My reflections on Hispanic Heritage Month

As I begin my final post for Hispanic Heritage Month, I reflect what it means to me. I grew up in Southern California in a highly Hispanic and Latino area. My best friend from junior high and high school is Hispanic/Latino. Her parents graciously opened their home to me so I could graduate high school with my friends. Her mother taught me how to make taquitos and fried burritos. To make chile and refried beans. It is no surprise to me that I would fall in love and marry a Hispanic man. I’m often wondering, especially with the high tensions in society right now, how does the Hispanic community view me?

I married my husband 8 years ago. At our wedding, one of my husband’s cousins came up to us as we said our goodbyes and told him: “Hurt her and you will not only have to answer to her family but yours as well.” It’s a statement that has stayed with me ever since. I felt truly welcomed into the family. Even while we were dating, I felt overwhelmingly accepted by his family. It may have been because he finally found someone. Sometimes though I feel like an outsider looking in. I often wonder if my efforts to learn their culture, their family history, to participate and understand their culture, I’m seen as trying too hard, an outsider trying to atone for sins of the past. In my head, I know this is not true because my family has only been in California since the 1940s and grew up knowing that my family truly never treated anyone differently because of the color of their skin. However, is my family lumped together with the Anglo-Americans who oppressed Hispanics and other minorities? I don’t know. I’ve never asked.

I do know that my husband has been given disapproving looks and even comments because he married a white woman. He’ll have comments made to him about my cooking Mexican food along the lines of “Not bad for a white woman.” As if my skin color would affect my cooking ability or my ability to follow a recipe. I do know that we still gets looks when we are out in public especially when we are with our daughter. The looks are especially harsh from Hispanics from an older generation who probably believe we should all stay with our own kind. I would love to learn to speak Spanish fluently; however I am self-conscious about my accent and horrible pronunciation. It keeps me from trying. My fear of ridicule from native speaks if I were to make a mistake. I do feel I’ve proven myself worthy of the family as I love and adore my husband. It is obvious that we care very deeply about each other. And I have taken good care of him. Stood by him in good times and especially in the bad.

I feel we need to understand the truth in history. Acknowledge and embrace the Hispanic and Latino influence in our state, our country and our lives. As well as other cultures that have helped make America who we are. To ignore their contributions would be to ignore everything about our great country. We eat the food but criticize the people who brought it here. Hispanics and Latinos have touched every aspect of our lives and may not be aware of it. They are award winning authors who open our eyes to a different point of view. They are musicians who touch our hearts with their music. We may not understand the language but it can speak to you in so many other ways. They are the actors and actress who make us laugh, make us cry, and makes us cheer for those have overcome. And in many, many areas of life that we may never know their names. How do we move forward? We acknowledge and learn from the ugly truth in our history, we work on the present and focus on the future. We cannot fix the past but we can shape the future.

In conclusion, I will continue to embrace my husband’s heritage as it is a part of my daughter’s heritage too. The common sentiment I have read in Latino literature is the sense that they are straddling two culture and not truly belonging to either one. I want my daughter to know and be proud of both sides of her heritage. I want her to know her ancestry and where her family has come from and been through to get to America. I remember in school, America was called a melting pot of different cultures. I see now that statement is not true. Throughout history, those in power have taken bits and pieces of other cultures as a way to prove we are a blend. I see now that we are more of a mixed salad. Multiple cultures together in the same bowl. Cultures blending together where possible but still distinct. 

Why I loved Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Spoiler! If you have not seen the film, do not read any further!!!!

Rogue One: A Star Wars story is about the events which leads up to the events we know in Episode IV: A New Hope. In the original film’s scroll, one small line “Rebel spies managed to seal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR.” This is Rogue One is one sentence. It is how the Rebel Alliance was able to get and steal the plans. As a Star Wars fan, I was skeptical about a stand-alone movie that was a side story to the main saga. However, when I first saw it in theaters, I fell in love with this band of spies who risked their lives for the galaxy’s freedom. There was so much that I liked and very little, if at all, that I didn’t like, I will focus on what I loved about this movie.

First, the heroes of Rogue One starting with Jyn Erso. Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones) the daughter of Galen Erso, a scientist who was coerced into helping the Empire build the Death Star. She has been living a life of crime under an assumed name. When her father’s name comes up again, the Rebel Alliance seeks her out to help them find her father and possibly destroy the Death Star. Captain Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna) is a pilot and intelligence officer who Jyn is sent with to find information about her father. At first, he and Jyn do not see eye to eye about their mission but when they decide to get the plans with the approval of the Rebel Council, they are finally friends. K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) is Captain Andor’s droid. He was originally an Imperial droid but was reprogrammed by Captain Andor. He is often the comedic relief in the film. Chirrut Imwe (played by Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (played by Jiang Wen) are the Guardians of the Whills that Jyn and Cassian met during their mission. Chirrut is a blind man who is a firm believer in the Force despite his lack of Force abilities. Baze is the opposite of Chirrut. He has lost his faith in the Force after enduring harsh conditions of the Empire. Lastly, Bodhi Rook (played by Riz Ahmed), the Imperial cargo pilot who was sent by Galen Erso to get information about the Death Star to the Rebel Alliance. Together they form Rogue One and their mission to get the plans at all cost.

Second, I loved the homage and references made to the original film. In one scene, Mon Mothma (played by Genevieve O’Reilly) discusses an old Jedi friend of Bail Organa (played by Jimmy Smits). Organa replies that he’ll send for him, referencing that Leia is sent to retrieve him in Episode IV. The famous Star Wars line “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” is started to be said by K-2SO but he is cut off by Jyn and Cassian. This line is said at least once in every Star Wars film. A fan favorite reference is when Jyn and Cassian run into very familiar faces, Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba. These two would go on to have a fateful run in with Luke and Obi-Wan in the cantina in Episode IV. I’ve only picked three of my favorites but there are so much more!

