Cinco de Mayo! While not Mexico’s Day of Independance, it is a day to celebrate Mexican heritage.
Food, of course, comes into play here. Do you like spicy food? We most definitely do. Here’s a picture of the grilled, stuffed, chili rellenos we made.
Take a little time today and explore Mexican culture. Try a Mexican restaurant. Read about Mexican history. Volunteer to teach English as a second language in a Spanish speaking community. Learn Spanish at the same time. Watch a film to learn more about conditions immigrants face, such as Amexicano (play instantly on Netflix). Read my post on Juarez. Visit Ciudad Juarez, Mexico just across the border from El Paso, Texas and stretch out of your comfort zone.
Become aware of the severe poverty in which most of the world lives. Become aware of our role in creating or maintaining that poverty.
Take time to learn about another culture. Remember, to know only one culture is to know no culture at all. We need another culture to compare and contrast our own. That’s how we begin to have enough information to critique our own culture.
This is the reason schools actively promote study abroad programs. Getting students immersed (not just a visit or vacation) in another culture gives them a basis from which to view their own culture. By being present to another way of viewing the world we are transformed. In fact, this is the reason the ability to speak another language is a requirement for most masters and doctoral programs in theology.
Go deeper. Entering into another culture is a way to learn more about others and also more about who we are, why we think the way we do and what impact our own culture has on us. For Catholics this is “mission.”
Go deeper still. Learn about immigration reform. Consider how U.S. farm subsidy policies bankrupt farmers in Mexico and elsewhere, causing them to come north looking for work.
For authentic Chili Rellenos here’s what we did. Roast poblano peppers.
Peel the roasted peppers.
Stuff roasted and peeled peppers with strips of queso cheese.
Dip into egg whites whipped stiff with a bit of flour and fry until golden.
Into 1 cup simmering water whisk 1/2 cup of chili powder until red sauce thickens.
Into cooked rice stir chopped cilantro.
Into cooked black beans add green onion, celery or greens of your choice.
Serve chili rellenos smothered in red sauce along with rice and bean mixture. Add a cold beer with lime if you like.
Enjoy.
Mmmmm
Adios!
You may also like Question the Culture, From Dublin to Juarez and Irish Heritage.
