May 5, 2009
Not all Eagles Fly the Same
Random thought while waiting in the airport on Cinco de Mayo. Eagles. They're not all the same. Think about the American Bald Eagle, seen on US gold coins, the silver dollar, the half dollar, the quarter and of course on the Great Seal of the United States of America. Majestic. Proud. Stately. It soars, surveying all from sea to shining sea, talons poised to strike. What power it weilds, what authority it commands. In contrast, consider the Mexican version. An eagle born of Aztec legend, perched on a cactus (nopal) and devouring a serpent. Mexico City, supposedly, was born at the site this symbol was first seen. This eagle is definitely different. Scrappy. Dusty. Hot. Pissed. (probably) Two countries separated by a common symbol. A lot like our people. The thing is, we're all just doing our best to fly. Funny how the winds change when you cross the Rio Grande! Happy Cinco y'all.
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Señor Pocho... insightful stuff!
ReplyDeleteI especially connected with the "pissed" reference. It is funny at face value. But dig a bit deeper and you'll find that it is an attitude we (Latinos) try to portray. Ever notice how we (mostly me) are always striving to be cool? And by cool I mean bad-ass -- which clearly I am not.
Keep 'em coming Ed!
Consider setting up camp on twitter to get the word out on your blogs. Follow me at twitter.com/ayqueloco.
Un fuerte Abrazo!
tony
Humans are always facinating with Animals that they cannot catch... That is why we do not see many Chicken or Guajolotes as Flags. The french howerer, have a Cock as part of their branding.. funny ha!!
ReplyDelete...and do consider, while one is soaring, looking from above. The other is standing over that most prickly and unstable of surfaces, a nopal (much like the economy). That takes a certain kind of character. Why not devour a mouse? but rather, a poisonous snake - if the bite never arrives, what about the heartburn after eating that thing (neo-democratized political system)...
ReplyDeleteRestrain is called for however, on elaborating about the cock figths..
Saludos Sr. Cantú!
e.
I love this insight! I'm honored to be both Mexican and American and finding yet another commonality is great.
ReplyDeleteNice analogy, there are many topics to disect among our two neighboring countries...yesterday I was on an OC school campus where all the foreign language classrooms are located in the far back area and in portables (whereas all the rest are somehow connected in real buildings)...the majority of the students are "minorities" and Gustavo Arellano was the guest speaker. Funny how things present themselves, huh?
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