Sweeping, Littering, and cultural elitism
Date: today
Subject: 4 Sweeping, Littering, and cultural elitism
CAUTION: The following material may not be suitable for P.C. readers.
Hello Mom
Every morning all across Mexico brooms are being worked inside and outside
of homes and shops. Most women and a few men are busily sweeping the
courtyards and sidewalks of their homes and businesses. Once done sweeping
all the previous days refuse into the street they return with a pail of
water to throw on it. I suppose the water is used to prevent it from
blowing; however, this is only conjecture. What the water does do is ensure
the dirt sticks to your shoes and the next person walking into the home or
business is sure to track in a extra load of dirt. In this way, I suppose,
there will always be plenty to sweep out the next morning.
Every morning and throughout the day it�s sweep, sweep, sweep, clean, clean,
clean. Then take all that trash and throw it in the river, the road, over
the wall around your house, in the footpath, and everywhere. Everyone is
doing their part to maintain Mexicos system of "everywhere is a trashcan".
You can take that trash and throw it forty feet in front of your house so
that you can keep an eye on your trash heap while sitting on the patio
enjoying the at home version of plaza life, and wondering why there are so
many ants around.
As for me I do not condemn Mexicos love affair with littering. In fact I
see it for what it is. Littering for Mexicans is just another facet of
their culture like plaza life. For me or any other foreigner to come to
Mexico and condemn them for their time honored tradition, their birthright,
of littering would be nothing less than an act of cultural elitism. It would
be the equivalent of Cortez stepping off his boat and saying
"OK you silly injuns (use Mexicans here) I know whats best. For I am of
superior intellect and culture."
To come to Mexico and tell them that littering is wrong would be the same as
telling them that fiestas, or roadside shrines are wrong. If you choose to
accept a culture you must accept it warts and all. If you choose only to
accept the parts of the culture that synchronize with your cultural mores
and reject the rest then you are a cultural elitist. There is nothing wrong
with being a cultural elitist, because clearly some cultures are superior to
others. Unfortunately the judgment of what culture is superior is
incredibly subjective. The important point is that you realize you are a
cultural elitist if you cannot accept the culture totally.
Don�t know if you are a cultural elitist? Here�s a test. Contemplate your
reaction as you pass by the mounds of technicolor plastic bottles and bags
covering Mexico. When you pass by these monuments to Mexican culture do you
cringe in repulsion and disgust, or do you quickly chug down that last bit
of Coke from a plastic bottle and heave it out the window while yelling
"Viva Mexico!!" in an act of cultural acceptance? Indeed this is the rock
in road that many left leaning liberal travelers stumble over. As for me I
truly am open minded. To all of you I proclaim from the lofty captains seat
of my truck "Viva Mexico!!!!!"and I proclaim it often.
Now for all of you cultural elitist who read this and think I am terrible
for littering contemplate this. I never litter in the USA because
everywhere there is a trashcan, and I never litter in Mexico because
everywhere is a trashcan. If your still savoring the bad taste of cultural
elitism and need an outlet for your anger allow me to propose yet another
contemplation. Tens of thousands of Mexicans cross the border into the USA
every year for work. Many are in the USA for years. Do you think they are
as culturally accepting of the USA as I am of Mexico? Notice any trash on
your road?
Love ya Mom
Warren
Remember Webester likes to be scratched behind his ears
