Garca and Lpez: Where is Our John Wayne?

By Dr. Lino Garcia, Jr, and Jos Antonio Lpez Rio Grande Guardian November 1, 2011 BROWNSVILLE, Oct. 31 - One great historian once proclaimed: If Spain had not existed, there would be no United States of America today. That simple statement may be true in many ways. Using only the most rudimentary navigational technology and dead reckoning, our intrepid ancestors were the first to navigate and settle nearly the entire globe. Yes, it was the Spanish who set the standard for exploration and adventure for other European nations to follow. The extraordinary daring of the Spanish to sail past the Pillars of Hercules (Rock of Gibraltar), which to countless generations from the age of antiquity meant Nothing exists beyond, was truly remarkable. So significant were Spanish accomplishments in those early days that they were the admiration of all of Europe. Attesting to Spains worldwide strength, the Spanish Mexican Dollar was used as legal tender in the U.S. itself until 1857. It was then that the U.S. copied it and created its own dollar system. Specifically, the dollar sign ($) we see today on U.S. currency, based on the Pillars of Hercules logo, is a Mexican contribution to our nations history. Hispanics, particularly Spanish Mexicans originating in Old Mexico have been part of U.S. history since its beginning. In fact, Spanish and New Spain support of U.S. independence are truly examples of American Exceptionalism. General Bernardo Glvez (the forgotten Lafayette) provided key assistance to the young U.S. republic by leading a 7,000 man army along a 1,000 mile long battle line from Texas to Florida. If the British did not have to face General Galvez, it is quite possible that England would have easily defeated the weaker U.S. colonists changing the history of our country forever. Yet, it appears that shortly thereafter in the recording of U.S. history, admiration for the Spanish contributions faded away. For all they did during the age of discovery and their role in the earliest beginnings of our nation, Hispanics are basically forgotten. Additionally, Spanish Mexicans have been virtually scratched off the pages of Texas history books. In short, they have been given

little credit in the early establishment of so many civilized institutions in Texas, such as land management, water rights, education, community property rights, and law. In contrast, the Anglo Saxon viewpoint continues to be held as the only method of teaching our nations history. The story is well-known to every school child. Because they are used to it, generations of Anglo Saxon students are taught that only their pioneer ancestors history matters in the U.S. At the same time, generations of Spanish Mexican-descent U.S. citizens are likewise taught that their ancestor heroes and events are not worthy of pride, robbing them of U.S. history ownership. Based on the one-sided perspective of U.S. history, numerous popular heroes in film, books, and other media world reenact the roles of Anglo Saxon founding of our country. One individual in particular exemplifies that virtue. For over 50 years, John Waynes persona has been molded to embody and defend the Anglo Saxon ideals of freedom, liberty, and patriotism. The question is how can Mexican-descent Hispanics tell their story? Why dont they have advocates at local, state, and national levels to speak on their behalf? They are 30 million strong and their numbers are increasing. Where is the Spanish Mexican John Wayne (or Joan of Arc) voice to tell and defend their well-earned place in U.S history? Yet, it was not always that way. For example, in 1783 General George Washington asked that General Glvez stand to his right during the July 4th Parade celebrations, symbolizing Glvez key role in the war of independence victory. A U.S. Congress proclamation formally thanked Glvez for his bulwark of support. Also, President James Madison in 1811 welcomed New Spains Don Bernardo Gutirrez de Lara to Washington, DC, as a fellow American. Madison similarly supported Mexicos Grito for independence in 1810 as a chance to establish another American sister republic and trading partner. However, when did todays animosity toward Spanish Mexicans in U.S. history begin? The answer is three-fold. First, the Anglo prejudice against Spanish Mexicans was stimulated by old hostilities created by anti-Hispanic bias in England commonly referred to as the Black Legend. Second, as they laid their sight on Mexican land, Anglo leaders in the U.S. disapproved of the strong Spanish assimilation with the Native American population. It must be noted that Anglo brutal intolerance toward Native Americans was a way of life in the U.S. As a

