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As much as we hate to admit it, Americans love to stereotype.  We have so many different cultures it is difficult to overlook the obvious sometimes.  But often we wait for a comedian to take the pleasure of making fun of what is blatantly in our face on a daily basis.  It breaks that uncomfortable silence for everyone so even those who are being stereotyped are laughing along with the comedian as well.   This is what comedians do.  And this is my latest observation.

So today, as we were sitting in a brainstorming session at the Mexican food restaurant, my son points out the hand drawn picture of a margarita on a sheet of paper taped to the wall.  It's clear that one of the children drew it with a set of markers, probably between serving us at our table (cute children).  As we were discussing ideas for this next week, we could hear the hum of the two televisions running in the brightly colored room.  Jackie Chan was on one television kicking up a storm and had quite a handsome Mexican accent going on.  On the other television was a soccer game. 

Our waitress spoke very good Spanglish so it was easy to dialogue with her.  As I looked around the room I realized that on the bar was a large statue of a very anatomically correct bull.  It seemed alarming at first but after looking around and seeing the pictures of Mary, the large crosses and chickens it suddenly felt like Mexico.  I wondered if their budget didn't allow for real pictures of Margaritas.  Or perhaps the purpose for a dry erase board was due to their following the Dave Ramsey plan to a "T".  I then wondered if the beef mixture on our Nachos was real beef.  I quickly dismissed the thought. 

I really have a heart for the Latino population.  I always have.  I don't quite understand everything about their culture but I am quite certain they feel the same about us.  I noticed that every morning on my way to work I pass several from the same neighborhood walking to work.  I'm actually not certain where they are walking to because they disappear at a certain point.  Nevertheless, they sometimes carry little bags so I am assuming it's their lunch bags.  I looked at Micah the other day while we were in the car together and I told him how badly I felt for all they had to go through here and he looked at me with all sincerity and said, "Mom, have you ever seen a homeless Mexican?"

In any case, I am quite certain the reason is because they have the incredible ability to pull off the proverbial sardine in a can. Have you ever seen a family of four Latinos in a house?  No, they know family and they live it quite well.  They are good Catholics and spend their lives devoted to God.  They spend time with each other often.  They celebrate even small events as family.  They often don't feel welcome by those of us who aren't Hispanic but they don't try to change who they are to fit in, like we do. We may stereotype and may not understand everything that they do, but I am quite certain we also give them a lot to laugh about on a daily basis. I still feel the same way about those who have moved here from Mexico just as I feel the same about those who have moved here from Europe, Asia or anywhere else.  And to them I say, "Welcome home".