Which English Do You Want Me To Speak?

I can't help but laugh when I am having a conversation in Spanish and someone blurs out "Speak English"!  The reason I find this intrusion into my culture hilarious, is that English has very little English components to it.  This is not news to the average, high school American graduate.  In fact, when discussing the subject with my friends they seem to know all about it.  Which then makes me wonder?  Where does the ignorance come from?

I decided to write this blog to bring this case and plight to light.  How can anyone look down at me and demand that I speak English?  As if English was such a pure language?  As a matter of fact, there are thousands of Spanish words in the English language.  Heck, there are thousands of words from languages around the world in the English language.  The truth is the English we speak today is more of an international language.  The product of the blending of languages that occurred during our 250 years as a nation.  And to be honest, it is nothing unique.  Throughout history common languages were developed to facilitate trade by traveling merchants.  The same way English is used today as the primary language in International Affairs.

For those that do not know, English is derived from a Germanic language.  Meaning, the people that lived in the areas of what is today known as Dutch and Germany; are the ancestors of the English we speak today.  Did you know that 60% of the English language comes from Latin?  Add Greek and French to the mix and it becomes a sticky web indeed.

During the Iron Age, around 800 B.C., a Celtic people known as Britons inhabited the British Islands. Romans invaded the area in waves commencing in A.D. 43.  By the 5th century, Rome was in decline and no longer interested in keeping a stronghold in the region.  That gave an opportunity for the Anglo-Saxons to introduce the Old English language.  A language that is no longer spoken.  Also known by Linguistic Scholars as a "dead language".  Further invasions by the Danes, colored the language with Danish.  There is also documentation of Scandinavian influences from Denmark and Norway.  Known as the Anglo-Normans.  The words "them and their" come from Old Norse.

So, as proof of the accuracy of what I am stating here and to jab all the people who have told countless immigrants to "Speak English"; I have composed an abbreviated list of English words and the language they originate from (I could not possibly include them all.  To do so would convert this blog into a lengthy dictionary):

LATIN (Italian, French, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, et al.)
abdomen, vinegar, exacerbate, acetone, cute, edification, emulate, image, imagination, adequate, equal, equator, equilibrium, equity, equivalent, inadequate, inequality, esteem, estimate, estuary, age, eternal, longevity, mediaeval, agriculture, pilgrim allegro, albino, album, algae, alias, alibi, alien, adultery, alter, alternator, amaretto, ambiguous, amenity, quadrangular, rectangle, triangle, animal, animation, unanimous, annuals, annuity, antenna, aquarium, sewer, arboreal, arc, alarm, armada, armadillo, armor, armory, artifact.

GREEK
abaciscus,, acme, acne, panacea, academia, academy, acrobat, acropolis, aorta, meteor, meteorology, aerobic, aerosol, anestesia, ether, agony, antagonist, agape, analgesic, nostalgia, allegory, parallel, alphabet, amniotic, amphitheater, almond, atypical, Alexander, android, philander, antagonist, antagonize, antibiotic, antebellum, antiquated, antique, antrax, anthropology, philanthropy, synagogue, apostate, aphrodisiac, arachnophobia, anarchy, archangel, architect, archaeology, monarchy, ardor, arson, aristocracy, asterisk, asteroid, astrology, astronaut.

FRENCH
abandon, abash, abatement, abbe, abbess, abbey, abbreviation, abdication, abhor, ability, abjection, able, abnormal, abjection, aboard, abolish, abolition, abominable, abrasion, abridge, abrupt, absence, absent, absolute, action, danger, debit, deceptive, definitive, jacket, jersey, judgement, macabre, machine, maintain, malice, march, mauve, melodrama, zest, zigzag, zany, zenith, wafer, wage, wait, wallet, war, warren, warrior, waste, William, tabernacle, table, tack, tail, tambourine, tapestry, target, taste, tavern.

