Mexican: The "M" Word

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The "M" Word

Last week, we seem to have avoided controversy even though the analysis centered on a controversial word: “Nigger.”

Having weathered that one, we plunge again. This time, let’s ponder the word “Mexican.”

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Are you old enough to remember radio and recording star Judy Canova? Do you remember her song, “Manana?” She sang, “Manana is soon enough for me.” Another phrase in it was, “You don’t need a window when the sun is shining down.”

The idea being, for Mexicans, a broken window is a bother only when it’s raining; manana (tomorrow) is soon enough to fix the roof.

Judy had a mysterious friend, Manuel. “How did you get in here?” she would ask and Manuel would answer, in a distinctly Mexican accent, “I come troo da weendo.”

Is it politically correct to present this Judy/Manuel dialog on the radio? Probably not. Is it funny? Certainly.

Do you remember the Frito Bandito? In his heyday in the ‘70s, the bandito sold a lot of corn cheeps. More than Jay Leno could ever hope. But politics got him. Can’t have an advertising icon that might possibly offend anyone, now can we.

Recall Gonzalez Gonzalez, whose acting career began when he was a contestant on the Groucho Marx show. A superb actor and comic, Gonzalez died only a few months ago. He was sort of type-cast, though, playing “Mexican” roles. He was very funny, even playing straight man to Groucho’s best straight man.

I remember Gonzalez in a TV commercial when ice-making became an essential function of household refrigerators. Gonzalez gets one of the new GE refrigerators. Neighbors begin lining up at the front door, holding little plastic buckets, begging for ice.

In mock frustration, Gonzalez opens the door and grumbles at a neighbor, “I doan hav to geev you no more ice cubes.” Remember that one?

When we see or hear the Mexican-oriented pop culture, are we discriminating against Mexicans? Laughing at Mexicans? Snickering? I hardly think so.

Our culture is flooded with this stuff. Is it offensive? Is it prejudice? Is it actionable? Probably not – although there are always lawyers out there looking for litigation.

Think about the Cisco Kid. His partner was a fat little guy with a pushed-back sombrero. Was he funny? Did he speak with a Mexican accent? Cisco’s sidekick was John Wayne’s Walter Brennan. It’s the same-same, Hollywood stuff. Comic relief with a Mexican accent shouldn’t offend anyone – but it probably does.

Contemporary Taco Bell ads in are in English but the actor speaks with a Mexican accent. So the Frito Bandito had to die only to be replaced by Taco Bell? Which way is it, guys?

If you have any TV cartoon experience at all, Speedy Gonzalez will be in your memory banks. But do you have Slowpoke Rodriquez? Speedy’s sidekick is a slow-moving rodent, but be careful. “He’s slow but he pack a gon.”

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There’s been a resurgence of the misuse of the word “Spanish” when the meaning is “Mexican.” If a person’s native land is Spain, he is a Spaniard – he is “Spanish.” If he came from Mexico, he is a Mexican. So why do we need a euphemism for the word “Mexican?” We don’t. It just makes it worse.

Any self-respecting Mexican would likely get his feelings hurt by being called “Spanish.” Spaniards are cold, mean-spirited, flinty eyed opportunists who are cruel to their women and their horses. Who needs it? Mexicans are warm, humorous, loving, soft-spoken gentle beings who love their women and children. And their burros.

Here are some words used for “Mexican” which are like using “Nigger” for Negro: Beaner. Spick. Greaser. Pachuko. Cholo. Beaner comes from the frijoles Mexicans enjoy. Spick is a derivation of Hispanic. Pachuko was once the name of a big-city youth gang, but became an insulting word – at least on the playground where I was trying to survive. Cholo? The derivation eludes me.

How about the newspaper comic strip “Gordo,” by Gus Arriola? Gordo had an old school bus he drove that ran on wine—he poured wine in the gas tank as well as in the radiator. I liked Gordo, but I greatly admired the suave, intellectual character Poet. Poet was a true friend to Gordo, advising on love, life and philosophy. (The bus, by the way, was named “El Cometa Haley.”)

We are conflicted about Mexico and about Mexicans. Several popular songs lately play on the mistaken idea that Mexico is a place to get “a new start in life” after having worn out one’s welcome here in the U.S.

People go on cruises and visit Mexico. The vacation, the honeymoon, the escape are romantic ideas having to do with Mexico. I’m now hearing people wax poetic about retiring in Mexico.

But Mexicans who desire to come to the U.S.? That doesn’t seem romantic to us somehow, but threatens us. What’s with that?

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One of my daughters called one evening. To make conversation she asked, “What are you doing tonight?” So I answered “We are having our friends for dinner – you remember them, Ray and Dee Martinez.”

What are you having for dinner, Monica asked. I said, “Mexican food.” The girl paused a moment and said, “Dad. That’s not nice.”

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All this must have some meaning. “Mexico” is a nice word, a romantic destination. “Mexican” is a word we’re afraid to use properly, somehow.

Note: I thought he was going to talk about one of
those other “M” words – moving or marriage! …Laura

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Word of the week: Intercourse. First meaning, Webster: Communication or dealings among people; interchange of products, services or ideas. The second meaning (gotcha) is the sexual joining of two individuals; coitus; copulation.

Next week’s word: Genealogy.

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