<strong>IN</strong> <strong>VERSO</strong> - Ensayo - Eddy F. Álvarez http://www.csun.edu/inverso/<strong>Issue</strong>s/<strong>Issue</strong>%206/<strong>Issue</strong>%206/Ensayo/alvarez.htm[9/19/2012 9:08:06 AM]
<strong>IN</strong> <strong>VERSO</strong> - Ensayo - José Guerra NUMERO 6 - PRIMAVERA 2006 Ensayo - José Guerra Imaginary pain As I drove down Pacific Coast Highway, entering the city of Santa Monica, I looked around and I noticed the inequality that exists in this country. I saw overpowering buildings, with vast lots, and fenced areas. As I was drove in my 1994 T-Bird, I was intimidated, because all I could see around me were luxurious cars, with such colors as gray, black, and red. Some cars had an L; others had a circle divided in three pieces. These symbols and colors have come to be associated with the rich and the wealthy. Just in case you don’t know what I am referring to, the type of cars I am talking about are the Lexus, the Mercedes Benz, Acura’s, and Audi's. All of a sudden I am on the 5 South going towards Tijuana. I am very excited because I am going to the land of my roots. Three miles before, I am able to see an enormous flag flying over what appeared to be an overpass. The flag waved the colors red, white, and green, with an eagle; the eagle dating back to the Aztecs, where Mexico City originated, the birth of Mexico. I am thinking to myself, "This overpass, these fences are separating thousands of families." These imaginary borders separate and divide the land into two countries. When you are on the 5 South, you are able to see a bundle of homes built closed to each other. You see bright colors used to paint the buildings. These vibrant colors, as those of the Mexican flag, represent poverty with dignity and strength, the colors vibrantly scream out, “Viva la Raza, todos unidos, prosperaremos sin importar las fronteras hechas por el hombre.” As soon as you cross the overpass, you notice the difference right away. You are now in Mexican territory. You are able to see people on the streets, selling pieces of gum, churros, candy, chips, and other things to survive. You notice the dirty streets, the smell. The first thing that comes to mind is poverty. We immediately judge the nation by the way the streets look, the corrupt government and officials, the lack of funding, the immense number of individuals living on the street, practically begging tourists to buy their goods. I observe and think back to the country where I was born: the USA. To my astonishment, I see the daily struggles that people must go through to survive, young adults who most likely would have attended school, but for socioeconomic reasons, they did not. I tell myself, “In the US, we worry about driving luxurious cars, wearing name brand clothing, and sadly, we worry about where we are going to eat. Macaroni Grill, Souplantation or Olive Garden? But let’s not say “How about Denny’s or Hometown Buffet, because you are immediately frowned upon, looked down on, and a social label is attached to you faster than you can say what.” Now, you tell me why is it that some have more than others? Is it the peoples’ fault for not trying hard enough to succeed in life? Is it because a Supreme Being did not disperse wealth equally? Or is it simply because life is not life if we do not suffer, and the only way we will value life is by trying hard to achieve our goals? Next time you think you have it bad, and expect people to feel sorrow for your wounds, your unfortunate events, your relationship going sour, among other things, stop and think about families who do not have anything to fall back on. Then, ask yourself, “Have I been socialized and consumed by American ideals and capitalism to the point where I think individualistically, and do nothing to help out others?” Perhaps if we help others help themselves, our lives wouldn’t be as bad because we would be educating our society. Maybe then society would be more tolerant to your issues. José Guerra, B.S. Family and Consumer Sciences http://www.csun.edu/inverso/<strong>Issue</strong>s/<strong>Issue</strong>%206/<strong>Issue</strong>%206/Ensayo/guerra.htm[9/19/2012 9:08:07 AM]