GERMAN
angst, delikatessen, doppelgänger, fest, gesundheit, kaput, kindergarden, kraut, poltergeist, rucksack, wanderlust, leberwurst, gestapo, nudel, cobalt, streusel, sparerib, waltz, autobahn, Dachshund, pumpernickel, spritz, seltzer, nosh, Schnauzer, bagel, hamster.

SPANISH
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Buena Vista, El Paso, fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, buckaroo, corral, chaps, desperado, hackamore, lariat, lasso, quirt, ranch, rodeo, stampede, ten-gallon hat, arroyo, breeze, caldera, canyon, mesa, playa, sierra, temblor, tornado, alligator, barracuda, bronco, burro, cockroach, mosquito, mustang, aficionado, bodega, fiesta, macho, atador, patio, plaza, piñata, pueblo, quinceañera, rumba, silo, tango, telenovela, conquistador, flotilla, renegade, vigilante, cargo, embarcadero, embargo, galleon, chorizo, cilantro, daiquiri, habanero, jalapeño, mojito, oregano, piña colada, salsa, sherry, taco, tequila, vanilla, bonanza, cafeteria, incommunicado, jade, nada, palmetto, peon, platinum, pronto, savvy, siesta, suave, vamoose.

NATIVE AMERICAN
avocado, chili, chipotle, chocolate, cocoa, coyote, guacamole, mesquite, mole, tamale, tomato, shack, canoe, iguana, hurricane, key (Key West), potato, savanna, tobacco, condor, Inca, jerky, pampa, puma, cannibal, cigar, barbecue.

ARABIC
alhambra, albatross, alcatraz, abobe, crimson, tuna.

BASQUE, CATALAN, CELTIC
zorro, paella, camino.

There you have it folks!  If all foreign words were deleted from the English language, we would end up speaking gibberish.  Perhaps something like the Slavs spoke.  We will never know.  There is no one alive to tell us.  So, my suggestion to our lovely international community is this; if someone of questionable intelligence demands that you "speak English" simply smile and say "I am".  Fin.

Goodnight Sweet Boy

The fourth of July is generally a great opportunity for family to get together and catch up on what has been going on in each other's lives.  This fourth of July has changed the meaning of this holiday for all of us because on this day, we lost a beautiful soul.  I think his niece Selina put it perfectly when she said, "You were too good to be taken from us like this man.  But of course, your crazy butt would go out on the Fourth of July with a bang!" 

The first child of Victor William Diaz, Sr., and Marilyn Antonia Zayas; Victor Williams Diaz, Jr., born October 3, 1972; was lovingly nicknamed Cheerios by his eighty something year old paternal great grandmother, Doña Cruz.  You see, he gave his mother 8 months of morning sickness and the only thing that seemed to alleviate the nausea  was when she ate Cheerios.  Doña Cruz noticed the rapid disappearance of cereal boxes and said "Mija, si sigues haci vas a tener un Cheerio" (Girl, if you keep eating those you are going to give birth to a Cheerio).  And that is how he got his nickname. 

Our boy came into this world ready for a fight.  He had to, he was raised in the rough streets of New York City.  Somehow he knew that he had to be a fighter in order to survive the hurdles that life was going to throw at him.  Victor was street smart and witty, devilish, and if he liked you, kind.  His down falls were the homeless and small pets.  Don't ask me why, he had an issue with both.  He was hot headed and loud and a prankster.  He was so many things; most of them good.  But he was no angel and never claimed to be.  Being the eldest brother of Juan Pablo "Speedy",  Imes Chamey, Dinahte, Danielle, Marilyn "Mima" and Reinaldo "Pipo", prepared him for fatherhood.

Sadly at the age of 11, came the separation of his family.  His mother was taken away from him and most of his brothers and sisters were shipped off to several relatives; except for his brother Speedy.  Him and Speedy were inseparable, the bond they shared unbreakable.  I can only imagine, the devastation and helplessness Cheerios felt, as his world crumpled around him.  He was just a little boy, dealing with a situation that was out of his control, how was he to keep his family together?  It took him many years to recover the loved ones he lost in childhood, but I am certain that it was that experience that made him a fierce protector and provider of his own family.

