I know a lot of you Xicano readers half-heartedly believe me when I tell you that there are Mexicans in Columbus. (I’ve written about the historical groups of Latinos in Ohio.) The story I often recall was as a child driving with my mamÃÂ. She would see someone brown and pull over and excitedly asking them if they were a paisano. If she were to do this today in Columbus, Ohio she would be pulling over at every intersection. I wonder how difficult it was for my mother then. You see my mom isn’t a Chicana she is Mexicana. Didn’t come to the United States until she was in her twenties and married to my father. He told her they were just going to visit. And up until two years ago if you had asked my mother if she lived in the US she would reply “No, I am just visiting” after 20 some years of visiting my mother now says she lives her. I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like for her to move from her family and friends to the suburbs of Ohio where many people had only seen Mexicans when vacationing on their cruises.
This weekend Columbus, Ohio has its big Latino Festival, Friday and Saturday from noon- to midnight. There are multiple booths, four stages, a soccer tournament all kinds of fun stuff. Sadly though and I am always embarrassed to admit this I don’t know any of the groups performing. This year is slightly different. I know the group Sones de México. I got to see them perform at NACCS in Chicago, 2002. They are awesome. And get this, because they are from the Irish-Mexican neighborhood of Chicago they play some hybrid Mexican-Irish songs. You can only imagine how much this Irish-Xicana loves it.
Hi Elenamary. :-)
That festival sounds like fun. If I were there I’d definatley be partaking in the soccer tournament. I currnetly play on 4 soccer teams here in TX; two outdoor and two indoor. I love the game.
I was looking at past pics off the festival site and it looks like plenty of fun.
Great site here. But remember, I’m just visiting, even if I just visit for twenty years or so. :-P j/k
Funny that one of the fruits in their design is the kiwi. Have kiwis become latino now?