Inside from the Inside

A mere seven days ago The Beer Summit brought us two grown people squaring off mano a mano to resolve an explosive racial issue.  It seems like the fire has been put out for the time being.  Is this a great country or what?  Today sixty eight senators voted to seat a “wise Latina” as the first Hispanic justice to the supreme court. 
 
It’s a good day to be a Hispanic in the good ole United States of America not withstanding all the noise coming from the right on being “wise.”  Which leads me to the story of a man we will call Jose the Charro. 
 
Two years ago I had a photo shoot assignment for the Diez y Seis de Septiembre Parade.  I got there early to get the lay out of the land  and to stake out the best positions.   The VIP’s and dignitaries were setting up but what got my attention was Jose. 

 
He was dressed impeccably as a Mexican cowboy with rope in hand.  I thought to myself, “Now there’s a story and I need the pictures to go with it.”  So I made my way through the growing crowds to engage him.
 
His hands were full of calluses and his face was a weathered mask by a hard life.  He told me he was a native of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  He came to the states as a young man to work hard and save money in hopes of buying a small ranch in his home land.  As fate would have it, he eventually settled and became acculturated and in time he and his family were assimilated into the fabric of our country. 
 
He lives alone.  His children are grown and they live in other states.  One is a university educated professional living in Chicago.  His voice began to quiver and his eyes teared as he became swelled with feelings when I asked him, “Why do you come to the parade?” 
 
He admitted it’s the only way he can live his dream of being a charro.  His heart’s desire to work off the land with cattle and horses has been traded for a road paving truck and all the gear necessary to cover the land with asphalt.  Funny how dreams come true for some like Judge Sotomayor while for others like Jose they become a ranch in the sky.  
 
Jose and his kind like my father have made a positive contribution to America. The majority of these people and their works go unnoticed.  It may not be the lofty and intellectual record of a Judge Sotomayor but rest assured that the tiny threads are woven into the American storyline.       
 
If you look closely at Jose you will find self pride and dignity of a caballero from a different era.  Jose, may you live your remaining days knowing you were important to humanity.

Tags: Charro, Judge Sotomayor