At the age of 18, he met and married Jeanette.  They had three beautiful children together, Victor Jr., Victoria and Alex.  Cheerios took this opportunity to become the father he would have wanted to have himself.  He loved his children unconditionally, until the very end.  He always worried about them and did all he could to make sure they had what they needed.  In 2009, he had his fourth child Brandon Antonio with his girlfriend Barbaralydia.  He spend his last hours doing exactly what a good father does, running to see his children. 

Throughout his life, Cheerios took on the role of mentor to his siblings and cousins.   He had the biggest heart.  He always tried to help in any way he could. Cheerios had the habit of stopping to help anyone stranded on the side of the road.  We knew better than to question what he was doing, it was best to let him be himself.  I can honestly say, he was always there for us.  Whether it was to fix your car or to give you a few dollars or to let you know when you were messing up.  He did not tolerate foolishness very well and was not afraid to let you know it. And if you happen to call him and tell him you were having a problem with someone, all he would say was "where do you want me to bury the body?"

I know I felt safe when he was around.  I feel like one of our generals is gone. One who kept order and allowed no disrespect.   Cheerios was a senior member of our First Born Club.  You know, the lucky few that are born first in our family. The leaders of our new family branches.  The heads of our new blood lines.  This has been a changing of the guard, which means, there is a void that needs to be filled.  Let's come together and keep his memory alive by being there for his children and help them navigate in this world without their father.  He stood strong and loyal for us while we all grew up together.  Let's come together and comfort each other.  Let's begin to mend the hole that was created when our Cheerios left us by celebrating his life.  Let's not tear up what he helped to built, this family.

God graced all of us by allowing us to spend 42 action packed, crazy, amazing, roller coaster years with this wonderful complicated man.  My life was a little more colorful and exciting just because he was in it.  I will be forever grateful to God All Mighty for allowing me and my sisters to spend time with him before he was taken.  I have precious, unforgettable, memories of our Golden Boy, that I will treasure forever.  Cheerios left us too soon.  He was always busy doing something.  We would have all loved to have kept him around a little longer, but you know what, let's remember him at his best and laugh and still wonder "how did he get away with that one?"   Let's be kind and show love towards one another.  If there is any lesson in this tragedy is that in a blink of an eye the Lord can call us home.  Don't miss this opportunity to mend your relationships. Let's be happy, just like he wanted.

Mama's Eulogy

I want to first thank everyone present, on behalf of our family, for coming to this celebration of the life of our mother Antonia.  I know that there are some that were unable to come because of distance or other obligations, but have sent their love and sympathy.  We truly appreciate it.

I haven't written anything in almost 3 years.  Mostly because writing takes inspiration.  Today I decided to share with you some insight into the life of my Guardian Angel, our Queen Bee, my mother, Antonia Rivera Martinez.  Not only my life long inspiration but my reason for being.

Some of you know her as the stubborn, willful, determined old lady who laughed and ignored the doctors throughout the years, as her health slowly but surely began to fail.  And that is basically true.  She was stubborn.  She was willful.  She was determined.  But she was also so much more than that.

Her love of children perhaps was forged by her life experience.  Mom was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico, July 16, 1935. By the tender age of 7, she was already an orphan.  Losing her mother Tomasa Martinez to a tubal ligation operation.  But even before then, she was moved around from family member to family member.  Being an out of wedlock child, in the 1930's, brought a lot of negative stigma with it,  compound that with being an orphan, and mom felt the sting of a door closed in her face more than once.  Her father Pablo Rivera was a bachelor, a coffee bean laborer who it seemed was unable to care for her.  God rest his soul.  Finally, her father's sister, Hemenegilda, reluctantly took my mother in. Grandma Hemenegilda was strict, very religious and dominating.  God rest her soul. Not the greatest atmosphere for the free spirited rebellious girl.  Mom couldn't wait to leave home.  So at 15 she went out on her own, the way most girls of that time would, who didn't get married or left to college, by getting pregnant.

