Hello: A couple of well intentioned folks have inferred my remarks are elitist in some way, because I talked about the differances in ethnic makeup between Mexican-Americans and Mexicans in Mexico. I am sorry if I came across that way, but nothing could be further from the truth.
After re-reading my original post, I couldn't find anything there that resembled elitism. My post was about the diverse ethnic makeup in my region, los Altos de Jalisco, and Mexico in general. I stated that many folks have mis-conceptions, stereotypes or just ignorance of how many immigrant groups have come to Mexico.
I think a few of you are very ethnocentric in your thinking; that is, perhaps you think the USA, Canada and Europe are the only places people immigrate to. Like I said, many groups have come to Mexico over the past 500 years, for various reasons. Some have prospered, some not. An excellent microcosm for this to prove my point are the Irish deserters, who in 1847, left the US Army to fight for Mexico because of mis-treatment due to the fact that they were Catholic.
The San Patricio battalion fought bravely alongside the Mexicans in exchange for 320 acres of land and citizenship. Of course, Mexico lost the War of 1848, and the remaining Irish San Patricios disbanded. Some were hunted down and executed, a few went back to Ireland, some continued as officers along with a handful of Germans in the Mexican army, some were last reported destitute in Mexico, but most stayed, assimilated into Mexican society and prospered at various levels. Some of their descendants are the O'Farrils of Mexico City and the O'Donuhues of Puebla, who are very influential families to this day in Mexican politics and business.
Researching immigrant groups such as Irish, Dutch, German, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, French, Jews, Africans and Syrians to Mexico is fascinating to me. Yes, these are minorities and it is true that the majority of Mexicans are Mestizo, but for someone who held the same misconceptions as many of you do, it is a fascinating process for me.
I am not elitist, however, I am proud of my Swiss heritage and my wife is proud of her Dutch heritage. However, even she says she might have some Indian blood in her. I guess that shoots more holes in your theories about upper class Mexicans. I have beautiful white, natural blonde, blue eyed nieces and I also have some gorgeous , morena and morena clara nieces with brown and blue eyes. How could I be prejudiced or elitist in my thinking when I love all of them equally?
As for recent immigrant groups assimilation into Mexican society, yes, they are just as Mexican as a Mestizo. Try to tell them differant, and you may have a fight on your hands. That is like saying a second or third generation Japanese-American is not American...how foolish and shallow is that thinking.
I have said nothing combative or elitist on this forum, I am just trying to show Mexico is more diverse and exists on many planes, thats all. I hope I have presented a good picture of what the new, modern Mexico is about...
Saludos desde los Altos...
