Unintended Consequences

The problems of violence by Mexican drug cartels and the growing resentment against illegal immigration along the U.S. southern border, has led to the dislike of the entire population of Mexico and their thoroughly American descendants in the eyes of many Americans. That is a tragedy.

I live in a city located about 50 miles from Mexico, where persons of ethic Mexican descent are the majority. Having visited Mexico many times, I can attest to the fact that the Mexican people and their progeny, in general, are the kind of people you would like as your neighbors. They have deeply held religious faith and strong family ties. Are there some big cultural differences? Yes. But these differences are not universally apparent.

Last night my wife and I had dinner in one of our city's numerous independently owned "Mexican" restaurants. Actually, that is a misnomer. the cuisine we call Mexican is rarely found in Mexico once you leave the proximity of the U.S. border. In fact, it is probably more common in U.S. restaurants than in their Mexican counterparts.

During dinner, a local group of mariachi musicians came into the restaurant and played for the patrons. They were dressed in what has become traditional mariachi attire... black trousers with silver decorations nicely attached down the outside of each leg, white shirts with a white, satin bow, and black vests.

While the group were not great musicians, they were not bad, and I fully enjoyed their performance. One fellow had obviously acquired his attire at a younger age and had decidedly outgrown the fit. But since they played only for tips, one can understand his inability to afford a new outfit.

I requested a popular Mexican song, made famous by Mexican superstars Juan Gabriel and the late Rosío Dúrcal, but they did not know the song, a testament to the fact that the group were decidedly more American than Mexican.

The musicians played three or four songs and left the restaurant. We finished our dinner with a most warm feeling of affection and appreciation for these friendly people; along with a touch of sadness in the knowledge that many Americans will never learn to appreciate the goodness in so many of our southern neighbors.