Mom found strength from being a mother.  So she had 11 children.  She loved babies.  The way they looked.  The way they smelled.  The way they totally depended on her.  I know her quick thinking and uncanny ability to react quickly saved more than one life in this room.  I know, I owe my life to her.  There were days when she would come home from spending hours in an emergency room with one sick child, to pick up another one of us, usually with asthma, and go right back to the hospital.  I thank God everyday for my sister Aida, because I know she was the main reason Mom was able to pull that off.  She would often say that her greatest and only possession where her children.  Mom also said that she would never leave her "pollitos" even if it meant we would all be under a bridge.  But together we would stay.  And together we did stay.  You could say, that was mama's fight to the end.  To keep us all together.

As we all moved out and had families of our own, I remember countless times when she was awaken in the middle of the night with some emergency.  And with us, there was always something.  She never said no.  It was as if she was designed to be ready for when her family needed her, she awaited the calls and was willing and able to run to any hospital, any family member, or any state to be of help in anyway she could.  Mama lived for her babies, even when her babies stopped being babies decades ago.  She never stopped asking for us.  She never stopped praying for us. She never stopped waiting for that call that told her she was needed.  Even when she couldn't balance on her own two feet, she thought, when the time came she could still run out that door to rescue us, her babies.

In preparing myself to write this, I started remembering little peculiarities about Mama that are uniquely hers.  Like, she redefined the word "something".  For the rest of her life and I just could not figure out why, she would pronounce it "somesing".   Also, if you had a baby picture you just couldn't figure out who it was, take it to Mom.  It didn't matter if the photo was recent or 50 years old, she knew who that baby was.  Oh, and if you were worried about a big debt that you just couldn't afford right now, she would come out with her famous "La ultima la paga el diablo!"  Or another saying, "Un clavo saca a otro".  When we came home with a broken heart.  You also had to be careful when you complimented Mom on something she was wearing, like pretty new shoes or a bracelet or a charm, because she had the tendency of trying to give it to you.  Ever heard the saying "He would give his shirt off his back".  That was mom, in a nut shell.  Mom believed in sharing what little she had and in helping others.  Whether you were family or not, if you ended up on her front door, suddenly, you had a plate of food and a bed to sleep in.  Oh, and the unsolicited, usually spot on advice on how to solve your problems were part of the package.  But don't get me wrong, if she needed to pull your ears because you messed up, she had no problems getting the job done.  Oh but her cooking was so worth the scolding.

Let's remember that Mom is now with our Lord, Jesus Christ.  She is young, she is beautiful, she is healthy.  Mom was well known for her beauty and her temper.  Just imagine her with her loved ones. With her parents and grandparents, with our adorable niece Orlaida, her beloved daughter Lillian and unforgettable son Nano.  I can just see Mom, grabbing random angels and making them sit and listen to her go on and on about her children.  Sometimes divulging embarrasing information along the way.  Her sense of boundaries were sometimes questionable.  But we all know, she meant well.

I am not saying anything most of you don't already know.  Perhaps some of you will have better stories of Mom or times you shared together.  And that is wonderful.  That is what we are here for to celebrate the time the Lord graced us to spend with our Guardian Angel, our Queen Bee.   A woman also known as Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Cousin, Counselor, Advocate, Good Neighbor-Friend and Father.  These are all the titles that she earned throughout her life.  And the only titles that really meant "somesing" to her.

Thank you.

