Grito

Today is Mexican Independence Day. So tip your busboys well and be nice to your maid . . . ya exploitative bastard!

I’ve only been to Mexico on vacation. I’m a Chicano or what the Mexicans like to call “pocho” (half-baked). Furthermore, I live in the Midwest and while the Latino population is growing everywhere this is still pretty much no-man’s land. Still, Latinos from Kansas City to Tiera del Fuego know that we have more things in common than not. Illegal or otherwise, migrant worker or professional, activist or Republican we are all members of what was once called “La Raza” and now is now referred to with makeshift terms like “Hispanic.”

And while I don’t have any love for the government of Mexico, I’m happy to celebrate with people who share my culture. Sure this might come off like nationalist sentiment but despite what polls or a few sellouts might say there is a sense among many Latinos that we are the future of the Western Hemisphere of this planet. Despite borders, discrimination or anti-immigrant sentiment Mexican culture has endured conquerors, outside influences and changing times . . . we continue to adapt, adjust, sometimes assimilate and hopefully advance . . . this process is happening all over the country and right here in Kansas City.

¡Viva La Raza!