This is my second month in the United States, well, in Miami, Florida (some think it is not really part of the Union), and I have already said that, although I once lived here, I found things totally different…
But today I…not wanting to get into politics or religion…will say that I am beyond shocked that things such as abortion rights, gun control and the safety of people are things that are in question, lacking, and surely more in need of in these here United States.
Massacres, gun violence, racism, bigotry, classism, waste, all these things seem to describe the US at the present time. How can one political party blame the other one when both contemplate and adhere to supposed «White Supremacy»? And hasn’t there always been White supremacy? It is in Europe, and not because we are all white, but because that is part of our history. I am not making a judgement, or saying that it is right, it just is.
Now, how can one political party, let’s say the more liberal one, accuse the other one of systemic racism when they call American Indians «Native Americans»? That is a made-up, anti-historical name. There are no «native» Americans. All the Indian peoples from Canada to the Patagonia arrived here by crossing the Bearing Straits when that was frozen over. At least in Canada they call them something appropriate like «First Nations».
Should there be a serious effort to end racism in the United States, it should start with the government itself and the best way is not to call people «White», «African American», «Hispanic», «Native» or «People of Colour.» First of all, none of those names mean anything. There is no such thing as an «African American», and no such thing as a «Hispanic», or «Native», and what the hell is a person «of colour»? The US government should be advised that a «Hispanic» is a person born in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain), not in any country in America.
From an individual point of view, people can call themselves, or others, whatever they want, but the government should call its citizens simply United States citizens, (Americans if they like), or US nationals, nothing more. And folk from other countries of America, should be called by what they are, for example: Colombians, Cubans, Argentinians. They are not «Latino» (what the hell is that?), they are not «Hispanic» (they were not born in Spain), they have a nationality, please respect it.
Now there does not seem to be much racism against Europeans, but once there was, especially against the Irish and the Italians, although Germans and others suffered, to a lesser extent, as well. How did it end? Well, it was shifted to Whites against Blacks and some of these immigrants joined in. And I am waxing on…and on…because of the recent shootings that have taken place in this country. Those two recent ones are now part of a long list of racist killings and frankly I cannot understand why the government of a country like the US allows a twenty-one year old person to purchase a handgun, a rifle, or much worse, an assault rifle!
So, in conclusion, you cannot teach children that it is wrong to be prejudiced, that it is even worse to be racist and that we are all equal and the same, when you are constantly affirming those differences. People born in the US are not the only «White» people in the world, or even in America. You find White people in most countries south of the border. You also find Blacks, Indians, and Middle Easterners (who can also be white or black) and Orientals. Basically in those countries of Central and South America you find the same melting pot as in the United States. Then if racism is to be stopped, stop differentiating people because of their colour, because of their origins, or because of the way they comb their hair.
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
How beautiful
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Thank you Beth!
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Great shot, the water is so gorgeous. Paddle boarding is fun and great exercise.
Well I couldn’t agree more with everything you said in fact even within the states it can be quite different. I left the south after college because I couldn’t stand the racist talk and anyone who looked a little different was or could be a target. It is still terrible here in NC. Because we have about an acre and a half it is completely legal to put a target anywhere on your property and shoot even a assault weapon. Of course we did not know this when we moved into this development. The KKK and white supremacy groups are still active and alive here in NC. People also shoot their guns at night which is illegal yet by the time you call the police the people stop shooting. Mass shootings have become as common as fires. I would say you summed things up pretty good. To go from downtown Miami where there is excessive wealth to just a short plane ride you have Haiti. There are starving to death and few seem to care. I am guessing you will all be ready to go back to Spain. Sorry you hit a real sore spot with me. We will be looking at homes when we are visiting our daughter. Much love and a wonderful evening to you three from us. ❤️🦋🤗
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Well it is a shame, so many lives lost just because the government won’t take any action to control the proliferation of guns. I truly hope this begins to change soon. Thank you so much. Yes, one more month and God willing, we are gone. Love and blessings to you both and the family! 🌺❤️🙏🏻😊🌹
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Amen my friend. 🙏
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Hispanic was/is a rallying point to united all those Spanish speaker for elected offices in the US fyi I know been a VP and member of LULAC! There is more than Miami in the USA. Just like the word salsa was a united front not that the roots are Cuban ::) Its a complicated country as having American girlfriends the color is important always then now and the future me think. Enjoy the sun and do not worry about the rest can get you older lol! Cheers
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Believe me my friend, I do not worry. I am a Spaniard, we’ve troubles of our own (Pedro Sanchez) so don’t think I am writing because I am worried. As an artist I have a responsibility to share what views I have of the world and since the US was part of my world a long, long time ago, I have a right to discuss its problems. I wore the uniform of the US Army and fought for this country, I think I’ve earned the right to say a few things. Thank you Pedro and you too, enjoy the heat, I hear there’s a heat wave already in Europe, at least there is one in Spain. All the best.
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Well taken all the best. The heat is in the south always hotter here is 21C nice. Cheers
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Yes the heat in the south is worse my friend. It’s already 28 in Miami! All the best and a happy weekend to you!
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Well in central Florida is hotter Orlando where have cousins have 31C ! Stay under the palms lol!
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Definitely in the shadows! And with lots of sunscreen 70 spf! All the best!
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You went away and missed some of my history there: https://paris1972-versailles2003.com/2021/02/24/my-florida-wonderful-memories/
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Well said, Francis. Life is indeed crazy in the US. All the genies are out of their bottles, and I don’t know how or if they will ever be put back in. The main ones I’m thinking of are guns and free speech. There aren’t enough people in Congress with enough backbone to stand up against the NRA and their gun-toting constituents. It’s a sad predicament we’re in and I’m glad I’m getting old. Lawmakers throw common sense out the window when interpreting the US Constitution. The framers of the Constitution didn’t mean assault rifles when they gave us the right «to bear arms.» Muskets weren’t weapons of mass destruction. If it’s against the law to falsely yell, «Fire!» in a theater, why is it okay for Trumpers and his ilk to spout out hate-filled speech in public and on TV? We’ve lost our common sense in this country. I guess common sense isn’t as common as it used to be.
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Yes, I find it incredible the things that are going on. It’s like a different country, no longer a democracy but something quite the opposite. I too am glad I am old. Even though I live in my own country, I’ve strong ties here as well as much family born and raised here and I care what will life hold for them. If they don’t stop this madness of selling guns, I don’t know what will end up happening here. People yell and scream about rights, but they’ve forgotten their duties. All the best Janet.
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It’s good to get these things of your chest Francesc. Have a great weekend 🙂
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Well, in truth they don’t affect me, and never did when I was living here, but they are now affecting too many people…
Lovely weekend to you Malc!
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A realistic view of the world. Thanks!
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More or less George. Thank you! Happy weekend to you!
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Yes, that’s what I was thinking about. How did this happen this way? There’s the ultra-right threatening with violence and the ultra-left with changing the morals of society, and we’re stuck in the middle. I know I don’t live here any more but my children and grandchildren are Americans and this is their home. In any event, thank you my friend and a happy weekend to you!
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I like the Canadian term of First Nation. I wonder what the Portuguese think of your statement of only Spain being on the Iberian peninsula.
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First Nation is a proper and respectful way to identify the Indians of Canada, certainly. No, I did not mean to imply that Spain was the only country in the Iberian Peninsula, I was referring to the term Hispanic, which only applies to Spaniards, not to the Portuguese. Cheers Pat, have a great weekend!
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Wishing you the same. It’s almost wine time.
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