65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers) United States Army

The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Borinqueneers" (a combination of Borinquén and Buccaneer), was an all-volunteer Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army.  Its motto was Honor et Fidelitas, Latin for Honor and Fidelity.  It participated in World War I (actually having the distinction of firing the the first shot of that war) , World War II, the Korean War; and as the combined battalion with the 92nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, PRARNG, in the War against Terrorism and Operations Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom. "Puerto Ricans have participated in every major American military conflict, from the American Revolution, when volunteers from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico fought the British in 1779 under the command of General Bernardo de Gálvez (1746 -1786), to the present-day conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan."  Wikipedia  

The regiment first became the "The Porto (Puerto) Rico Regiment" in 1898 and served in World War I.  It also saw active duty in World War II but it was it's involvement in the Korean War which brought about most of it's casualties and even a mass court martial of nearly one hundred of it's soldiers.  This disgrace was later cleared up and all those involved were pardoned by the then Secretary of Army Robert Stevens but I am getting ahead of myself; let me tell you of the early formation of this most remarkable battalion first.

When it was first commissioned by the U.S. Congress, through The Army Appropriation Bill on March 2, 1889; it was to consist of native Puerto Rican infantry men and "continental" officers.  The term "continental" meant men that were from the continental United States, non-natives and therefore non-spanish speaking officers.  On June 30, 1901, the "Porto (Puerto) Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry" was organized and with it the foundation of  complications which let to its tragic casualties in Korea and subsequent reassignment to the 92 Infantry Brigade fifty-five years later. 

Puerto Ricans of the 65th Infantry were subjected to segregation and discrimination because they were considered of a mixed race by their superiors. An Act of Congress, approved on May 27, 1908, reorganized the regiment as part of the "regular" Army.  Since the native Puerto Rican officers where Puerto Rican citizens and not U.S. citizens, they were required to under go a new physical examination to determine their fitness for the commissions in the Regular Army and to take an oath of U.S. citizenship with their new officers oath. This new physical examination was in addition to any regular training taken by any other "continental" officer.  And to require a U.S. citizenship oath, at a time when U.S. citizenship was still not granted to us, was literally forcing the recruit to give up his native citizenship.

Confidence in these new recruits; even after being put to use in the Panama Zone during World War I & II and successful campaigns in Naples-Fogis, Central Europe and the Battle of Rhineland, was not very high.  So an exercise (OPERATION PORTEX) was conceived whereas Vieques would be defended by the 65th Infantry Regiment against the combined forces of the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.  The liberators (American Forces) consisted of 32,600 combat troops from the 82nd Airborne Division's 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment and Marine Corps, who received support from the Navy and Air Force.  Despite the large number of troops deployed, the 65th Infantry (the aggressor) was able to halt the offensive forces on the beaches of the island. Colonel Willliam W Harris, the commanding officer of the 65th, stated:

     "Stopping the assault forces at the water's edge proved that the Puerto Ricans could hold their own against the best-trained soldiers that the United States Army could put into the field."  Wikipedia

The success of Operation PORTEX propelled the Army to deploy the 65th Infantry Regiment to Korea.

The Boriqueneers were lethal in their encounters with the Koreans, and later the Chinese, who entered the war on the side of the Koreans.  One of the first documented acts of bravery was when the U.S. Marines withdrew from the Chosin Reservoir and were surrounded by the Chinese close to the Manchurian Border, it was the 65th Infantry that went in to help them get out and kept the rear guarded enabling the Marines to escape to safety.  This encounter and others like it at Outpost Kelly and Jackson Heights, gave distinction and honor to many of the 65th Infantry.

As the war pressed on and the inability to communicate with their superiors continued, the 65th Infantry Regiment, suffers a great amount of casualties and a hundred and sixty-two are arrested for refusing to fight.  Ninety-Five are court martial and Ninety-One are found guilty.  The Army at first kept quiet over the affair but once information got out through soldier's letters to their families, the Army began secret negotiations with the government of Puerto Rico.  That is where information on the mistreatments inflicted by the officers which included the denial of special rations of rice and beans, not being allowed to call themselves "Borinqueneers", ordered to shave of their mustaches (an important symbol of maleness), combat exhaustion and other humiliations, came to light and is believed have contributed to some men refusing to fight.  Mind you, Puerto Ricans were not the only ones refusing to fight but were the only ones court martiaedl.  That is where Secretary of the Army Robert Stevens moved quickly to remit the sentences and granted clemency and pardons to all those involved.