Another thing I loved about this movie is the fate of the Rogue One crew. Rogue One is essentially a war movie and in a war movie, everyone doesn’t always survive. The impact of war is truly felt with the losses of these heroes. Even though they are successful and there is celebration in that, there is also a sense of the great cost in that success. The real impact about their fates is that they were aware they probably wouldn’t survive. Jyn says as they prepare to land “We’ll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent.” The death scene of Jyn and Cassian is my particular favorite. While they succeed in getting the plans to the Rebel Alliance, they know there was no escape for them. After successfully transmitted the plans, they make their way to the beach and watch as the impact of the Death Star’s laser takes effect. It’s calm, peaceful and sad with no overblown dramatics. The deaths of the Rogue One crew make the film so much stronger and unlike the other Star Wars films.

In conclusion, I loved Rogue One. I think it fit in with the timeline great. It was an awesome story to explain how the Rebel Alliance got the plans in the first place and set in motion the events of A New Hope. Every character fit and the actors played their roles so well. The homage and references to the other Star Wars films are always a treat for fans. And the deaths of the Rogue One crew fit the mood of the film as a war film in the Star Wars universe. Some fans loved it as I did and others did not. Some fans just aren’t going to be satisfied with any new Star Wars film. Love it or hate it, Rogue One is a great addition to the Star Wars universe. Now if you would excuse me, I’m going to watching Rogue One again. 

Heroes: why do they appeal to us?

What comes to mind when you hear the word hero? Do you think of a sport hero like Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth? Do you think of a mythical hero like Hercules or Robin Hood? Or do you think of a comic book superhero like Superman or Captain America? Or an ordinary person who beats extraordinary odds? Whoever you think of, a hero is an important person to you. The word “hero” is from the Greek and it represents a mortal who accomplishes a feat beyond the normal scope of human abilities that leads him or her to worship among the gods. Most heroes have certain characteristics which gives them the hero image and rise above a mere mortal. Heroes appeal to us in some way. They speak to us in ways we may not understand. Heroes are very personal to us.

Today, heroes are people we admire and want to emulate. A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievement or noble qualities. Heroes can have five common characteristics. First, courage or bravery is the number one quality referred to when speaking of a hero. The triumph over fear and daunting odds in order to achieve a goal. It’s the firefighter who will rush in a burning building to save a complete stranger. In war, it is a person who sacrifices his own safety and possibly his life for others. There are many famous and not-so-famous examples of war heroes. So many stories which we will never know all their names and their incredible acts. Second, selflessness of heroes is another common trait. Putting others’ needs and concerns before his or her own. Heroes will often never think of the risk to themselves when others are in need. Third, humility and modesty, often wishing to hide from the spotlight is another trait of heroes. This trait is common among war heroes who don’t like speaking about the events which made them a hero. Lastly, caring and kindness for others which seems to be obvious otherwise the other traits wouldn’t be possible without concern for others.

What is the appeal of heroes? Is it because we want someone to look up to? Someone to strive to be like? In Greek mythology, heroes were godlike and would seem impossible to emulate. There are many reasons why heroes have an appeal, I’ve chosen my top 3 reasons. First, heroes often reveal our missing qualities. They display what behaviors are needed in order to succeed, better society and defeat the bad guys. They often behave in way we wished we would. Second, heroes save us when we’re in trouble. This can be seen in the powerful appeal of comic book superheroes. It is seen in real life with admiration for society’s protectors and rescuers: law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and military personnel. These men and women put their lives on the line in order to keep us safe and to get us out of harm’s way. Third, heroes bring hope in a dark world. Their stories are uplifting and inspiring that not everyone in this world is out to do harm and go above and beyond in order to provide safety, security and justice. These stories don’t always have to be about life and death situations. We’ve all heard the story of the Gainesville, Florida cop who responded to a noisy kids call by playing basketball with them. He was a hero that day.

When I think of heroes, I don’t think of a single person. I think of people who I admired for their extraordinary accomplishments despite their circumstances and their flaws. A hero is someone who isn’t afraid to fail and try again. I often think when people label someone as a hero, they fail to acknowledge someone’s shortcomings. They put them a high pedestal that when he or she does fail, it crushes the image of their hero. It can be seen most often with celebrities and sports stars. For example, recently with Cam Newton’s poor behavior after the Super Bowl. It was a disappointing loss and I understand his gloomy mood. But because he was so built up and elevated that people were shocked by his behavior. Even his “apology” a couple days later seem to me less than sincere. However, he has the opportunity to learn from this experience. To pick himself up and say “I’m going to try again. I’m not going to let one disappointment get the better of me.” To me, a hero is someone who pushes through despite fear, despite doubts and despite criticisms from others. A hero is someone who gives and sacrifices without thanks or recognition. Heroes are larger than life yet humble and gracious.

Heroes are very important to us. They demonstrate how ordinary people can be extraordinary. Heroes can be any one you look up to either real or imaginary from literature or film. They demonstrate what is right in the world and what the world needs more of. In a recent book I read, a character said “A hero’s bravery has to be unplanned. A genuine response to a crisis. It has to come from heart without any thought of reward” (Riordan). Along those lines, Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” The real and everyday heroes are the ones who I admire the most. Those who put their lives on the line to keep others safe. Those who sacrifice their own needs and wants so that others can have theirs. The heroes that you may never know their name or what they have done for you but heroic all the same.