[ ARCHIVE ]
e-culture: Zapatistas, New Year Resolutions, Tamales
December 22, 2003
Action is the sole medium of expression for ethics. - Jane Addams
With the end of the holiday season, many people think of making resolutions for the New Year. After a great deal of spending and feasting, these resolutions are often selfish and introspective. But, while the holidays bring contentment and a temporary escape from responsibilities, there are many things in the world to be concerned with.
Architect Samuel Mockbee often spoke to his students about the "morality of making the world a better place." His Rural Studio in Hale County, Alabama, far from the privilege of campus life at Auburn University, brings students into the world of the disadvantaged and the "down-on-their-luck" members of the community. Through his effort, Mockbee's students are carrying on his mission to be better humanitarians by building homes for the poor in a small part of the world, even after his death. But Mockbee's belief that human energy and intelligence should be used to make the world better is not being realized in most of our resolutions.
We conducted a survey of Houston organizations to learn more about the trends in volunteer participation. Janni Chowdhury's survey revealed that after September 11, 2001 more of us felt committed to making the world better, but actual volunteer support for Houston organizations continued to decline in 2001 and 2002, just as it had in 2000.
But national studies show that volunteerism continues to rise. As puzzling as it seems, Janni's interest focused on non-profit organizations in Houston, and none were the beneficiaries of fast rising corporate-sponsored volunteerism. Though the corporate-sponsored programs generally support good causes (i.e. raising funds in an annual event for medical research) they don't allow for support of controversial causes or creative pursuits that might be viewed as frivolous in the world of profit margines. In her opinion, we are supporting the causes that most safely benefit middle- and upper-income Americans, such as cancer research, through generous company volunteer efforts, but not thinking individually about the causes we feel are neglected or people who are exploited.
By resolving to get more involved with the arts and community organizations, we can individually show support for the things we believe in, and make a difference in a more steady way than even casting our votes allows us. If we aren't the participants in some way, we won't even have clear ideas about our own personal concerns and interests.
As you make your New Year Resolutions, consider the importance of action and self-determination in your beliefs. Abraham Lincoln once said, "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards out of men."
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The Zapatistas' Tenth Anniversary
We do not need to change our culture, our clothing, our language, our way of prayer, (or) our way of working and respecting the land; We cannot stop being indigenous in order to be recognized as Mexicans. They cannot take what we are away from us. - Esther (a female Zapatista leader) in Oventik, Chiapas, August 9, 2003
January 1 will mark the ten year anniversary of the Zapatista insurgency in Chiapas, Mexico. On the day NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) was implemented between the United States, Canada and Mexico, many indigenous people of southern Mexico protested the increased cultural destruction and economic repression the agreement would bring to their homeland. The Zapatista campaign spurred the movement against cultural and economic globalization.
Globalization is taking many forms in Houston and throughout the United States. Migrants are coming in increased numbers and facing greater dangers. Many are literally dying to get here and some face living in conditions of modern slavery, reported by National Geographic, if they survive. They are coming where wealth and jobs are, but they are also now coming because it is difficult for the working class to compete with low cost mass-produced American products, even agricultural products, in Latin America.
A struggling campesino in Nicaragua proclaimed, "A nation that raises its own food may not be rich, but at least it's not a nation dying of hunger."
From the deaths of hundreds of women in Guatemala City and in the Texas-Mexico border city of Juarez, to the growing number of migrant deaths across the U.S. in nearby towns like Denton and Victoria, we are experiencing the impact of globalization. Over recent months in Houston, we have heard the voices of participants in the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, tribal leaders from the Amazon, women organizers in indigenous communities of southern Mexico, the Imokalee farm workers' union from Florida, conservationists from Guerrero and Native American activists from New Mexico and South Dakota. All are warning of the destructive forces of cultural and economic globalization.
If we, in the U.S., created the world's greatest wealth, and if globalization threatens to make much of the world poorer, and more dangerous, even as we move backwards on many social issues and inequalities at home, we have to ask, "Why globalize?" And we have to know the answers, especially if the proponents of globalization have given up hope of sustaining wealth and striving for prosperity at home.
There are discussion groups working to improve understanding of globalization issues. They include:
Globalization Working Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm at the Houston Peace and Justice Center, 1627 W. Alabama. A conference is in the works.
The Globalization Forum meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm in the Olive Branch Room of the Mary Knoll House, 2360 Rice Blvd., near Rice University.
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A Tamale Christmas Tradition
Prickly pear cactus, frijoles, chiles, avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cocoa -- all are the original foods of the Americas, but none have had more impact on our culture than corn. It is difficult to know whether the tamale wrapped in cornhusks came before the tortilla, but both served the ease of handling and portability needs of the people native to our land.
Corn was first cultivated in southern Mexico and spread throughout the Americas hundreds of years before contact with the Spanish. Today, making tamales is an important part of Mexican holiday traditions. The tamaleras' (tamale maker) tradition is handed down from mothers and grandmothers.
Tamales for Christmas usually include pork and Ancho chiles, steamed in a masa (dough) wrapped in cornhusks, but there are many variations of family recipes. They may be spicy or sweet. Tamales made to strict requirements with many spices can be complicated, but most importantly they are to be made with pride and great enjoyment of the time spent - la tamalada.
