Thanks Doug! Striking a balance between "facts" and editorial commentary is a challenge for me - happy to hear that I might be getting the balance right (to shamelessly steal from a Depeche Mode song)
I can see why you like Mexico so much :-) The more I learn, the more I appreciate its roots in values that I too share, such as inclusivity. Thanks again for an article that I can actually absorb in a subject (history) that I have traditionally struggled with.
simply float away" reminds me of a saying from my Mexican upbringing, "Tablita de salvación". I bet I could float and be saved from the ocean's (life) turbulent waters from any piece of your flotsam and jetsom.
Mar 21, 2023·edited Mar 21, 2023Liked by Mike Leavy
Interesting article and fascinating difference with the inclusion / exclusion of the native population. We discussed the life of Benito Juárez in the University, but I don't think we touched on this overall cultural aspect. And certainly not the difference between how Mexico and the U.S. treated the indigenous population.
Still I wonder sometimes what the overall attitude is today. I'll never forget a conversation I had with a rather well-to-do Mexican woman one day in a plaza principal. My early days in Mexico like 12 years ago. Okay, I'll name the town: SMA. After learning I was from the states, she said: Oh, you did it right. You exterminated your Indians.
I didn't get into it with her, but I was shocked and soon left.
Yes, there is definitely prejudice today in Mexico, but that exchange you had seems pretty far out there - I’ve (thankfully) never encountered that attitude. Hopefully that kind of attitude is dying, but classism and racism still abound. Take care Victor and thanks for the comment, I really appreciate the opportunity to hear your perspective and experience.
Yes. I think it was a one-off. I've talked with many people since then and have never encountered anything remotely similar. Not sure why I even brought it up. :( I need to remind myself once in a while to stay focused on the positive. Anyway, keep up the good work.
Where were you, Sir, when I needed to fulfill my university History 101? I might have changed my major to history. "I wasn't born yet", you say. OK. I forgive you, then.
"Mexico is a civilization defined by the inclusion of cultures from the Americas and Europe." Sadly, I suspect the tendency may be motivated by a wish to be more European. Perhaps, evidence might be revealed when you share your "recklessly light-on-detail" story of Maximiliano y Carlota and who and why invited them to Mexico.
ps. I might borrow "The Variegated Paths" expression for the title of my memoir.
"Sadly, I suspect the tendency may be motivated by a wish to be more European" ah yes, why do so many of us aspire to be something else? I am looking forward to writing about Maximiliano y Carlota (which will, of course, be so light on detail that it may simply float away from the Substack servers - I'll add some artificial weights to it just in case).
Thanks for the comment - and feel free to borrow as much or as little of my randomly typed out ravings as you wish!
Thanks Mike, I appreciate how you repeatedly qualify the shortness of your description and at the same time, you convey a lot of information well. 🙏🏼
Thanks Doug! Striking a balance between "facts" and editorial commentary is a challenge for me - happy to hear that I might be getting the balance right (to shamelessly steal from a Depeche Mode song)
this is the stupidest thing i have ever read
sorry typo. i meant most brilliant.
I would have settled for “one of the stupidest”
I can see why you like Mexico so much :-) The more I learn, the more I appreciate its roots in values that I too share, such as inclusivity. Thanks again for an article that I can actually absorb in a subject (history) that I have traditionally struggled with.
Glad you are finding the subject absorbable and that it’s resonating with you, Christy!
Your response
simply float away" reminds me of a saying from my Mexican upbringing, "Tablita de salvación". I bet I could float and be saved from the ocean's (life) turbulent waters from any piece of your flotsam and jetsom.
Interesting article and fascinating difference with the inclusion / exclusion of the native population. We discussed the life of Benito Juárez in the University, but I don't think we touched on this overall cultural aspect. And certainly not the difference between how Mexico and the U.S. treated the indigenous population.
Still I wonder sometimes what the overall attitude is today. I'll never forget a conversation I had with a rather well-to-do Mexican woman one day in a plaza principal. My early days in Mexico like 12 years ago. Okay, I'll name the town: SMA. After learning I was from the states, she said: Oh, you did it right. You exterminated your Indians.
I didn't get into it with her, but I was shocked and soon left.
Thanks for the article Mike!
Yes, there is definitely prejudice today in Mexico, but that exchange you had seems pretty far out there - I’ve (thankfully) never encountered that attitude. Hopefully that kind of attitude is dying, but classism and racism still abound. Take care Victor and thanks for the comment, I really appreciate the opportunity to hear your perspective and experience.
Yes. I think it was a one-off. I've talked with many people since then and have never encountered anything remotely similar. Not sure why I even brought it up. :( I need to remind myself once in a while to stay focused on the positive. Anyway, keep up the good work.
Where were you, Sir, when I needed to fulfill my university History 101? I might have changed my major to history. "I wasn't born yet", you say. OK. I forgive you, then.
"Mexico is a civilization defined by the inclusion of cultures from the Americas and Europe." Sadly, I suspect the tendency may be motivated by a wish to be more European. Perhaps, evidence might be revealed when you share your "recklessly light-on-detail" story of Maximiliano y Carlota and who and why invited them to Mexico.
ps. I might borrow "The Variegated Paths" expression for the title of my memoir.
"Sadly, I suspect the tendency may be motivated by a wish to be more European" ah yes, why do so many of us aspire to be something else? I am looking forward to writing about Maximiliano y Carlota (which will, of course, be so light on detail that it may simply float away from the Substack servers - I'll add some artificial weights to it just in case).
Thanks for the comment - and feel free to borrow as much or as little of my randomly typed out ravings as you wish!