Mi Frontera (My Border)

The last few weeks on social media and the news have been pretty insane; constant "conversation" concerning the border has been getting hotter and heavier (especially this week). As I've been convicted and conflicted, I've thought about what I would or should say (if anything). The purpose behind this post isn't necessarily to have a conversation though I think that'd be cool, but some of the things I'd like to address are because all of this is (and has been) happening in my back yard. 

I'm not a stranger to the crisis on the border; having family and friends on both side of the river, this hits close to the chest. I have listened to many arguments from several people and have engaged conversation with friends who have differing views, including Border Patrol agents, non-profit organizations, and friends who's voice I value.

My purpose behind this post isn't to write about a particular side and I'm sure as you read through this you may disagree with me. That's cool too. You're probably way smarter than I am. I think what would be increasingly beneficial would be dialogue; a space where we can come to an agreement or even see perspectives changed. Things like that happen; at least they used to. 

CRISIS, IDENTITY, AND ACTIVITY

I think I could have started this post and continued from a totally different angle; stirring a lot of emotion and sending us for a loop, but I don't think that's beneficial right now. I could have jumped right into the kinds of conditions that many of these individuals and families are coming from, the amount of money and danger they placed themselves in, cartel stuff, and policy jazz. I think those are separate conversations; we don't have time for those. 

However, here are three truths (and I'm sure there are more) that I'd like to emphasize; both for my people here on the border and those from afar. 

1. A Crisis
A crisis, however unfortunate, is not only a time of great trouble, but a result of something that has gone without much or any attention. In a crisis, people and organizations are scrambling to get things done, establish resources, and find a solution as quickly as possible. In our case on the border, when a crisis is exposed it now presents itself with two things: (1) protest and (2) opportunity. 

If you've been on social media over the last few days, everyone has something to say. They may be right, wrong, or not even involved and content is being pumped out at a ridiculous rate. In my opinion, as I've seen content, arguments, and social media cloud the interweb on both sides of this crisis, I think the one who really gets screwed over is the man with his family who's needing a meal.

I'm not trying to be passive or "neutral," but I do think, as Christians at least, we need to look at a few things. For instance, in 2014, when the border crisis was at an all time high (with almost 1400 people coming to our borders a day), we saw border agencies along with the help of several non-profit organizations become quickly underfunded, under resourced, and understaffed because of the amount of people trying to get into the United States. 

Today, the crisis on the border has numbers that are less, but similar to those in 2014 and both border agencies and NPO's are on the ground once again providing care for many coming into the United States. This crisis is a result of a lack of attention to border security and that sends a message. 

Additionally, the other hard truth that many wish to not discuss is that not everyone coming into the United States is looking for the American Dream or asylum. And I'm not agreeing with the current policy. I think it sucks. When I see kids without their parents, it's absolutely heart breaking. And there's sadly a lot of gray in those scenarios too. So then, what's the solution? 

I don't have an answer and I'm not sure if you do either. I don't think the current policy is the solution, but I also don't think that writing "open the borders" is a real solution either because that's very ignorant. We've been there previously and the only winners in that scenario were the cartels. 

I do know, however, that this crisis provides opportunity. But I can't talk about opportunity without first talking about identity. 

2. IDENTITY
The Bible teaches us that we are residents of this earth and exiles; that at one point we were lost and Christ called us to Himself and made us alive in Him. And regardless of where we come from, once we were enemies of God and now through the work of the Son on the cross, we have been called sons and daughters to God. 

If what we do first begins with who we are, then we must hold fast to the person and work of Christ. Our theology will drive our philosophy. And if we are first grounded upon the truth of the gospel, then we can at least be a little more sober minded while also developing a conviction concerning border security. 

The gospel teaches a profound truth about Jesus: He meets us where we're at by thrusting Himself into the hell and mess of our lives; willingly.

I think theology and philosophy run together, not separate. 

3. ACTIVITY
I think that my biggest push here is that our activity not be political. And I say that not because I believe that politics and the gospel are separate or because politics as a whole can be ineffective. I don't believe that at all. But if our activity is simply arousing emotion over an issue then our motivations are now simply driven by agendas rather than the gospel. 

Simply, as we develop further concern and conviction over border security, we should also be getting our hands dirty, amigos. I'm not overly fond of hearing about why "x, y, and z" is bad while letting a family who's here right now go hungry or could use shelter and food. 

Again, you may have way better insights or views on what's going on, but unless you're in my backyard, then I think your motivation may simply be political and agenda driven. I could be wrong. 

My prayer is to see policies change; to see families brought together; to see my home secured; for the men and women in green to be safe as they perform their job daily whether in a crisis or not; and to see the church jump into the mess of others' lives to demonstrate and declare the beauty of the gospel for the sake of His glory and nothing else. 

ON THE GROUND SUPPORT

• The Office of Refugee Resettlement 

• Circle of Health International

• Comfort Cases (raising money for backpacks)

• The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights

• Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

Next week, we'll be on the south side of McAllen at several of these facilities partnering with other missions organizations and I'll provide some of their contact information too should you be interested in jumping in. 

