Junior y Chino Because we love America

First Rant

Muy bien mi amigo Junior! Yo soy El Chino, o Chino. My grandpa on my mom's side was full blooded Chinese and my grandma was de Ecuador. (excuse the Spanglish, but that's what you're gonna get from me, entiende?) My mom is half Ecuatoriana, mitad China. My dad is from Guatemala. When I was a boy my slanted eyes were very prominent, not so much anymore, but I am still a little achinado, therefore, EL CHINO.

That's where THEY are from and I am extremely proud of my heritage and ancestry. I was born in Elmhurst hospital in Queens, NY....  I AM AN AMERICAN! This is also a source of great pride in my heart. The only reason I make the distinction is because every time I meet a fellow latino they invariably ask me, "De donde eres?" So I tell them, if the person asking is from anywhere in Central America or Mexico they say, "Oh you're from Guatemala?" If they are South American they say, "Oh you're from Ecuador?"  No, I am not, I do not know whether or not La Zona 13 en Guate is safe after dark. I don't know who sells the best ceviche in Babahoyo durante las fiestas. I'd like to, and maybe one day I'll be able to spend more time out there. I would really LOVE to visit China. I've been to the other two places and they each have their own distinct characteristics that I love. And some I don't particularly care for. (like Ecuadorians' driving habits)

Why am I boring you with this, my FIRST POLITICAL POINT......... wait for it.......... I HATE, HATE, HATE that all Latinos/Hispanics get lumped into one smelly group!  Usually we all get called Mexicans anyway! I can't imagine how a Brazilian would feel about being called a Mexican. This is no slight on any country or people, obviously.  But we are all different with different viewpoints and customs.

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election Hispanics voted somewhere in the ratio of 60-40% in favor of the Democrat party. Blacks by contrast were over 80% for the Democrats.  America in general was, as everyone knows, 50-50, or 49-51 to be exact. This is usually the case. In last years election "Hope and Change" (somebody please define that for me), Latinos were swayed because the man running reminded them so much of the promising candidates that they saw time and again with their messages of a change in the corrupt ways of the past, back in their countries at home. All these guys obviously didn't live up to their hype, and some others used their power to amass more power and slip into Dictatorship roles. (Check Hugo Chavez, lets see where that ends up.) Why would Obama be any different?

But the promise.... The promise is the one irresistible force! It's like when a playboy tells a lovestruck girl that he will call her. She asks for reassurance, "you'll call, right?" Guy, "Of course baby. " But he's a playboy, and can't help leading her on with no intention of calling her to get what he wants. So this guy, Obama, promises everything under the sun and the world gets drawn into his eyes.... Except those of us who see thru it and see him for what he really is, a power hungry politician, a playboy.  Now, to an extent, all politicians are this way, but that's a topic for another day.

So my Latino brothers and sisters, Unite! WE elected Obama, to my chagrin, but we did. We have the political power in this country now!!! Let our first act of unity be, to throw away all the old stereotypes, and open our minds and ears to the truth, to common sense.

Thanks, Chino