THE ART OF BROWNSVILLE - COMMENTS

Right now I am listening to Cyndi Lauper's "Time after Time" and I am magically transported to my younger days in Brownsville, or atleast to a recollection of the dance scene in "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion". I remember when I was in High School all I could think about was getting away from Brownsville, and to move on to the bigger and better things. And honestly in a way I have, but just to different things (not necessarily bigger and better). It is in Austin where I have better understood the culture of my hometown and have learned to better appreciate it. I didn't even know who Americo Paredes was until I came to Austin. I guess the saying "a prophet is not known in his own land" is true. I knew about Rudolfo Anaya before I knew about Paredes, and he's from New Mexico! I love Anaya but you would think I would have known about the major contributions Paredes gave to the scholarly and preservational endeavors of South Texas history and culture. It's kind of sad that you have to get away from your roots to get a better perspective on it, but I guess that's how human nature works. We aren't trained to assess or question the standards or environment we are raised by, rather we deem it righteous to judge other cultures or societies as wrong and out of date or different. Or as in the case for many Brownsvillians as was for me, we deem it right to judge Brownsville without understanding anything about its culture or history. I think that is a big problem with American society as a whole but in essence every society has this problem. If we were all willing to think outside of our own boxes once in a while then maybe our world could be a bit better off, or as to put in analogous form "to walk a mile in someone's else's shoes". The same problem occurs for art. Since childhood, people are trained to appreciate realistic and traditonal art over abstract and modern art. Most people are not interested in art that doesn't have a flower vase or a weeping Maddona. I think it stems from the basic probelm that people prefer not to challenge their own notions of what right and wrong is. Truth is there is no such thing as reality, only perspective. In a way I think artists have an understanding of this and create art to visualize their own reality, their own truth. Okay, I think I have gotten way out of topic, even if there wasn't one. I just think if Brownsville could get out of its own little shell for a moment, they can already see the wonderful beauty of culture and history that surrounds them, rather than look to capitalistic hopes to substantiate their identity as a city. Nothing wrong with capitalistic hopes, hey everyone has a right to dream and make their way in this world. But if it comes at the cost of culture then we need to stop and evaluate what our city's objectives are in terms of building a history and culture that will give back and represent us to the world. I have added some links about Intercultural education (which has a lot to do with the theories behind my argument) as well as to the Brownsville Herald. That Herald site has a pretty cool message board system where people love to give input about Brownsville politics, news and society. Just avoid the squalls betwen McAllen and Brownsville residents who bicker about who has more retail and restaurant chains in their mall. So in final point, if you wish to support a better cultural and social development in Brownsville, then support your local artists and fine arts programs and education.