Towns and cities across the southwest often have a local tamale maker, who will sell tamales for all kinds of occasions. Acquiring tamales from the local expert, or even a little tamale factory, may require placing an order in advance, or standing in a long line. The tamalera usually sells jalapeno and chicken tamales, but may only have pork tamales during the Christmas season.
The Christmas tradition in Mexico and many Hispanic communities across the U.S. begins around December 18 with processions, or Pasadas, featuring representations of Joseph and Mary, desperately seeking a place to give birth to the baby Jesus. The processions and family gatherings, particularly the tamale-making time, will lead up to December 25. On Christmas Day, Rosca, a circular sweet bread (comparable to a King Cake in Louisiana) with a ceramic or plastic Jesus inside is the main attraction. The one who finds the infant will hold a party for family and friends on February 2, El Dia de Candelaria (Candlemas).
Mole Poblano, turkey covered with a rich sauce of chiles, nuts, cinnamon and chocolate, is a common treat on Christmas day, but tamales will always grace the table. Many will serve tamales blancos, made with white cornmeal.
At the end of the two week fiesta, January 6 (Dia de los Santos Reyes), the meeting of the three kings, who come bearing gifts, and the infant Jesus, the family will share its gifts.
During this festive season, most of us in the southwestern United States enjoy "Burritos Christmas" (or Enchiladas Christmas) covered with tasty red and green chiles. ¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Nuevo Año!
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Visit the Islands in the Sky
Tucked away in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, the Chiricahua National Monument is one of our nation's unknown treasures. Trails through mazes of unusual rock formations will interest day hikers and 10,000' pine-covered ridges will lure serious backpackers to this fantastic "island in the sky." This remote corner of Arizona features 400 species of birds, a wide range of mountain and desert environments, and a little known diverse cultural history as well. Learn more about Hiking in Chiricahua.
Camp Dos Cabezas
The Chiricahua Mountains, as well as many historic locations throughout Cochise County, are the site of Camp Dos Cabezas, an educational youth camp being planned for at-risk children. This slide show presentation is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the camp, its setting, and find out how to get involved.
Campers will stay in the Chiricahua National Monument, and go on educational hikes and field trips each day. The canyons of this national monument create an amphitheater of stone faces and tall spires, formed by wind and rain erosion. The landscape of the volcanically created Chiricahua Mountains is dynamic and unique at every turn -- the perfect setting to inspire the kids and captivate their imaginations.
Many cultures crossed paths in the region -- Mexican ranchers, Chinese railroad builders, Serbian miners, Mormon battalions, Jewish pioneers, and African American Buffalo soldiers. Many names were made famous in this western frontier -- Geronimo, Pancho Villa, General Crook, Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, Ah Lum, C.S. Fly, and the Lost Dutchman.
Children will study the impact of early industries, like transportation (the Butterfield-Overland Stagecoach and Southern Pacific Railroad), journalism (the Tombstone Epitaph frontier newspaper), and mining (the Copper Queen Mine). They will learn about the impact of natural and man-made disasters in history, such as fires, earthquakes and draught.
To enhance the educational experience, campers will keep field notes about native plants and geological formations, which they will use for identification as they tour museum exhibits. Rangers and volunteers will facilitate tours and campfire programs.
You can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child who is at risk of dropping out of school. Please attend this informative free event.
Chiricahua National Monument
Monday, January 12, 7:00pm
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc)
7538 Westheimer Road at Voss
Houston, TX 77063
(713) 353-2582
Find out more about Camp Dos Cabezas:
http://www.houstonculture.org/camp
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She's All About Holiday Cheer
When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, nobody does it quite like Gloria Jones. Stop by for a visit any evening through January 1 to see her amazing light display, and many more brightly decorated houses off of Scott Street, between Old Spanish Trail and Yellowstone. To see Gloria in her light suit and meet more of the residents of Scott Terrace, stop by on December 23 for the block party.
Read our lively interview with Gloria Jones:
http://www.houstonculture.org/gloria
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Gifts for the Holiday Season
The holidays are a great time to learn about diverse cultures and introduce others to new interests. Give gifts that inspire peace and cultural education.
Cultural Gift Guide for the 2003 Holiday Season:
http://www.houstonculture.org/main/gifts2003.html
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Cultural and Social Issues
We are forming a "Town Hall" committee to organize and promote discussions on important cultural and social issues.
Please contact me, mark@houstonculture.org, if you would like to take part in establishing this very important forum.
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Pesos and Metric Conversions
Whether you are traveling abroad and need to convert distances and measurements to metric, or planning a trip to Mexico, where you will need to trade your dollars for pesos, we have a simple solution on line.
Conversion tables for Metric and Mexican Pesos:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel/conv.html
Cultural and Educational Adventures:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel
Thank you for supporting our efforts.
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M a r k @houstonculture.org
Cultural and Community Organization Listings:
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings
2003 Report to Friends and Volunteers:
http://www.houstonculture.org/report
Support Houston Institute for Culture:
http://www.houstonculture.org/giving
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