Living Culturally By Mario Diaz

My Success your Respect. Con Safos is the sign off to a finished creation. In many ways Con Safos can be interpreted to a quote pulling the trigger because it is respected and feared and the last step before your outcome. Con Safos is something earned not given. My cousin Miguel Diaz is not only a partial creation of myself but a person that I believe deserves to be signed off with Con Safos. Miguel has been in my life since the day of his birth and from that day on Ive taken responsibility to act like his older brother. Even from day one my parents have told me that I treated him like a brother, I believe that it is true because I didnt have a brother until I was nine years old. Miguel has also treated me like a brother and has always looked up to me so it is easy to look at him as on of my siblings. When we were young I taught him every thing about everything I knew and we had the best of times growing up together. Then later on in our lives we couldnt spend a day without annoying the living crackers out of each other. Thankfully I came to acknowledge that he his three years younger and didnt mature as much as me because well I was older. Through out those years I have transformed him into a much more successful person that can hopefully stand up for what he believes. It took a while but now even my friends get along with him and he is seen as a cool kid. It was a process transforming Miguel into the person he now is but he very well earned it. Now and then I call him names and he does the same. I believe that for relatives to get along with a family member you must joke around and horse around; to an extent.Yes it will probably result in some argument but those are the times youll remember in the future that brings both of you together through laughs. All the times that Ive hurt Miguel in some way or in other have

brought us closer for example when he told a joke and I laughed so hard that gas suddenly flew out my valves with no before notice, but the worst part is that it was in front of my crush and he instantly made fun of me making me as red as the devils bottom.Now a days he always brings it up and breaks the ice while I laugh my face off. When many people first see Miguel they might just see a funny looking kid but if you get to honestly know him you learn that behind all that is a respectable person, but it was no easy walk in the park getting him there. For example no matter how clueless he can be about the ladies he will always know how to take the pressure off of me when I need it most. A few years back he still would consider being touched by a girl to be called catching cuities. Now thanks to vigorous hours and hours of training he now secretly wants a girl friend ( watch out ladies ;D ). Also he has a big heart likes to take care of his family and friends witch is something I think is in the D.N.A of many latino families. As a kid he has always looked over our grandparents by one way or an other and that is just one of the many honorable attributes I believe rubbed off from me. He always give a firm hand shake to who ever puts out there hand as a sign of maturity. One thing I always try to teach him is to no matter how rude the adult you must always respect your elders because one day they might just be a mirror image of your elder self. I believe nothing is more important in Mexican culture than taking care of family. No matter if there miles away or you live in the same house, you share blood then you take care of them which is something Miguel always seems to show and I am very proud of that. That is why I am so proud of him. Even when he makes a fool of him self look like a fool I will always look after him just like he will do the same. That is why I believe he should be

signed with Con Safos. I raised him like a brother and he has always been there for me and tries so much to get my respect when hes had it from the begging so if I had to choose I would sign him. Also if anyone tries to ever mess with him they have to go through me twice before they even lay a finger on him.

White Washed,Chicano or Beaner? This is a story of a boy from two worlds living on one planet. As many of my readers know, I am a proud Chicano. But for some reason I get asked if I favor my Americanized culture, I personally would answer soy Mexicano y orgulloso . I feel this way because I am a Chicano and that does not mean that I lost my original culture but rather that I have another new side of culture. Though I make an effort to show both sides of my cultures with equal respect there are always some overlap between the two cultures. The way I dress reflects both sides of my cultures and yet varies so diversely between the two of them.Something my close friend and my self seem to notice between the way I dress here in the United States and when I am in Mexico is that I lose the swagger and go for the more southern cowboy style. For example my typical wardrobe here in the United States is a name brand shirt, cargos, nike socks and vans. That is what almost every teenager wears daily in the American culture side of fashion. In Mexico for a typical day I would use a slightly modified wardrobe where the only difference is soccer shoes instead of vans. Come a party, here in the United States the wardrobe changes in to a button shirt, vest, tie, straight jeans and Jordans. In the Mexican culture it is common for most men to always wear boots and sombreros I see that reflect in my southern party attire. For example in Mexico the party night outfit is completely different the shirt gains designs and brighter colors, a tejana, snake skin belt and pointy boots and jeans a slightly more baggy. So though somethings stay the same come certain days and a whole different side shows. The cultural difference between parties depends on where the party is taking place. Here in the good old U.S of A , a traditional party has good friends to enjoy the party with and by

good friends I mean your long time buddies and relatives. They also have music coming out of a iPhone or stereo at a minimum volume. Music is what brings the life to the party but, in Mexico the perception of music plays a huge cultural role. The music in a Hispanic traditional party is usually brought to you by a band or even a mariachi depending on the occasion but it is always super loud. Mariachi music can be traced down Hispanic cultural roots for ages making it a must at most parties. Where I see the biggest change is parties is in the amount of people being invited. Like I mentioned parties in America are often small. While in Mexico the amount of people that attend the party is almost tripled compared to here. For example the customary party in Mexico contains friends,family, your families friends and family and the whole neighborhood. Though parties share many characteristics the cultural difference is what makes me prefer Mexican parties. My culture plays such a big part in my life that even spiritually it plays a significant role. What am I talking about, my Religion. In Mexico and USA I had to studied and went to catechism for a very long period of time because in my culture you must be Catholic to even fit in. But even my views on religion change just by crossing a border. Where it really changes religiously is in Mexico because there I go to church every Sunday but I also go to church every day for almost an entire month. Every day we do a long and time consuming prayers and at the end receive a generous gift from who asked us to do prayers, then go outside and have the little kids break a piata as a thanks for being patient during the prayers. Take in fact that this is everyday. At the end of the month we have a tradition where all of the young and old men carry the Virgen Marry across the whole pueblo asking it to take care of us and every one in it. We end that day off with loud fireworks all night and give a finale thanks by setting off a tower of

