Posted by strikeeagle on May 08, 2001 at 20:52:36:
In Reply to: Mexicans and the Ocean... posted by diego on May 08, 2001 at 19:27:16:
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"Well, many of them also don't like living(or even being) near the ocean because, get this, they are scared of hurricanes." As well they might be. The occasional hurricane DOES brush the coast near Ensenada and TJ. Not every year, but historically about once every decade or two. "You've got to put up with the shitty roads, .... ignorant and racist attitudes to Gringos, the World, and Life, etc." Oh, you mean like the racist attitude exhibited in this post? The fact is that many, not all, but many of las chicas de La Zona Norte are from incredibly poor backgrounds. Many of las chicas come from backgrounds so poor that we spend more on one session than their entire working family makes in one month. Mexico is a Third World country with ALL of the afflictions that come with that status. It also happens to be the ONLY Third World county that shares a common boarder with an Industrialized First World country which adds incredible complexity to the overall social and economic situation. 90% of the people of most Third World countries are more concerned with daily survival then they are with most anything else. And, most of those same people have never been exposed to much education, so they do not see that as a way out of the poverty that they know. I don't believe that this makes these people stupid. They simply have not been exposed to the kinds of things that our community sees on a day to day basis. Even in La Zona, the reality is skewed. Yes, there is money, but there is still limited education and opportunity for personal improvement. (remember the stigma of being una chica de La Zona Norte) Further, many of these chicas do not believe that they CAN improve their lot in life. They do not believe that they can learn, and improve their opportunities. Partially because the folks back home have told many of them that they can not, or that it will matter little how much education they get. And, partly because there are DAMN FEW role models with whom they can associate and emulate. The same socio- and economic realities are repeated all across Mexico, and let's face it, the ruling class has NO INTEREST in changing the status quo. Because once a population becomes educated to the same level as the ruling class, the 'playing field' changes FOREVER. If you're going to judge a country, a culture and a people, at least have the intelligence to place yourself in a position of UNDERSANDING that which you seek to judge. Place yourself in the life role of the average Mexican citizen, and perhaps you can shed your ignorance and prejudice. And, until you can do this, don't even think about retiring in Mexico. Your stay will be very short lived.
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