"A Better Life" a moving experience. . . It draws one to Outrage or just rage

Note: In the movie "A Better Life" veteran Mexican actor Demián Bichir tries to seek "A Better Life" for him and his son. The movie is strikingly realistic. It touches the issue of immigratin reform in our country like few movies have. It sends a poignant message that Prsident Barrack Obama could understand better if he watched the movie. In El Paso, recently, President Obama promised comprehensive immigration reform. It's time.

I write this blog with a sense of outrage. No, make that rage.

I open this blog with a review of Chicano history. A generation ago in the 1960s to the 1980s many Mexicano young people took to the streets to protest the continuous acts of discrimination and denial of civil rights we suffered under the dominant Anglo population.

I would say, that for the most part, those protests worked. Today Mexicanos and Tejanos born in the United States and those activist Chicanos who valiantly fought for civil rights are enjoying a piece of the American pie and living "A Better Life." But, we grew old and lost our valor and many of us are now complacent and even reluctant to open our eyes and see that our brothers and sisters - the new Latino immigrants to our country - are been treated with disrespect and disregard for their humanness. They are being abused right before our very eyes and we do nothing (nada).

Oh, sure, Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, the famed Latino radio DJ from California who has now won national acclaim, did organize a national rally and boycott to bring attention to the immigration problem in our country. But, many of us said, that's not our fight. We have fought our fight. It's the immigrants turn to fight for their rights. Besides, they are not even citizens, some may say.

Where is the outrage? Where is our soul and heart? Why don't we understand that when they belittle one Hispanic, Latino, Mexicano, Tejano, they belittle all of us? Why can't we see that the Arizona law is not the anomaly but the norm in this country that is becoming more and more anti-Hispanic with each passing year?

I must apologize for my "Juanito llego tarde (Johnny come lately) attitude on this issue. I have always wanted to do something, but .... It was a movie that changed my mind and opened my eyes.

The movie "A Better Life" was so realistic that it hit too close to home. The movie features veteran Mexican movie actor Demián Bichir in the role of Carlos Galindo, an immigrant father who is fighting to give his son Luis (Jose Julian) "A Better Life" in the United States. One thing leads to another and eventually he gets caught without a driver's license and is deported, leaving Luis behind. He is sent to a detention center as he awaits his deportation for months. He lives with the regular prison population even though he has been a law-abiding citizen his entire life in the United States. He is treated like a common thief, murderer or rapist. He gets no respect and his only crime has been that he was looking for "A Better Life" for him and his son.

One of my former students had a similar experience. He made a mistake on some paperwork. Soon, the Department of Homeland Security came to look for him at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. They found him working at the University Bookstore, handcuffed him and took him away. He had no chance to pack his belongings, make sure his car was okay or talk to his professors about his classes. He had no rights in this country. He was illegal. In an instant, he was off to Houston. Three days later, he found himself in a detention center in Louisiana where he began a nine-month stay in the Immigration Services detention centers. He was finally released and will be taking classes at A&M-Kingsville this fall and hopes to get his master's soon. He is still searching for his belongings. He has lost everything, but he is back "home" in the Corpus Christi area. He was offered the choice to be deported to El Salvador, his home country as a child, and avoid the trauma of living in a jail cell for almost a year, but refused, saying simply, "This (the United States) is my home."

He was lucky. Ninety-nine out of 100 immigration detainees are deported. Under President Barrack Obama's administration, those numbers have increased and undocumented immigrants (not criminals) in the U.S. deportation center are treated worse than ever. The deportations under President Obama are on pace to surpass 37,100for the year, an increase of more than 1,200 from 2010. If the trend continues, the Obama administration will have prosecuted more illegal immigrants for illegal re-entry in his first term than George W. Bush’s administration did in his two terms combined. From 2001 to 2008, 111,920 aliens were prosecuted for the crime — 42,465 in Bush’s first term and 69,455 in his second, an annual average of about 10,600 and 17,360, respectively. Obama's administration is averaging about 34,355 annually and is on pace to surpass 103,000 in his first three years.

