Dia de Independencia!!!

Hello, and welcome to my blog. I feel as though today is a good day to start a new endevour seeing as it is the 188th anniversary of Honduras’ declaration of independence from Spain. Now, why out of all the other countries that declared independence from Spain within the same 2-3 day time frame, should I care about one that very few people have ever heard of? Quite simple really, it’s my Motherland. Literally, my Mother is from there. Yes, technically, I was born there also, but, I am an American (Natural Born even) and that is the answer I give to people. Some might say “but Edward, aren’t you proud to be Honduran?”, well… no and yes.

I have the old view that America is a melting pot (I like to keep it old school on a lot of other points also, not like slavery, just tradition) none of this “Fruit Salad” bullshit. My Mother was born in Honduras to mestizo parents (meaning, half Spaniard, half native Indian) her mother Honduran and her father Nicaraguan. My Father born in Hungary to an English woman and a... well… a… something, I’m fairly confident in saying that my grandfather must have been Hungarian, and I have good reason to believe that he had some Italian blood in him, though, to be quite honest, the exact amount and the validity of this claim I am really not sure, but, I keep the rumor alive because, well, I like the thought of it. So… all that said, what does that make me? Besides confused when I fill out applications and they ask for race, I feel that that mixture, that combination, that varied cultural cocktail, makes me… an American. Not a Honduran-American, English-American, Hungarian-American, none of that hyphen crap. Oh, I am proud like you wouldn’t believe to be of Honduran DESCENT, and English DESCENT, and Spanish DESCENT, and Native (Central) American DESCENT; and my heritage does help make me the man that I am today no doubt, but my family’s past is that, it’s past.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all my cousins in Honduras, and I still chat, email, etc, with them either directly or through my Mother and other cousins. But, I am trying to emphazise that, I only have one passport, and it has the great seal of the United States of America on it. And any asshole that says “Brown pride come on esay” well, hello… I just admitted that I’m still celebrating Honduran Independence you de dee de. I certainly love a good enchilada, y platano frito, and so many other good contributions that my heritages have given the world. So, let’s not be getting the wrong impression that I’m ungrateful for the blood that runs through my veins, I just happen to be a patriotic American.

See, that is one thing that bothers me, these labels that we have become so dependent on, and so hypocritical in there usage also. For starters, I call myself a “Whitexican” (yes, I realize Hondurans are not Mexicans, but, with as many Mexicans as there are in Santa Maria, CA –where I live- my life is just way easier saying Latino then going into the explanation of where Honduras is) when I am with my mexican friends, I’m the white guy, and yet, with my white friends, I’m the latino. Damn. So where do I fit in? I’d like to think everywhere in the US with as many other mixes as there are. But no… things have to be difficult. Why can’t I just be an American who is proud of his heritage that keeps it a part of his everyday life, but doesn’t keep holding on to it. Example: a week or so ago, Mexico played the United States in futbol (soccer for the white guys). Mexican flags covered the west part of Santa Maria. Why is that?

That’s that crap I’m talking about. When Honduras plays the US in futbol, with the exception of this upcoming game (just due to points, I’ll explain later when the time comes) I always hope the US wins. Now, in past world cups, when the US got disqualified, and THEN one of my heritages was still playing (ex. Spain) well, ok, then I cheered them on, not in a “jump on the band wagon late” kind of way, but simply in a “my home comes first” kind of way. Yet, with what I view as a sense of loyalty to my country, most of my fellow Latino’s would tell me I’m a sell out. Well, my sole response to that is, “sell out to what?” I was born a natural born citizen of: the United States. My parents just had me in Honduras, they had no intention of keeping me there. Do I love it there, my God is it beautiful, and yes, the people are friendly, and the food amazing, BUT if you all loved it so much back home… why are you here? There must be a reason you left. That’s all I’m trying to say, be happy where you are, if your not happy where you are, go to where does make you happy wherever that is, don’t like California – go to Arizona, don’t like the US – go to Canada, and that’s not even a redneck “love it or leave it” type rherteric that I am trying to promote, I’m simply trying to get the point across that look:

Never forget where you came from and what your history is, it is part of who you are, but it is not EVERYTHING that you are, the other part of what you are is where you are RIGHT NOW, in this moment.

Is that to much to ask? Really, if you want to be taken seriously as an American, that your not just some “dumb unedjamakated” immigrant, then prove that you want to be taken seriously as an American, don’t cheer for the team playing against the US even if it’s your old country, and please, only display your old country’s flag if you are displaying a US flag as big as or bigger than than the old one. I myself am not partying any harder then I did on fourth of July today, although, I did have a huge advantage on 4th of July being that there are very few other Hondurans available on a Tuesday night on the Central Coast, but you should all at least get the point of what I’m trying to say.

Being the multisided guy that I am, the corallary to the above is this, to all you whities out there saying “Amen, preach it brother, leave all that beanerness where you came from” (or something similar). Do you really think your family was the first one here? Technically everyone is an immigrant to everywhere except the Garden of Eden. But… to more recent history, the indians (feather not dot) where here before you, to begin with, and 2ndly if you want to “stand for what America represents” well, ok, then stand up for ALL that America represents. Equality, Liberty and Justice for ALL. Third: variety is the spice of life. Without variety life is boring, and we are amazingly blessed to be living in a time of just globalisim with international diversity. If you don’t believe me, think of all of your favorite foods, and then think about where they came from (yes, even the hamburger was first invented in ancient Rome). So, on days like September 15 and 16, when a bunch of latino’s are celebrating their ancestors independence from Spain, before being so quick to judge, think about how happy you are that your ancesters broke away from those bloody king loving red coats, and have yourself a taco or burrito and join in on the fun.

We live in a country where it doesn’t matter what color you are, you’re Irish on March 17, and even the whitest gringo who can’t say a word of spanish, orders a Corona on May 5th. I love this country because of the people like that, and that is what we need more of (not so much the alcholisim, but the whole coming together and having a good time with one another celebrating our diversity and unity at the same time)

Anyway, Latino’s have a good couple days, white people, have a good couple of days anyway. Blacks, jews, asians, etc. sorry for not mentioning you specifically, but all the same stuff applies to you, don’t worry, I’ll get around to mentioning your ethnic group also, don’t know how happy you’ll be when I do, but, I’ll cover everyone at some point. The next few days though will be more White & Brown talk though, just gonna be honest, but have a good couple days also J.

Tune in next time. Can’t say exactly when next time will be seeing as how this is just starting, I am considering at least being twice a week, but I may have more per week if I have a lot on my mind. So, for sure, check back on Saturday and there should be at least one more then.
-Edward Anthony