Do you know how to cook nopales?

Last Wednesday, as part of a contribution for a Chicago's newspaper, Ms. Liz Nino -my english teacher- asked us to answer some questions about our lives as Mexican students. Today, the article was posted online and it asked the readers to put their comments and questions. Some of them talked about how Mexican and Latin American culture has had an important influence to some people and others criticized Latinos' lack of identity and sense of legalality.

So, as a very proud Mexican, I want to make clear our point of view.

We aren't as different as the rest of the world: we have families, we go to school, we work at companies, we build things, we make art, we watch the news, we have access to internet, and if you didn't know, we even have our own cars. But we also have a historical background that I think, is where the things that make us different relay on.

I'm 17 years old, and I am a scholarship student at the Prepa Tec, one of the most prestigious private high schools, not only of the country but of the world. I have Spanish and French, as well as native-Mexican, close heritage. I speak english and I'm thinking about which my next language is going to be. My biggest dream is to get to travel the world and move over constantly: not to have a certain place, incognity. But I have also aquired a deep love for my country and a very particular Mexican identity. Some people say that Latin American identity is very complex because everyone has different roots, experiences, and a way to see the world, but what I think is that that is exactely what our identity is. Sadly, the world isn't aware of that.

I have had a wide variety of experiences with people from other countries and it is very surprising that half of them really get to know Mexico, and when they realize where Mexico's richness is there's no turning back. And the other half just don't really care. Most of the times when foreigners think about Mexico they see a guy sleeping below a nopal, with a gun, wearing"huaraches" and a big sombrero. The truth is, and for Mexicans too, that stereotypes and prejudices play a very important role when talking about a nationality.But all Mexicans, including me, have this strong romantic idea about our country that fills our heart and makes us cry in a such complicated way that I wouldn't finish if describing it. We love with all our soul our background: the European influences in art and religion, the natives who are the kindest people, our food and the huge impact that it has culturally, etc.

But not everything is flowers and honey. Mexico has lots of social problems that -let's face it- can't be fixed with a simple law. Poverty and iliteracy are big factors regarding to those problems. Although the US may not be guilty of Mexico's problems, most mexicans aren't guilty either. When a Mexican crosses the border illegaly to get a descent job is not because he wants to, is because it is the only way out (Thomas More). I'm not justifying the fact, I'm only exposing a point of view. Criminals are all over the world and they aren't all Mexicans. Yes: there is a lot of insecurity and criminality in our country and a lot of injustice and lack of government ability too.

So it is up to each one of us to build a point of view regarding to these matters: take a little time and think about it from the human point of view, analyze the laws and history and what would you do when standing in someone's shoes. The reason is the answer to the truth's question, some philosophers say, but it is a long equation to isolate.



Ruins in Mexico City



Mexico City at night



                                                     

Gaining Weight: Kilos of Responsability

In 2003, the parents of two teenage girls sued McDonald’s claiming that the food chain was responsible of their kids’ obesity. The suit was dismissed by the federal judge that was in charge of that case because of the lack of arguments. According to CNN news, judge Robert Sweet said during the trial that “the complaint failed to allege the McDonald's products consumed by the plaintiffs were dangerous in any way other than that which was open and obvious to a reasonable consumer”. The concern here is if people are supposed to know the basic things about nutrition, health, and food, or if fast-food franchises -and the different institutions and places children assist, like schools for example -should change their products into healthier ones or have the obligation of giving specific data to their customers about the food they’re selling. ¿Who’s responsible for an individual’s obesity? ¿Himself, or the places he eats at? ¿Is it the government, the society, or his own family?

Kids from 6 to 8 years old spend most of their time at school, so this is a very influent environment for them. Schools are aware of the problematic situation that kids’ health is passing through so they try to give them the very best. Since elementary school, children are taught about nutrition: it is common for teachers to give assignments about the nutritional pyramid, planning a healthy menu, bringing a healthy dish to the classroom for an outdoor learning picnic, etc. Earlier this year, members of the National Congress in Mexico approved a law against child obesity: no fast food or junk food can be sold at schools. Instead, schools can sell food with higher nutritional value and less fat and calories, all of this plus the exercise that is mandatory for gym class.

The family is another important surrounding for kids. It is known that eating habits are learnt and that’s why it is common to see thin families and fat families. Who eats properly will teach his kids to do the same, and vice versa. It is important that doctors offer or give counseling about this matter to soon-to-be parents in order to avoid obesity as strongly as other health problems are attacked and prevented. The government could also take part on this by organizing campaigns to give people that have fewer economic possibilities free counseling about eating habits, or approve laws to give specific diet instructions as part of the regular medic exam for every patient.

Fast-food chains are all around the globe, and in most countries at least one restaurant of that kind is standing at every corner. Executives could design strategies to mention nutrition facts, implement an alternative healthier menu, etc., that could work even as merchandising. What is true about restaurants like McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr., Burger King, and others, is that their advertising is very tricky showing appetizing images, toys, fun, and sometimes even sex is implicitly used in their commercials in order to drag kids to their food. Someone could say that “as cigarettes commercials were banned because smoking causes cancer, also fast-food commercials should be banned too because it causes obesity”, That might be a reasonable argument, but it is commonly known, and if it isn’t then it is a well-known urban myth, that fast food contains a very high percentage of fat, salt, carbohydrates and conservatives which, if consumed constantly, cause serious cardiovascular, liver, pancreas, renal and colon problems besides obesity, and I think that if a kid has access to fast-food advertising in a country like the US is because he also has some knowledge about it.

Whatever causes obesity has, I think that no one is responsible of a kid’s obesity. Every different factor is part of the sum that equals “if we do this, it is more likely that the kid will be…” Yes, I think kids must be taught about nutrition at school and at home, and that fast-food restaurants must take some of their social commitment and canalize it into warning the kids about nutrition facts, healthier alternatives, etc. because that way they would be saving money that goes as donations for organizations that fight diseases that sometimes are developed because obesity. People need to be more conscious and figure out for themselves which are the problems they’re facing and do something about it. But no matter who’s at fault, at the end all the responsibility will decay on the kid’s shoulders because he is the one who has the last decision. A kid could be taught how to eat one way or another, and be told all the pros and cons about fast-food, but he is the one that is going to decide if listening and take care of himself or not.