So, why is this Democratic president who rode to victory behind Hispanic vote turning a blind eye to this? It's baffling. Statistics show 64% of Hispanic males and 68% of Hispanic females supported Obama. Latino youth supported Obama over McCain by a lopsided margin -- 76% versus 19%.

So, what's the deal?

Reports from Washington say Obama has simply decided that we are a nation of laws and laws should be followed. He forgets that slavery was once legal in this country, but that law changed.

One thing is clear, Barrack Obama would not be president of the United States without the Latino vote in the American Southwest and, to a certain extent, Texas. It is clear that the Hispanic voter looked to Obama to lead the immigration reform. It is clear that the Hispanic gave Obama a mandate to go to Washington and "change the law or practice" that is clearly as unconstitutional as the issue of slavery was in the 19th century. Besides, it's simply a human rights issue. Period.

We must urge President Obama to do something. We must show him we are outraged that he has sat there motionless and made campaign speech after campaign speech, including a recent one in El Paso, where he promised, again, he would take the lead in this quest.

I would like to start by asking President Barrack Obama to go see the movie "A Better Life." Then, if he is moved enough, I would like to ask him to visit an immigration detention center and talk to some of the immigrants. He would find that the vast majority of them are hard-working "residents" of our country who deserve a better chance, "A Better LIfe." He will find that they are treated inhumanely and we are probably violating the Geneva Convention.

Then, I would ask him to go into the Mexicano barrios and, after witnessing first-hand how the jornaleros (journey man or day laborers) who line up for "work" at street corners in cities throughout our country, call a press conference and say simply, "Bienvenidos (Welcome)."

I want him to say, "There is work here for you. Come out of the shadows and join our society. We will develop a system for you to gain your citizenship. Continue working hard and you too will have a piece of the American pie and realize el sueno Americano. This is your country. We are a country of immigrants who worked hard to seek 'A Better Life.' Continue to work hard. Be decent hard-working people and you will have 'A Better Life' in this great country you so desire to be a part of. We did away with slavery years ago. It's time now for immigration reform."

Of course, right wingers would cry foul and President Obama will be put down by lunatic fringe among our country's conservatives. But I would bet the Hispanic would come to his rescue. I would bet he would a hero bigger than life and more important than all the revolutionary heroes in Mexican history - well, maybe not Emiliano Zapata. I would bet that few would threaten him after they realized the Hispanic population was solidly behind him. I know. I'm dreaming, but it could happen.

The movie - "A Better Life" - will get him thinking about his current stance on immigration reform. It will get him moving. He needs to see it. It will definitely open his eyes and stir his conscience.

Oh, after Birchir's character - Carlos Galindo - is deported, the true message of the movie is revealed. The last time Galindo talked to his son Luis, Luis made him promise him he would come back. The last scene shows Galindo and other undocumented immigrants approaching the U.S./Mexico border in Arizona. As the coyote points and says the United States is just north of a certain landmark. Galindo looks up to the sky and says, "I'm going home."

Let's hope he made it and let's hope by the time another movie is made on this character President Barrack Obama would have seen the light and done the right thing. We are a nation of laws, Mr. President, but laws have changed in the past and it's time to make comprehensive immigration reform a reality. It's time to stop the undignified treatment of Hispanic, Latino, Mexican immigrants and help them have "A Better Life."

On rooting for Mexico at a soccer game in the Rose Bowl . . .

There has been much consternation from right-wing extremists over the show of support for the Mexican soccer team during the recent matchup with the USA team in Pasadena, Calif. The U.S. Men’s National Team lost to Mexico, 4-2, in the final of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in a thrilling encounter in front of more than 93,000 at the Rose Bowl, June 25.

Problem was, perhaps 80,000 of those at the Rose Bowl, were rooting for Mexico. Essentially, Mexico was the home team on one of the USA's most hallowed sports arena. When the ceremony was over, the public address announcer - perhaps noticing the preponderance of Mexican fans who most assuredly spoke Spanish - decided to do the awards ceremony in Spanish.

