What do Mexicans think of Octavia Paz's views?

Question

Im in Mexico and I have to write an essay on the views of mexicans of Octavio Paz. Specifically concerning his beliefc that Mexicans are ashamed of their heritage, are Mexicans lonely, do Mexicans wear masks to hide their insecurity? Of course your answers are all opinionated as were Octavio Paz's views.

Answer 1

Very interesting question. When I read "Octavia" Paz, I was gonna say that I've never heard of her, but then I realized it was a typo. The mexican "nation" is a very complex entity, very difficult to visualize or to make a concept of it. Just think about this, there were several indigenous group before the spanish came, Then, there was this blend between spanish and different ethnic groups. Then, you add up to that all the other immigrants from some other countries, and you have a very complex mix.

We feel proud of our indigenous heritage. We're taught in schools that aztecs and mayans were great; however, when we see pure indigenous mexicans in the streets, we feel ashamed of them. In schools, spaniards are seen as the evil, but most of us long and desire to be europeans.

I think that religion also plays an important role. The catholic religion was blended with local religions, and indigenous mexicans were religious, so this made catholic religion very strong in Mexico. The virgin is seen as the "mother of all mexicans", cause it represents this blending of native mexicans and spaniards. Besides, women have always had an important role in Mexico, and still have. This importance is almost a religious importance.

There's also a deep conformism and mediocrity culture. Most mexicans don't aim for more, don't dream for more, and, well, the consequences are devastating. Most mexicans will feel less if they're compared against other foreigners. They even feel less compared with other mexicans. So, that inferiority complex, that insecurity you're saying, is part of our culture, unfortunately.

I don't really understand my country. I definitely feel like the odd-man-out. Well, think about this, I'm the only one of my friends that's studying a PhD, that has traveled, that speaks four languages, and that has goals in life. And I belong to the educated elite of the country. Think about the rest of them. I'm sad, but I don't see any hope for Mexico.

I think I don't feel ashamed of my heritage, but I think a lot of people feel ashamed of their indigenous, and spanish, heritage. Masks, that's true. Most men will try to behave like real "machos", or drink a lot and do stupid things, but that's only a way to try to overcome their insecurity. A lot of women will try to be kind and nice, but they're also wearing masks.

My purpose is not to generalize, but I mean, I lived there for 28 years, and I've met a lot of people from everywhere in Mexico. I can say that I've found a lot of people with these features. But you know what's the most shameful thing? That people don't wanna change. Mediocrity and corruption are so deeply rooted in Mexico that it is almost impossible to change this. I feel realy sad for my country, but I'm objective, and that's the way things are.  

Answer 2

I've never read Octavio's books, therefore I can't say I have an opinion about his ideas. I rarely read spanish language literature (I'm more into great English fiction). The problem with the mexican "intellectuals" is that they are both hypocrites and at the same time they complain and ***** about the average guy not reading more books, but at the same time the literature they write is something so complex and exclusive that not even a pretty bright person like me gathers much interest in reading those kinds of things.

I've only met 1 person who read those kinds of books like obsessively and it was my former Ethics teacher in HS. He gave us classes twice a week and every week he'd be starting 3 different books (and not tiny books, more like 700 page long loggers about philosophy and politics), quite an amazing and educated chap.

Plus, I'm in med school, the last thing I feel like doing after a long day of travelling at 9 pm is to read a complex book, I just want to discharge my brain for a while and space out.

Oh, and most mexican intellectuals are closet commies. Nuff said.

I do agree about mexicans being ashamed of their indian heritage. You don't see mexicans bothering to learn indian languages at school just for bragging rights. There's very few mexicans that speak indian languages nowadays. They diss and make fun of hating America, but they all secretly wished they were American as if it were the bestest thing ever (I'm half American so I know). Some people treat me badly just because of envy of my citizenship status, it's sad really.

Mexicans are also kind of exclusive to "Mexicans" and everyone else. If you understand the gaijin concept of Japan you'll understand that a similar thing happens here. Mexicans can't accept that someone obtains mexican citizenship by naturalization (except a hot actress like Ludwika Paleta) and then joins a national sports team. Or even worse for the poor sap, becomes a politician. Never become a politician here if you were born in Spain because no matter how much of your life you lived in mexico, people will always rate you second class and a foreign white devil guy because you are a spaniard.