove Mill, Mitcham; where in 1934 many of the iron... Read More Environmental Pollution1. Damage to The Ozone Layer Causes Radiation PollutionThe... Read More Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways... Read More
Adsense
websites
Conceptual Art: Who Appreciates It?
Zorro
Bewitching Jewelry -- Amulets, Talismans and Charms
How I lost A million Dollars In A Bank Robbery
Ernesto Apomayta offers Explanation of Mediums, Paints, & Techniques Used by Artists
The Oldies? Nostalgia? Watchyacallit?
Berenguer Sauniere - This Place is Terrible
Mars, the Mighty and Marvelous
Miss-story
Old Russian Symbolics on a White and Blue Porcelain
Humans are not special, hate to break it to you
Shadows Boxing
What About Those Pyramids?
Egyptian Handmade Perfume Bottles
How To Get Rich and Die Quick!
Carly Patterson: What Makes A Champion?
Chinese Zodiac Signs
The Daily Show is a Must See on Comedy Central
Timbuktu and Brotherhood Too
Nessie, the Beast of the Loch
The Contingencies of Despair: How Existentialists Survive
Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Cups
Last Chance to See: Grove Mill, Mitcham
The Crisis of Human Survival
Smart Art Investments - Buy What You Love!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
American Citizenship
Can We Pass The Test?American CitizenshipI'm the daughter of an... Read More
The Crisis of Human Survival
Environmental Pollution1. Damage to The Ozone Layer Causes Radiation PollutionThe... Read More
Inuit Eskimo Art As Investments
Many people collect Inuit art as investments. Inuit art is... Read More
Family, Incest, and Law
Family Values in Ancient Times:Many people of the present make... Read More
Creating a Virtual Art Gallery
To the online artist, it might seem a paradox, at... Read More
Precious Stones ? The Big Five - Part 3 The Sapphire
The sapphire, protector of the innocent, celestial guardian of truth,... Read More
A Maiden Trip
I belong to a hamlet called 'Konthai' which is in... Read More
Rasputin
GRIGORY EFIMOVICH NOVYKH (RASPUTIN):'Hail, Hail, Ras-putin'. This man's story has... Read More
History and the Cathars (Courtly Love):
This is an entry from my three volume encyclopedia.CRUSADES, CATHARS... Read More
Debussy and Gamelan According to a 150 Year Old Man
Hello!If you haven't been transported by the mesmerizing sounds of... Read More
Humans are not special, hate to break it to you
I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More
Peruvian Artist Shares Why Preservation of Culture and Rituals Sacred To His Art
My artistic endeavor have led me towards a personal sense... Read More
10 Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life
Ever walked into a house that felt like home? Ever... Read More
Cosmic Cow
The cow is a mother to mankind whom we should... Read More
Mars, the Mighty and Marvelous
Martius, the month of March, is named after him. So... Read More
When We Was Kids In Chicago (Part 2)
From an early age my Mother sent me to the... Read More
The Origin of Americas Corporate Elite (BC)
Ephesus had a shrine to the Anatolian mother-goddess and the... Read More
The Western Cowboy
In the State of Texas the Western Cowboy can be... Read More
Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 4
At the end of Part 3 in this series I... Read More
Garnet is Januarys Birthstone
If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you... Read More
Precious Stones The Big Five - Part 4 The Diamond
The diamond is generally regarded as the premier gem in... Read More
Inuit Drum Dancing Of The Arctic
Like many other aboriginal cultures around the world, the Inuit... Read More
Egyptian Handmade Perfume Bottles
Blown glass, a very ancient technique, is the oldest among... Read More
Bad Mouthing Fellow Authors
The creative mind is a gift to humanity; but unfortunately... Read More
A Hidden Oriental Jewel: 100% Chinese Hand-Made Silk Embroidery
IntroductionDo you know what "silk embroidery is? Do you know... Read More
Humanities |