Of course, this angered many Americans, including the players for our national team, some of whom are Hispanic. The explanation for the lack of American support at this CONCACAF finals is simple, Americans are not soccer fans. Period. Our (USA) fans were not there. The few thousand who were rooting for the USA team at the Rose Bowl represent the soccer fanatics in our country. Others were enjoying baseball, hockey, basketball or thinking about the coming football season, be it high school, college or pro.

Fact is, football, not futbol soccer, is the single most important sport in the United States. Futbol, is most important sport in Mexico. In the good ol' USA, soccer ranks somewhere between ice hockey, synchronized swimming and middle school basketball. Yes, even Little League football and baseball rank higher than soceer in the USA.

Those "Mexican" fans certainly have roots in Mexico. Many just arrived here seeking the American Dream. At most, they are a generation or two removed from Mexico. Their allegiance to Mexico is strong. In fact, any Mexican-American can tell you that our ties to that country remain strong no matter how long we have been in the United States, so it's natural, very natural to root for Mexico. A couple of traditional Mexican songs will explain this.

Luis Miguel's hit, "Mexico en la piel (Mexico in my skin or under my skin)" is a classic that will send goose bumps over anyone who has Mexican ties or roots.

Como una mirada hecha en Sonora (Like a look made into a song)
Vestida con el mar de Cozumel (Dressed with the Cozumel sea)
Con el color del sol por todo el cuerpo (With the color of the sun throughout the body)
Asi se lleva Mexico en la piel (That's how Mexico gets under your skin)

Como el buen tequila de esta tierra (Like the good tequila of this land)
O como un amigo de Yucatan (Or like a friend from Yucatan)
Y en Aguascaliente deshilados (and lost like a losse wire in Aguacalientes)
O una lana tejida en Teotitlan (Or like silk sewn in Teotilan)
Asi se siente Mexico, asi se siente Mexico, (That's how Mexico feels, That's how Mexico feels)
Asi como unos labios por la piel (Like lips all over your skin)
Asi te envuelve Mexico, asi te sabe Mexico (That's how Mexico consumes you, that's how Mexico tastes)
Y asi se lleva Mexico en la piel (And that's how Mexico get under your skin)

Como ver la sierra de Chihuahua (Like seeing the mountain range of Chihuahua)
O artesania en San Miguel (Or the art work and handicrats in San Miguel)
Remontar el cerro de la silla (Climb again the mountain peak of the silla)
Asi se lleva Mexico en la piel. (That's how Mexico gets under your skin)

Como acompanarse con mariachi (Like being backed up by a mariachi band when you sing)
Para hacer llorar a esa cancion (To make that song cry)Que en el sur se toca con marimba (in the south of Mexico do it with a marimba)
Y en el norte con acordeon (and in the north they play the song with an accordion)

Asi se siente Mexico, asi se siente Mexico, (That's how Mexico feels, that's how Mexico feels)
Asi como unos labios por la piel (Sort of like lips touching your skin)
Asi te envuelve Mexico, asi te sabe Mexico (That's how Mexico consumes you, that's how Mexico tastes)
Y asi se lleva Mexico en la piel (And that's how Mexico gets under your skin)

Como un buen sarape de Saltillo (Like a good sarape from Saltillo)
Como bienvenida en Veracruz (Like a welcoming in Veracruz)
Con la emocion de un beso frente a frente (With emotion of a kiss on your forehead)
Asi se lleva Mexico en la piel (That's how you carry Mexico under your skin)

Como contemplar el mar Caribe (Like you're contemplating the Caribbean Sea)
Descubrir un bello amanecer (Discovering and observing a beautiful sunrise)
Tener fresca brisa de Morelia (Feeling the fresh breeze of Morelia)
La luna acariciando a una mujer (And the moon carassing a woman)

Asi se siente Mexico, asi se siente Mexico, (That's what Mexico feels like, that's what Mexico feels like)
Asi como unos labios por la piel (Just as if you're sensing someone's lips touching your skin)
Asi te envuelve Mexico, asi te sabe Mexico (That's how Mexico consumes you, that's how Mexico tastes)
Y asi se lleva Mexico en la piel (And that's how you get Mexico under your skin)

I have to admit. Mexico's romanticism, history and culture are very strong in me and my family and we certainly feel an allegiance to the country. But, I don't think I would root for Mexico against the USA. It would take special circumstances. It would be sort of when Texas plays Texas A&M in football or any other sport. Because of family ties, I am going to root for Texas. But, when Texas is out of the picture, I will root for Texas A&M.