fireworks with a picture of her on the top. While here in the United States I usually try to go to church every Sunday and pray before I go to bed, that is about a religious as I get. So as far as Religion goes my Mexican culture has gained an American side and to be honest I am very melancholy because I should be more true to my faith like I am in my true culture. That is why I feel that being a Chicano doesnt take anything away from me it just adds to my traditions and culture. Just because the way I dress, party and seek out my faith have taken some minor adjustments it doesnt mean that they are forever lost it just means that they changed a little. I am till this very day that young man from two worlds living on one planet and I am happy being that young man and living my life the way it is because It gives me two different aspects on life. So even if I had three,four even five different sides cultures it would never mean that I am more one then the other because when you mix them all together you end up with a person that has a more opened mind to the world and that is something I believe everyone should try to gain.

El Jefe and my Hero. He is a great leader, but an even greater hero! You might be asking yourself who am I referring to. Well, I am talking about a man who lived his life to better the ones of others. Cesar Chavez is a hero in the Chicano culture. He led one of the greatest strikes in California known as La Huelga. He saved the lives of many field workers. He is such a great man that he has recognition not only from Mexicans but Americans as well. The life of Cesar Chavez was not an easy one. In his early life Cesar Chavez experienced the hard life of field working first hand. As a kid he worked part-time in the fields to help support his family. As an adult he knew about the hard times field workers went through he decided to do something about it. It was in 1962 when Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta decided to form National Farm Workers Association. Cesar Chavez and the association began with nonviolent strikes. Due to the fact that the owners still refused to change the working conditions Cesar Chavez Decided to start one of the most wide spread strikes called La Huelga. The strike was so big and power that the owners finally came to there senses and gave better working conditions. Thanks to Cesar Chavez many lives of field workers are now saved. How? Well thanks to him field workers now get rest, shade and water. Not only that, but do to his accomplishments field workers now shouldnt have to forced to work with dangerous pesticides that can lead to serious sicknesses or even death. I say shouldnt because even though it is not permitted by the government many people still force there worker to deal with those pesticides. Many lives have been saved and a vast majority of people are grateful for what Cesar Chavez has done for this country.

Cesar Chavez is such a great man that even the president of the United States Obama wants to give him recognition for all his accomplishments. On Monday October,8 Obama scheduled to come to Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz. There he will publicly announce that he will be creating a national monument in Cesar Chavez honor. Not only does Obama take recognition for Cesar Chavez but many Americans, Hispanic and Chicano Field workers have already made fan pages, documentaries, schools, programs and statues in his honor. A certain amount people might just see him as the leader of a rebel group, but much more people see him as a hero for all of his achievements. We as America will for ever have great respect for Cesar Chavez standing up for what he believed in and helping field workers get the respect and working conditions that they are entitled to. I personally think that Cesar Chaves is a hero and he is my main role model. If he has taught me anything in my life it this saying pretty much sums it up, Si Se Puede, because if you stand for what you believe nothing in this world is in possible.

Citation Page -Poster in Ms. Zaichs class room about Cesar Chavez that helped inspire me to write. -Article in the modesto bee where I got my information about Mr.Obama going to make a monument in Cesar Chavez honor. - Information on Cesar Chavez life was found on the web page http://www.ufw.org which has a lot of information to offer on the subject of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Association.

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Mexican Media. ndale ndale! Arriba Arriba! Yes, Speedy Gonzales the Mexican mouse we all love. Like him there are many more cartoon characters, artists and musicians that came from Mexico that have stolen the hearts of everyone. Media is a form of communication, and for that reason Mexican Media can be found almost anywhere through out the world. Mexican media has influenced the world at large and it is still growing everyday. Everyday more and more Hispanic actors are showing up on television shows where the target audience of the show are of all different races. Take for example the kids show Handy Manny starting the Mexican actor Wilmer Valderrama as Manny. In the show Manny a hard working, brown skinned, adult goes about his day helping others. In many episodes Manny shows his true Mexican side of culture by having a party with piatas, eating a typical Hispanic meal or even dancing to a Mariachi song. Though those are typical things a Mexican person would do, Disney; the creator of the show, has an audience of all races and cultures and they decide to make this character Hispanic and that shows how Disney is influenced by Mexican media and attempts to influence others about Mexican culture. Young artists are now more aware of Hispanic art and it is growing into a popular trend within the art world. Art is a world wide media that expresses feelings, thoughts even emotions. Being such a big topic art can be almost anything and there is so many different types. Though there are so many types of art Hispanic art is influencing all types of artist as we speak. Frida Kahlo is on of those inspirational artist that incorporates her Mexican culture into many of her art pieces. Frida is now known as one of the best Mexican artist and expresses her hard times in life as well as culture and it has influenced many artist to continue to follow there dream no matter

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what. She is not the only artist that influences others, there is many more among her that are also Mexican and doing the same thing. Carlos Santana is one of the most well recognized Mexican Artist and he has influenced a vast majority of young artist. He is widely known and recognized for combining Latin style music that came from his early life and the urban culture of American style of music. Also thanks to Santana many upcoming artist have a role model to look up to. Due to Santanas accomplishments people no matter what race are now out there creating new creations of music much like Santana. The world at large is taking new viewpoints and feelings on what is Mexican media. There are many different types of media that have influenced the world such as Hispanic artist, musicians and Mexican Art. So if you are ever interested in learning some of the history of the Hispanic culture start off with some simple but interesting medias such as art, music and role in television. As a Mexican I believe that many of my likes, beliefs and culture shows up in many of my works just like those inspirational people that influence much of the people in this world.

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