As a consequence of these court martials, the 65th Infantry Regiment was integrated and infused into the 92nd Infantry Brigade. 

On February 12, 1951, the great General Douglas MacArthur was quoted in Tokyo saying the following:

     "The Puerto Ricans forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry on the battlefields of Korea... are writing a brilliant record of achievement in battle and I am proud indeed to have them in this command.  I wish that we might have many more like them."   Wikipedia

I sure am proud of finding information on these proud and hardy men who sacrificed their lives for me and mine.  I thought it would be neat to show some of these brave men's hard fought for metals.  Below are some of the medals earned by the Borinqueneers in Korea:

Individual awards in Korean War

Distinguished Service Cross 10

Silver Star 256

Bronze Star 606

Purple Heart 2,771

Aqui Se Habla Moreno (Moreno is Spoken Here)

My Dad, Benigno Echevarria Rodriguez, also known as Benny, is a funny character. Raised in the old ways, with old fashioned values, he still finds a way to find humor and keep things up to date.

I decided to come visit my Dad in Puerto Rico and have him meet my Fiancé, Israel Lopez. They both hit it off magnificently since they are both jokers.  Dad immediately declared that Israel is Morenito. In this sense, he was simply stating that he liked him.

Now the word moreno, is the Spanish word for dark skinned.  Israel is not dark skinned, this is not the point.  My Dad uses it in a totally different way.  He uses it if you are misbehaving, dark skinned, of questionable character or taste,  you could be a good person or involved in an illegal or immoral activity.  He laughs it off but those that know him know that there is a deep rooted reason for his use of this word.  My Dad is racist.

It doesn't matter that Grandpa Hipolito, his father, was high yellow black.  Dad is jabao himself and has always made comments when darkies are around.  Benny has a bad habit of calling most people here on the island moreno; they assure me they don't mind when I scold him, but I still worry that someone will take offense and hurt him.  You see, Daddy is 81 years old and frail.

Being in his 80's didn't stop him from opening another Zapateria and re-establishing himself in his old profession.  Don't put your nose up, my Dad raised 15 kids (6 Antonia's, 4 Mery's and 5 His) repairing shoes.  He never stopped working.  He puts me and many others to shame.

Getting back to Benny's "moreno" ways.  When Israel informed him that I had stated I would be getting a life insurance policy out on him, since he is so accident prone, Daddy simply looked at him and stated "make sure you also name me as a beneficiary."  I almost fell out of my chair laughing!  This was on the first day that they met! 

I have no idea how my Dad did not disown me when I married my children's father who happened to be both Black and Cuban.  That is what you call a double no-no in Benny's world.  But I am his only daughter and Daddy is one of those rare men that love daughters.

And finally with that in mind, Dad used his moreno charms and made me an offer I could not refuse and I am now relocating to Puerto Rico.  It seems to me that all is falling into place.  I have been advocating Statehood for my island for 2 years now, my genealogy work is mostly here and which better place to take care of business than in the heart of the matter?  After almost 50 years, I am back in Puerto Rico.  I am finally home.

moreno(a) = dark skinned
zapateria - Shoe Repair Shop
darkies = slang for colored.
high yellow black = a black person that has white blood and therefore light skinned black.
jabao = a black person so light skinned that you can't tell they are black.
Antonia = 1st Wife
Mery = 2nd Wife

Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

There are some songs that are so poetic and profound that they are meant to be discussed in length, as is the song I am now going to post here and translate.  I hope you enjoy its lyrics and find it as truthful and poignant as I did.  Ricardo Arjona is of Guatemalian descent, a talented singer/song writer who writes about social injustices.  A former teacher and basketball player in his homeland.  He has been in the music scene since 1985; this song was released in 1996.

Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

(If the North Where the South)

Artist: Ricardo Arjona

Album: Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

El Norte, sus McDonald's, basketball y Rock n' Roll

[The North, with its McDonald's, basketball and Rock n' Roll]

Sus topless, sus Madonas y el abdomen de Stallone

[It's topless (bars), it's Madonnas and the abdomen of Stallone]

Intelectuales del bonceados, eruditos de supermercado

[Intellectuals of tanning, scholars of the supermarket]

Tienen todo pero nada han pagado

[Have everything but have paid for nothing]

Con 18 eres un niño para un trago en algún bar

[At 18, you are a child for a drink at any bar]

Pero ya eres todo un hmbre pa' la guerra y pa' matar

[But, you are already a grown man for war and to kill]

Viva Vietnam y que viva Forest Gump

[Long Live Vietnam and Long Live Forrest Gump]

Viva Wall Street y que viva Donald Trump

[Long Live Wall Street and Long Live Donald Trump]

Viva el Seven Eleven

[Long Live Seven Eleven]

Polvean sus nariz y usan jeringa en sus bolsillos

[Dust their nose and use syringes in their pockets]

Viajan con Marihuana para entender la situación

[They travel with Marijuana to understand the situation]

De este juez del planeta que lanza una invitación

[Of this judge of the planet which sent forth an invitation]

Cortar se lo a tú marido y ganarás reputación

[Cut it off your husband (as in Lorena Bobbit) and you will earn a reputation (become famous)]

Coro:

[Chorus]

Las barras y las estrellas se adueñan de mi bandera

[The stripes and stairs are overpowering my flag]

Y nuestra libertad no es otra cosa que una ramera

[And our liberty is nothing more than a whore]

Y si la deuda externa nos robo la primavera

[And if the external debt robbed us of our spring]

Al diablo la geographia se acabaron las fronteras

[To the Devil with geography, the borders are no more]

Si el Norte fuera el Sur, los Sioux los marginados, 
[If the North were the South, the Sioux would be the ones marginalized,]


ser moreno y chaparrito sería el look mas cotizado.
[being brown (mixed) and short would be the look most desired]


Marco sería el Rambo Mexicano y Cindy Crawford la Menchú de mis paisanos, 
[(Subcommander) Mark (Leader of the Zapatista Movement) would be the Mexican Rambo and Cindy Crawford the (Rigoberta) Menchú (Activist) of my countrymen]


Reagan sería Somosa.
[(Ronald) Reagan would be (Anastasio) Somosa (Marxist)]


Fidel sería una atleta corriendo bolsas por Wall Street.

[Fidel (Castro) would be an athlete running bags for Wall Street]

Y el Ché hara hamburguesas al estilo Double Meat.

[And Che (Guevarra) (Revolutionary Rebel) would be flipping hamburgers to the order of Double Meat]

Los yankees de mojados a Tijuana.

[The yankees (Americans) wetbacks to Tijuana]

Y las balsas de Miami a la Habana, si el Norte fuera el Sur.

[The floats from Miami to Havana, if the North were the South]

Seríamos igual o tal vez un poco peor

[We would be the same or perhaps a little worst off]

Con las Malvinas por Groenlandia

[The Falkland Islands by Greenland]

Y en Guatemala un Disneylandia

[And in Guatemala a Disneyland]

Y un Simón Bolivar rompiendo su secreto

[And a Simon Bolivar breaking his secret]

Ah les va el 187, fuera a los yankees por decreto

[Oh, there goes the 187, outcast the yankees (Americans) by decree]

Coro:  2 X

[Chorus] 2 X

Si el Norte fuera el Sur, sería la misma porqueria

[If the North were the South, it would be the same rubbish]

Yo cantaria un Rap y esta canción no existiría.