But, there's another song that is deep in my roots that may help explain allegiance to Mexico. It's a song my grandfather was familiar with and a song my father took with him when he fougt for the USA four years in World War II. It's called, "Mexico Lindo y Querido" and it has some haunting lyrics that every one with an ounce of Mexican blood or culture would get goose bumps to if they listened carefully. The great charro movie star Jorge Negrete made it popular. Here is the most haunting part of that song:

México Lindo y Querido (Dear and beloved Mexico)
si muero lejos de ti (If I die far away from you)
que digan que estoy dormido (Let them say that I am asleep)
y que me traigan aquí (And have them bring me back home to you)

Que digan que estoy dormido (Let them say that I am asleep)
y que me traigan aquí (And have them bring me to you)
México Lindo y Querido (Beloved and dearest Mexico)
si muero lejos de ti (If I die far from you)

Okay, so allegiance to Mexico for anyone who has the culture in him or her has been established. That does not, however, explain why those living in the United States either as citizens or legal residents would cheer against the USA. Honestly, if you are in the United States, you should cheer from the USA. Right?

Well, let's wait a while. If you live in the United States and other Americans have had a history of treating you like a second-class citizen, passing anti-Hispanic laws like Arizona and other states, and saying that you are not worth much to this country, you're going to feel a certain sense of pride for your culture and roots and you just might root for the other team. This will not change until the anti-Hispanic fervor of reactionary Americans, mainly Republicans, changes and America decides to treat all with Hispanic roots as real Americans. For the record, you all, "Aquí estamos y no nos vamos, (We're here and we're not leaving)." A better wat of saying that, my gradfather used to say is, "Aquí estuvimos, y no nos fuimos (We were here and we didn't leave when you all got here - c/s).

Mexican Americans have been treated unfairly in this country since different parts of the American Southwest became part of the United States. We became strangers in our own land and now some politicians have the audacity to pass horrid laws designed to belittle us. I don't think so.

Let's look at what happened in California a little more carefully. It was just a soccer game. It's not politics. No one says anything when southerners proudly salute the battle flag of the Confederacy, or even when skinheads proudly salute the Nazi flag. Most feel these people have the right to do this, as Americans. Wow.

Okay, so let's assume that the majority of the 80,000 Mexican cheering for the Mexican team at the Rose Bowl are either American citizens or legal residents of the United States, do they not have the right to cheer for any team they choose?

I think so. So, let's not be self-righteous about a sporting affair. Let's sit back and realize that years-and-years of atrocities and denyig of civil rights to people who were born and raised in the American Southwest is going to take a little time to get over. Let's realize that allegiance is as thick as blood and that while all Mexican Americans love and respect the United States, cheering for old Mexico (and I don't know why they call it old) is allowed and heallthy. It's just a soccer game and most Americans (of any ethnicity) don't care about soccer. I know, I know, I just insulted my hermanos mexicanos(Mexican brothers)who swear soccer is the the one only sport. To them I say, just as I say to those who critized them, sacanse la daga (get the sword out of your body, or simply, get over it).

As another song says:

Viva Mexico, viva America (Long live Mexico, Long live America)
oh suelo bendito de Dios (Oh, land that God has blessed)
viva Mexico, viva America (Long live Mexico, long live America)
mi sangre por ti dare yo (My blood, life Y would give for you).

Happy Father's Day - Amando

On this Father's Day, I want to stop to honor the man who took care of me, raised me and showed me the value of being a good man. Today, I realize I have let him down many times and I apologize for that. Still, I hope that in some way I have made him proud of me through the years. Today I want to honor my step father Amando Saenz (pictured above waving and in his Army uniform). I want to tell him simply, "I love you Amando, dad."