It's been nearly a month since I returned from my trip to California. The experience was friendly, the weather was stellar, and returning to Texas was a relief. During our time, we visited San Diego which was exciting because I wanted to see what the border culture was like in another state.

I had a great time in San Diego, visiting several coffee shops, friends, and observing the people in their city. However, I soon felt that, to me, it lacked identity. I felt as if San Diego was a city that housed so much diversity that it would be difficult for one to properly identify. I don't think it is a bad thing at all, but different. 

Thirty minutes south of San Diego rests San Ysidro, CA. A city located on the U.S./Mexico border. As we drove in, advertisements that were once in English transition over to Spanish and a city that is broad in its culture and diversity is now immensely populated and influenced by one culture. 

Living on the Texas/Mexico border, San Ysidro was not a culture shock. In fact, that's not the point of this post rather, interestingly the border town culture, where the United States and Mexico combine, started and ended in San Isidro. In the Rio Grande Valley, the city of Hidalgo is the gatekeeper of the culmination of the two countries, eloquently combining culture and tradition that stretches to the outskirts of Falfurrias, TX and beyond. 

I was surprised to see a border town's culture start and end in the same location. I suppose California is diverse enough to be identified as a state housing much diversity. Or maybe California is a state that has worked hard at keeping the border at bay.

I suppose, I am also looking for clarity regarding the culture of our state. After living in central and north Texas and spending time in west Texas, it is apparent that the Hispanic population has great influence in their cities. I am not saying Texas is better, but what makes our people different than others? 

Is it pride versus a lack of support or awareness? Does it even matter? California played a significant role during the time of the civil rights movement, was the success baton passed on to other states? 

Raza, what, if anything, are we missing? 

 In case you haven't caught on, the Valley is a beautiful culmination of the United States and Mexico; both nations collide and form what we call a border town. Border Towns have their own rules and the community is united under commonality. 

I understand the Valley is different and it has its quirks and to outsiders, these quirks can come across as inconvenient and frustrating, at times. However, my attempt is not to persuade you to accept the Valley or Border Towns, but to help you understand the culture. I want to begin with one central message: dialects.

While it sounds like something made up, I can assure you, "Tex-Mex" is a legitimate dialect. Below are brief examples of dialects that many have a misunderstanding of and here is my attempt to help bring it all together. 

CHICANO ENGLISH

It's not uncommon to travel to southern California and hear Mexican-Americans (or people of Mexican heritage) refer to themselves as Chicanos. Similar to the Valley, California's border towns provide a unique sense of culture and language. While we have a lot in common, the choice of words for certain things are different. 

Tacos are burritos while in Texas a burrito is fried or an enormous tortilla filled with meat, rice, beans, and cheese; a taco is a soft tortilla wrapped in a delicious delicacy. Additionally, in SoCal, fajitas is carne asada, but in Texas carne asada refers to meat that is grilled over fire; fajitas is a type of meat. 

My wife is from California and we have this argument often. 

In any case, California and Texas share common interests, but it's simply communicated differently- this includes slang. 

POCHO

"Pocho" refers to broken Spanish. It's taking words from the English language and making them sound Spanish. It can be hilarious. It can be insulting. But at the end of the day, if you walk into a barrio and do not speak Pocho, but formal Spanish, you might as well be a rich white boy from Harvard- you're not welcomed. 

Words in Pocho include "lonche" which means "lunch," "chorts" which mean "shorts (yes, the kind you wear," or "tochar" meaning "to touch." Get it? Pocho. 

I could give this large sociological excerpt on Pocho, but this is a blog, not a journal. 

SPANGLISH

This is a serious debate for many because often it can be confused for Tex-Mex or Chicano English, but quite frankly, it isn't. 

Spanglish is its own dialect and it refers to the unity of two languages in order to paint one picture. In short, starting a sentence in English is the beginning of a thought and what brings color and life to that thought, idea, or conversation is finishing it in proper Spanish.

"The people needed to be led; they needed orgullo, animo."

TEX-MEX

Tex-Mex is very similar to Pocho, much like many forms of Chicano English. In fact, the separation in both dialects is geographical location. If Pocho is broken Spanish, then Tex-Mex is broken Spanglish.

For example: 

"I'm going to the store." | "Voy a ir a la tienda." | "Voy 'pa la store."

"Why?" | "¿Porque?" | "Por why?"

"Stop." | "Alto." | "Estop." 

Additionally, whistling is a form of communication. How one whistles will determine their feelings or thoughts. If one whistles before finishing their sentence, it is because the whistle conveys the remainder of the thought or feeling. Whistling is also used to grab one's attention (No you're not a dog, get over yourself. If you think that, then you take yourself way to seriously). 

CONCLUSION

I wish to end by saying that this brief introduction into border language is an attempt to help you (or make you laugh) understand border culture. Please, do not be offended when you step on border soil and the majority population doesn't speak English, it's an insult when you speak louder or display irritation. 

Remember, this is a country of immigrants with a ridiculous amount of cultures, dialects, and beliefs. And, no where in the constitution or declaration does it state that English is the official language of the United States. It's the most common, estuped.