result, U.S. political leaders began a deliberate anti-Mexican (Native American) drive in their recently acquired territory of Texas and the Southwest. For example, on January 4, 1848, Senator John C. Calhoun addressed the Senate regarding the U.S. taking of Mexican land. He complained that it would have been better if the U.S. Army had rid the region of its Spanish Mexican (Native American) race. In other words, he and others in the U.S. believed that the halfwhite, half-brown Mexicans were not equal to Anglos. Third, with their unique culture and language, Spanish Mexican people and events do not fit the Anglo Saxon mold. Even today, due to the illegal immigration debate most members of the general public do not realize that Mexican Hispanics have a long history in the U.S. It is that lost history that we must now rediscover. Below is a collage of people and events that Anglophile historians have seen fit to leave out of the history books. Lest we forget, this continent was first colonized by Hispanics. Look at any pre1845 North America map and two thirds of the land in the U.S. today is the Spanish Southwest. Hispanic exploration went from sea to shining sea. They were the first in Texas (1528), California (1542), New Mexico (1598), and St. Augustine, Florida (1565). They were the first to explore the West Coast from California to Washington State and the East Coast from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay area. However, where is our John Wane to tell this story? After the initial Spanish contact with the American Continent, many enterprising Spaniards financed their own excursions into the unknown. Pnfilo Narvez was one such brave soul. Cabeza de Vacas unique intrepid story is an adventure writers dream. So is the follow-on story of Brother Menas incredible story of survival in 1554 after a shipwreck on the Texas coast. However, where is the Hollywood movie? Wheres our John Wayne to tell the story? There are other intrepid heroes, such as, Captain Alonso de Len, Juan Bautista Chiapapria (Chapa), Los Bexareos and Isleos. Also, those involved with building the Camino Real and Spanish Missions in the Tejas frontera are to be admired. The travels of Fathers Morfi, Margil, Olivares, Terreros, and Francisco Hidalgo are truly inspiring, as are the Ramn Family, Manuela Snchez, St. Denis, Gil Ybarbo, Jos de Escandn (Villas del Norte), and the Martin and Patricia de Len family. Bernardo Gutirrez de Lara was the first to achieve Texas independence (1813). The Battle of Medina is unique in Texas history. The Texas Historical Commission calls it the largest battle ever fought on Texas soil. Over 800 Tejanos lost their lives for Texas freedom. These stories

are each worthy of Hollywood blockbuster movie sagas. However, where are the films? Where is our John Wayne to tell the story? As far as their loyalty, U.S. citizens of Spanish Mexican descent have proven their bravery on the battlefield and have the medals to prove it. A total of 43 Hispanics have received the Medal of Honor beginning with the Civil War when three Hispanics were so honored with this distinction. They have participated in every war fought by the U.S. Even in recent conflicts like in the war in Iraq, nearly 30 Hispanic soldiers from South Texas have been killed in action. What more does the U.S. expect from us? Where are the mainstream library books detailing Hispanic bravery as integral parts of U.S. history? Where are the Hollywood movies? Where is our John Wayne to tell the story? Sadly, encouraged by an anti-Mexican frenzy led by far-right extremists in states such as Arizona and Texas, the illegal immigration issue is used as a whip to punish the entire Spanish Mexican culture in the Southwest. They push for intolerant bills, such as Voter ID, Papers, please legislation, English Only, ending Bilingual Ed and Mexican American studies, etc. Far-right extremists expect all Hispanics in the U.S. to abandon their unique culture. Where is our John Wayne to educate the general public through the media that Spanish Mexican-descent U.S. citizens originating in the Southwest are not immigrants to the U.S.? Where is our John Wayne to firmly declare that speaking Spanish and preserving our centuries-old Spanish Mexican heritage in the Southwest must no longer be considered as sins of U.S. citizenship? Finally, it is indeed disappointing that U.S. citizens of Spanish Mexican-descent, numbering over 30 million strong and the largest segment under the Hispanic umbrella, do not have a consistent defender. The need is urgent. Could the Spanish Mexican John Wayne please step forward? Brownsville native Dr. Lino Garca, Jr., is an eighth Generation Tejano and a Professor Emeritus of Spanish Literature at UTPA. He can be reached at: LGarcia@UTPA.Edu. Laredo native Joe Lpez is also an eighth Generation Tejano. He and wife visit South Texas campuses where they teach students the rich history of early Texas. Jlopez8182@satx.rr.com.

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