My biological father died in a car accident when I was nine, just a few days short of my 10th birthday. It was as hard a blow as a boy that age could take. Two years later, Amando became my step father as he married my mom, Maria.

I remember Amando visiting the family to watch on TV Gillette Friday Night Fights with my father. They would sit in the living room, drinking beer and munching on snacks and talking about everything from the weather to high school football and their experiences in World War II.

Amando was a bachelor. One day my father asked him when he was going to be married. Amando responded quickly, "Manuel, I'm not going to get married until I find a woman like your wife, Maria."

He was serious and my dad didn't take too kindly to the words. I still remember his reaction. He was, well, aghast. There were other words exchanged and shortly after, Amando left.

But, he had made it known. He liked my mother. Such is life.

After my dad's horrific death, Amando started coming by asking how he could help. Soon, he started courting my mother and shortly thereafter they were married.
Amando became my step father, but he really just became my father, I know that now. I remember the first birthday present he gave me - an entire box of TOPPS baseball cards. Wow! I looked for a Mickey Mantle card. Of course, there wasn't one of the famous New York Yankees star and swith-hitting slugger who was my idol. I still have all those cards, which I hope some day my sons will cherish and perhaps pass on to their children, especially my grandson Aidan (pictured here with a baseball cap when he was maybe 9 months old) who seems to love baseball at the early age of 2.

Amando was always there for me. He was kind, understanding, and loving.

I remember some of the older folks in town who used to gather in front of the Post Office to chat and watch the traffic go by and see who was arrested and going to jail across the street. One day when I was going to get the mail, one of the old men, my neighbor, Don Lupe (who rode with Pancho Villa) asked me how my family was doing. I said fine. Another old men asked me for Amando, in particular. Don Lupe interrupted and said that Amando was a true caballero and wonderful person. Then, he said that Amando had a perfect name. "Amando esta siempre amando," he said, explaining that Amando was loving and caring and a good person who liked everything in the world and had a positive attitude, always. "Siempre nos saluda a mi a mi esposa Estefanita con una sonrisa y siempre esta allí para ayudarnos (He always greets me and my wife Estefanita with a smile and he is always ready to help us). Si, su nombre esta perfecto. Amando esta siempre amando (Yes, his name is perfect. Amando is a loving person).

Of course, after a lifetime having him as my step father, my dad, I agree.

On this important American holiday, I can't help but reflect on how he made a big difference in my life. I was so lucky and blessed. I could have gotten a mean old man for my step dad, like many young people do. Instead, I got the most loving and caring man in the world to guide me through my rough teen years, college experience and life, in general. I owe much to him and I in no way can repay him for the kindness and guidance he gave me.

I'm sure he doesn't know how proud I was of him when I was growing up. He was a stellar example of a father. He had gone to Laredo Junior College. Few Mexican American man could claim that. That example, and others, helped pave my life. I at times likened him to St. Joseph, who helped raise Jesus and must have made a difference in his life. Not that I am anything close to being holy, (ha), but Amando's loving ways impacted who I was, whom I became and who I am now. Growing up, I often said a prayer of thanks at night or at church for being blessed with such a wonderful step father, dad.

I know I've let him down, like all children do at times to their parents, but every thing I do I do thinking of what he would say. And, that is a proper way for a man to show the love for his father. That is what God and Jesus expect us to do, as well.

And, about his love for my mother, there was no question. I remember that conversation he had with my dad very distinctly. I knew then he loved my mom, even then. They became a wonderful and adoring couple. I was happy for mom and for Amando and, I guess, for myself and my sisters, Lynda and Judy.

So, Happy Father's Day Amando, dad. May you have many more and please forgive me if I disappointed you somewhere along the way. I love you Amando, dad. Please take care. Happy Father's Day to the most loving person I know. As Don Lupe said, "Amando esta siempre amando." Today we give you some love back. You deserve that and much more. Enjoy!

c/s