A favorite cartoon of mine is where an old-time Hollywood director is in his chair voicing into his bullhorn "stereotypes" and in so many ways isn't that what Hollywood and the movie industry is about? How many flicks have you seen where an up-and-coming American family has a maid maybe in the kitchen or taking care of the kids and her name is perhaps Maria or some kind of Spanish name.
Everyone is guilty of using stereotypes in one fashion or another and I include myself. In my opinion a stereotype can be racial, racist or maybe somewhat harmless depending on the context and even the way in which it's used. Some examples might be: academics, conservatives, liberals, southerners or "those damn hippies". Stereotyping seems to be a part of speech that neglects details. A kind of generalization. I like the adage "all generalizations are wrong, including this one". So, a stereotype at times can be unfair and bigoted.
My blog El México de Joaquín is in honor of my father who was Joaquín Durán Jimenez Castro using his full name as is common in Spanish speaking countries. My papá never fit into stereotype categories with his avid tastes in classical music and a wealth of cultural nuances.
When I was young our family visited a Synagogue in Indianapolis as my father had an appointment with the Rabbi to perhaps convert to Judaism. He opened the doors of learning for me when it came to the world's cultures because of his own interests. The Rabbi might have talked him out of the converting I don't remember but papá did mention many times the possibility of a Sephardi Jewish background from his father's side.
I saw a YouTube video about Jews in Mexico City, when they migrated from other countries, about the neighborhood La Condesa with it's background of Jews and it's Synagogues. So, Jews in Mexico? Well yes and much more than that. How about a Korean community, Italians distributed throughout the country, Scottish Mexicans like the Creels in Chihuahua and the list goes on and on.
Mexico is a multi-cultured nation especially when venturing into one of it's major cities in particular Mexico City where my father Joaquin was born. By traveling and spending time there you can see all kinds of ethnic groups and backgrounds. This country has so much to see and so many people with diverse heritages and cultures.
Hollywood is an industry, and the strong images it leaves with us of people are not "the whole truth". I love movies but I also love truth about countries and cultures. And when I say cultures I am talking about PEOPLE.
I hope to continue this blog named after the man that did not leave me a large treasure for an inheritance but left some things that have certainly enriched my life and I hope to keep this dialogue going with those of you who would like to subscribe. Hasta pronto amigos!
Everyone is guilty of using stereotypes in one fashion or another and I include myself. In my opinion a stereotype can be racial, racist or maybe somewhat harmless depending on the context and even the way in which it's used. Some examples might be: academics, conservatives, liberals, southerners or "those damn hippies". Stereotyping seems to be a part of speech that neglects details. A kind of generalization. I like the adage "all generalizations are wrong, including this one". So, a stereotype at times can be unfair and bigoted.
My blog El México de Joaquín is in honor of my father who was Joaquín Durán Jimenez Castro using his full name as is common in Spanish speaking countries. My papá never fit into stereotype categories with his avid tastes in classical music and a wealth of cultural nuances.
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| Joaquín and Duke. |
I saw a YouTube video about Jews in Mexico City, when they migrated from other countries, about the neighborhood La Condesa with it's background of Jews and it's Synagogues. So, Jews in Mexico? Well yes and much more than that. How about a Korean community, Italians distributed throughout the country, Scottish Mexicans like the Creels in Chihuahua and the list goes on and on.
Mexico is a multi-cultured nation especially when venturing into one of it's major cities in particular Mexico City where my father Joaquin was born. By traveling and spending time there you can see all kinds of ethnic groups and backgrounds. This country has so much to see and so many people with diverse heritages and cultures.
Hollywood is an industry, and the strong images it leaves with us of people are not "the whole truth". I love movies but I also love truth about countries and cultures. And when I say cultures I am talking about PEOPLE.
I hope to continue this blog named after the man that did not leave me a large treasure for an inheritance but left some things that have certainly enriched my life and I hope to keep this dialogue going with those of you who would like to subscribe. Hasta pronto amigos!
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| My book. |
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