[I would be singing Rap and this song would not exist]

Once again, thank you Wikipedia for information on these comparisons; www.musica.com/letras.asp?letra-93672 for the lyrics; Google Translate for help with the translations; Yours Truly for translating the song to English; and Ricardo Arjona for this inspiring creation.

The Influence of Your Name

Most people go around their whole lives not knowing that the significance of their name has a great bearing on who they are and who they will become.  There are whole libraries dedicated to the etymology (study of origins of words) and onomastics (study of proper names) research of names.  I am a true believer that a strong name develops a strong individual.  With this in mind, I have researched the names of those in my extended family, since we are numerous enough to nicely fill in a page; I will ask that you patiently go down the list.  I hope this is a blessing to my family individually and collectively.

Our matriarch, Antonia, a very strong name indeed.  It means Praiseworthy and Priceless.  The Queen Bee of the Family.  Very appropriate.  Very popular in Greece and Italy; of Spanish and English origin.

Next comes our second mother, Aida.  She is the eldest of us eleven.  The one who took it upon herself to care and watch over us as we multiplied around her.  I could never be able to tell her how much I truly love and appreciate her.  Aida means Helper, Happy Bearer and Wealthy.  It is mostly found in Latin America, of Spanish, French, Italian and English origin.

Lillian is no longer with us.  Extremely bright and beautiful.  We lost our dear sister in 1994,  a victim of her own vices.  She is sorely missed.  Lillian is a blend of Lilli and Ann.  Of English Origin.

Now the third child Marilyn, she is quite a character.  Prone to exaggerating every single little thing and lives in constant dramatization of her life and those around her.  Marilyn means descendant of Mary and is derived of the name Mary; which means "wished for child."   Origin: Israeli, Hebrew and English.

Edwin's name is quite interesting.  It means Prosperous Friend, Rich in Friendship or Happy Friend.  He certainly has lived his life with gusto.  It is of English and German origin.

Vernon.  Now his name does fit him quite well.  Vernon means, Youthful and Young at Heart, Alder Tree Grove; an Aristocratic name brought fought to England from Normandy.  Vernon has always had a smile on his face and laughter has always followed him around.  Found largely in Latin America; of French and English origin.

Now, Juan, spanish for John, was truly a wonderful surprise.  I had no idea it meant "God is Gracious" and a "Gift from God."  I can't wait to tell my brother.  He needs to hear this now.  Mostly found in Spanish countries; Juan is of Hebrew origin.

Benigno is a derivative of Benign which means Good.  Also found it to mean Friendly and Kind.  I love my brother Benny, he is truly kind and very intelligent. The first of the Echevarrias.  The head of our clan.  Origin: Italy.

Elvis means Wise and Sage.  Elve wise; belonging to the Elves.  My brother Elvis is one of those complicated souls, and I will leave it at that!!  Of Scandinavian origin.

Gladys has several meanings and it really depends where you look which meaning you will find.  Feminine name from the Welsh name Gwladus or Gwladys which bears the meaning of Royalty or Rulers.  Of Welsh origin,  it seems to mean Territorial Ruler, as in Royalty and Princess.  On the flip side, if associated with Claudia or Claud it would take a whole other meaning as in Lame.  That one I never liked and am happy to have continued researching the name and found the one meaning Royalty.  That one I like.  :)

William means Protector.  Funny, I always thought it meant Willful, as in Will I Am, and I was hoping to bring that to my brother's attention.  But it was not to be and once again my dear little brother navigated under my radar and was not to be scolded.  William is quite the Protector and his name is quite fitting.  It is of German and English origin.

And finally our baby brother, Ismael which means the "Lord will Hear" and "God Listens."  I had no idea.  Ish is truly blessed and we have all cuddled and loved him throughout his life.  Of Israeli, Hebrew and Spanish origin.

All these wonderful names.  All these beautiful blessings we are not reaping. Everyone should look up and live up to their name.  There is power in your name. Harvest it.

Research and Information taken from  www.meaning-of-names.com/ and Wikipedia (Gladys(given name)).