This blog on Texas education contains posts on higher education, as well as preK-12 policy accountability, testing, bilingual education, immigration, school finance, race, class, and gender issues at both the state and national level. It also represents my digital footprint, of life and career, as a community-engaged scholar in Texas.
Mexico has such breathtaking treasures, many of which are found in its indigenous cuisine, languages, dialects, cultures, and traditions. I've been to Oaxaca many a time and have family there, as well. It's depth and beauty, particularly with respect to feminine power—as captured in these images by Mexican photographer, Diego Huerta—flies in the face of patriarchy in aesthetics and conduct and speaks to exactly why indigenous heritage and identity must be preserved and cultivated even further.
For a country that is doing its best to take the Indian-ness out of its people—not unlike the U.S. or subtractively assimilationist, de-indigenizing projects elsewhere—these images speak to their strength and resilience. After all, it doesn't make sense, and has never has, to surrender those aspects of self, family, community, and identity that give them strength. Not that bilingualism and biculturalism aren't options. Survival depends on it.
Bilingualism and biculturalism are conceptually distinct, however, from the massively limiting proposition of one-way, assimilation to the Spanish language and Mexican culture when this relegates them to the margins of society where indigeneity of which feminine power is an important component, gets relinquished. Assimilation to Mexican culture is great for patriarchs, patriarchal designs, and systems of privilege and oppression that are not only culture-eviscerating, but also injurious to both women and men, as a whole. It not at all great for what you see here in these photos.
These same logics apply perfectly to our own cultural context in the U.S. where culture-erasing assimilation and de-indianization projects work in tandem with enduring imperialistic, colonizing projects. Just as enduring, however, and thankfully, is our community's struggle against this cultural chauvinism expressed in policy and practice, even if our efforts do not always bear fruit. Sometimes, of course, they do, as in the recent win against a racist textbook put forward by the State Board of Education. The victory in the recent Arizona court case is another great, recent example.
It's great to see that UNESCO sees all of this differently, too. After all, in 1987, UNESCO acknowledged Oaxaca and its archeological sites as cultural patrimony to humanity. So indigneity and preserving languages, cultures, and identities aren't just for them, but also for the world as part of our collective inheritance. Like the French say, "Vive la différence!" I very much look forward to my next visit.
Many thanks to maestra Santa Yanez-Montemayor for sharing.
In south-central Mexico, flanked by rugged, rolling mountain ranges, sits Oaxaca, a state with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse gathering of proud, indigenous people who still celebrate their unique historical identities and way of life. Travelling to the region, Mexican photographer Diego Huerta has created a collection of stunning portraits of these people, using Oaxaca as a colorful backdrop for the images that tell their stories.
El Torito, “The Bull” at Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Image by Diego Huerta
The project, called Inside Oaxaca, started four years ago, when Diego witnessed Guelaguetza (known locally as Los Lunes del Cerro), a week-long festival the state hosts every July that sees participants from 16 different indigenous groups around the region meeting to play music, sing, dance, and celebrate cultural exchange, all while donning traditional dress. The event dates back hundreds of years, with the festival proving popular with global visitors. The festival sparked an interest in Diego, who was intrigued to learn more about the indigenous culture of the people he saw and met there.
A woman from Juchitan captured on horseback. Image by Diego Huerta What followed was a passion project that saw Diego making multiple trips across Oaxaca to take portraits of indigenous communities. “To speak of Oaxaca is to speak of magic. The magic of its people, their colours, their culture and traditions. Oaxaca is the living example of how the new generations are the ones who take the love of their traditions and show it through all their celebrations throughout the year. Maybe I’m short of wanting to capture so much beauty, but I try to do my best. Sometimes you need to cross mountains and lakes, walk day and night. There are times that you spend all of your energy for one portrait. But at the end of the day everything’s worth it.” Diego told Lonely Planet Travel News.
The Devils of Collantes. Image by Diego Huerta The project includes a wide-sweeping collection of dynamic, colourful portraits, including images of women from Dainzú in the Central Valley of Oaxaca in Tehuana dresses (made iconic by Frida Kahlo), a woman from Juchitan captured on horseback and the Devils of Collantes, men who don traditional dress and dance around fires in a special ceremony. Approximately 15% of the Mexican population identifies as indigenous, and in Oaxaca, that figure jumps to 56%.
