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