I am used to getting all sorts of emails and communications about controversial blogs. It is not surprising that Monday’s blog resulted in the many normal comments that I get. They range from “thanks for exposing this” to “you’re just plain crazy.” What I did not expect was a detailed email telling me that I am one of those Mexican haters. Yes, you read that right, the writer, using an obvious pseudonym, wrote that I did not understand that El Paso and Cd. Juárez are dependent on each other for economic prosperity.
“You must hate Mexicans,” the writer wrote to me.
Hmmm, anyone that has read at least three to four of my blog posts knows that I am a proud Mexican by birth and by citizenship. To this day it is the only citizenship I hold, although I am eligible to become a US citizen. I have not become a US citizen because of the oath requiring me to renounce all other citizenships. I am just not ready to make an oath renouncing my Mexican citizenship.
Because of that simple fact, it would be impossible for me to hate Mexicans.
Clearly the writer has no clue about me or my blog. The individual took one piece I wrote and created an illusion about who I might be.
I have been advocating a regional approach to economic development for many years now. I have continuously believed that the Internet is central to an economic renaissance for El Paso-Cd. Juárez.
Regional economic development is the key to El Paso’s economic development. It has always been and will continue to be so well into the future. My article has nothing to do with hating Mexicans or that regional economic development is bad for El Paso.
My blogging has everything to do with bad public policy and political actors operating in the shadows. It does not matter who or what is involved but rather the topic I choose to write about. The reason that I write about specific individuals is because, I believe writing about them helps me expose the politics being played out in the background that create xenophobic policies centered on targeting immigrants as scapegoats or public policy that is designed to enrich a certain select few.
From that nexus rises the Donald Trumps of the national politics and the “click-bait” headlines about ISIS/ISIL on the border by the Texas Tribune to the ballpark and El Paso Children’s Hospital debacles that keep El Paso mired in rising taxes.
Exposing corruption is why I choose to write about certain topics. I plan to continue to do this for as long as I can type or dictate to my blog.
So no, I do not hate Mexicans because how can I hate that which defines me?
The writer must not recognize Hispanic/Latino/Mexican names.,
Most likely the writer is a person that believes Mexico does no wrong, perfect. Good that he feels that way. The reality is every country has its faults. To believe otherwise is fantasy.
Or the writer must not read your blog. Martin has posted several blogs portraying Mexico in a positive light. While readers may not agree with him, to his credit he allows the comments to remain posted. While other blogs delete any comments that disagrees with them. Which is odd as blogs were supposed to be a give and take, not proganda or mistruths or spin.
Thank you Martin
I am just not ready to make an oath renouncing my Mexican citizenship.
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But you take advantage of the benefits of owning property and doing business in the US, one of which is general safety from shakedowns (except if it’s with El Paso County) and extortion. Very hypocritical of you, Martin. Are your children US citizens?
Otherwise, you’re a pretty nice guy:)