A woman photographed at Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Image by A woman photographed at Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. “It does not matter if someone born in Mexico or abroad, seeing each one of the portraits of Oaxaca, they find an immediate connection with the spirit of the human being, and that for me, is the most important thing. It is necessary to show people from all over the world the true Mexico, and to tell the stories of Oaxaca is to show the living heart of Mexico.” Diego said.
More of Diego’s work is available at his official website.
This was our experience with our children, too. We lived in Guanajuato, Guanajuato, an absolutely beautiful city that is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It left us with indelible impressions and memories and it was a hugely positive boost to our family's sense of identity, our sense of Mexicanidad or Mexican-ness. Not that we didn't already have a sense of this, but rather that it is an identity like any other with many dimensions, historical depth, and personal meaning. I was able to locate my familia for example in the mountainous, rural state of Guerrero and have been a changed person ever since.
So even for us adults, Mexico is potentially a transformative place. You do have to be careful about "hot spots" like many parts along the U.S.-Mexico border where you should not go; but there are other places like Guanajuato that are pretty much as safe as they have ever been—not unlike any big city you might visit in the U.S. There are a whole lot of places like that, too, including Mexico City itself and tourist places along the coast, so you have to do your research.
Go to the actual link to see all the nice photos that accompany this piece.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, I’ve spent five months with my kids in Mexico.
This should be the first giveaway that you need to be wary: Mexico sucks
you in. You keep coming back for longer and longer each time!
Why exactly? What is the onda down in Mexico, and why should you think twice before exposing your children to its alluring culture? Let’s see…
1. Vendors will treat your children as if they were the most special
customers they’ve ever had. They’ll give them thousands of smiles,
samples of fruit…they’ll even call them Reina and Precioso. It will spoil them to death.
Photo: Laura Bernhein
2. I warn you: Mexican children are the friendliest, most charming
creatures in the whole wide world. Your kids will make so many friends
they’ll want to come back to Mexico year after year…
My kids having lunch at the market in Coyoacan, Mexico City. Photo: Laura Bernhein
3. Or even worse: Your kids will start speaking fluent Spanish way before you do!
Photo: Laura Bernhein
4. You know little about Mexico’s iconic artist Frida Kahlo. What if
your kids fall in love with her and you have to start studying her
incredible life and art? Nah, you’re too old for that.
8. Helping newborn turtles on their first journey to the ocean, and
celebrating together once they finally make it to the water? Mmm…not
inspirational enough.
Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Photo: Laura Bernhein
9. You worry that after jumping into the fresh, cool water of the cenotes on a hot day, they’ll be so over the neighborhood pool back home…
10. Tons of festivities with people dancing in the streets day and
night, wearing colorful handmade costumes and celebrating ancient
traditions? No thanks, it’ll be too noisy for your kids.
11. You’re afraid Mexico’s vibrant colors will hurt your children’s
eyes. And what if they want to paint your house turquoise or hot pink
when you get home?
15. And what about the skeletons and skulls you’ll see all around the country? Yes, you know they’re part of Día de Muertos, a rich cultural tradition…but your little angels will have nightmares for years!
16. And if the skeletons don’t do it, seeing these giant puppets — mojigangas
— dancing in Oaxacan parades and inviting everyone to join the party
will guarantee you a couple of hours of your kids screaming from fear…
17. Did you know Mexican markets are full of candy, toys, and piñatas? Your kids will find the experience too fun and they won’t ever want to go back to the grocery store with you…
Coyoacan Market, Mexico City Photo: Laura Bernhein
18. Five men representing the four cardinal points and the
connection between Earth and Sky, flying around a 90ft pole in a mystic
ancient ceremony? Too profound for you, you’ll have to pass.
Voladores de Papantla, Cholula, Puebla. Photo: Larry1732
19. What if you’re simply walking around and encounter a sight like
this? Everyone knows children have a hard time dealing with fairytale
moments!
20. Overall, the streets of Mexican towns and cities are full of
color, stimulation, and magical moments. If you don’t want your kids to
grow up thinking the world is such a special, wonderful place…don’t ever
go to Mexico!
