Restrengthening the Irish-Latino links

For a small country without a history of conquest, the Irish do certainly get around. Of course, the chief reason most left and still leave the island was and is for economic reasons. Ireland has only ever been able to sustain a certain number; whether it could or should be able for a greater population doesn't concern us here for now.

Understandably enough, other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada and the USA are the popular go-to locations. Yet, Paddy doesn't limit himself to just those places. There aren't many spots on the globe in which he hasn't set foot.

President Michael D. Higgins arrives in Colombia.

In terms of Latin America, the Irish links here are relatively strong, as we've written about on previous occasions (see With O'Leary in Bogotá and Remembering Casement's Colombian connection). 

What's more, it has been said that the Irish are (or at least were) the Latinos of Europe, be that good, bad or indifferent (somewhat disorganised, left-leaning, former colonies with a happy-go-lucky disposition, something along those lines).

However, it could be argued, anecdotally if in no other way, that these ties have weakened somewhat. Or at least the Irish blood hasn't been as prominent in Latin affairs as it was previously.

Thus, President Michael D. Higgins' historic state visits to Colombia, Cuba and Peru are an opportunity to restrengthen those links.

For one, during his stay in Peru, it was announced that Lima is to open an embassy in Ireland (no word on Dublin returning the 'favour', though).

Here in Colombia, where official relations between the two countries have been almost non-existent through the years,* foreign minister María Ángela Holguín will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Ireland to foster political consultation between both states. 

According to an official statement from the Colombian president's office, this memorandum will act as a declaration to set in motion a cultural and sporting exchange as a way to contribute to social cohesion and consolidate peace. It sounds like a good idea, in theory anyway.

Alongside this, both Michael D. and his counterpart Juan Manuel Santos are to discuss potential investment opportunities, as well as business and tourism promotion. As part of the latter, perhaps the Irish delegation will consider removing the tedious tourist visa requirement for Colombians who want to visit Ireland?

On that front, President Higgins spoke about Ireland being "a bridge to Europe for Colombians", during his keynote address in Bogotá on Monday. Eh, Colombians can rightly question, why bother to attempt to cross a dodgy bridge when there's an easier direct route?

We can also ask the question, bearing in mind Colombia's strategic location and the fact that Buenos Aires and Mexico City are the only cities in Latin America where Ireland has embassies, is it time one was opened here?

That aside, expect similar political announcements of greater official cooperation to come from Cuba, where the Irish president finishes up this three-country trip.

It's all diplomatic manoeuvring, of course. The success or otherwise of such things depends on the people on the ground. Or getting the actual people on the ground as the case may be.

From an investment-in-Colombia perspective, now might be as good a time as ever to strike. 

For those of us who have called the place home for a while but are still somewhat doubting our futures here, the words of one Irish long-termer are worth noting: 'If you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere.' Perhaps. However, this does beg the question:: 'Do we want to make it here?' It might not be time to run just yet.

*Footnote: Diplomatic relations between Colombia and the Republic of Ireland have only been in place since November 1999.
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The 'extranjero-files' — that is, not a xenophobe

Right, we’re admitting defeat. Or, to put it more correctly perhaps, we’re changing our angle of attack. It’s all to do with the word gringo and our sometimes laborious attempts to ‘correct’ numerous Colombians and other Latinos who refer to us as such. 

You see, for us the word has always referred to English speaking North Americans only (which we obviously are not) and, to be honest, most locals in these parts go along with that.

A bunch of foreigners.

However, at first glance some people here automatically think we’re from the US and hence call us gringo. We generally get a little uptight and politely tell them that we’re not gringos but Irish, so the word ‘extranjero’ (foreigner) is a more accurate label. 

Yet, the ‘g-word’ is theirs (Latinos) and some do use it to describe any foreigner. So in fairness, they can apply it as they see fit.

In terms of accuracy, though, and to avoid, heaven forbid, being mistaken as a Yank, if we are called a gringo in the future we will respond by saying that if you’re using it in its broader all-foreigners sense, fine, but if not, then we must clarify.

Then, of course, many of the people here who do call us gringo or extranjero or whatever are not that far removed from the Old Continent; that's Europe if you will, or more specifically Spain. 

So perhaps the only people here who have a real right to call us any of the above are the true indigenous – they could also call many of the Latinos they now share this land with the same.

In any case, they are just words, so should we really give them as much thought as we’re doing right now? 

Heck, Colombia is a country where the inhabitants regularly call their friends ‘gay’ (marica that is; for more on that see http://bit.ly/18eEfhd) and have no problem referring directly to people by their distinctive features: ‘gordo/gorda’ for a fat person; ‘negro’ for blacks; ‘mono’ for fair haired/skinned people and suchlike.

Supporting minorities.

As a Dutch friend mused, because of many other, real life-or-death problems this country has recently faced (and still does), what might be seen as offensive/racist words in some other places cause little fuss here (for more on not getting too worked up about words, read http://bit.ly/NNg2E8).

What is important in the above, though – and is the case the world over – is how those words are delivered and the actions that thus follow. 

That is to say, is there real meaning to what is uttered? Are they just throwaway, jovial remarks or is there more of, in the case of referring to people’s skin colour and the like, a racist element to it?

It will come as no surprise that we’ve witnessed racism here – you’ll find it in every corner of the globe. Very often it’s directed at the Afro-Colombians and/or the indigenous. That is, those on the peripheries, not generally part of the ruling class. They don’t quite fit in. 

Of course, for different reasons, you’ll also find some anti-US sentiment here which could be considered racist too – even though, politically speaking, Colombia is the most pro-US country in South America.

What might be seen as ironic is that many Latinos, when they depart for the Western world, will encounter discrimination, suspicion and racism aimed at them for no real logical reasons other than that they’re different.* Yet, surrounded in the comfort blanket of their own, they do the same to the minorities in their midst.

At the end of it all, this is our lot ...

This, of course, is a global phenomenon, far from restricted to this region. 

Many Irish see no problem hurling, at the very least, generalisations at immigrants who seek refuge on the island – a practice that often influences government policy – while at the same time expect right of passage wherever they go in the world. 

OK, some will argue this isn’t a racist tendency and more to do with protecting a small, bungling economy but that’s not always the case.

You see at certain times and in certain contexts, we can all be part of the minority, the outsider. We found it interesting to read in a newspaper in Malaysia that they referred to the West as the ‘minority world’ – the ‘haves’ versus the ‘have nots’ that is.

It can be a good practice to think outside your group – try to place yourself with the outcasts from time to time. 

We all have prejudices – it’s part of being human. The trick is trying not to let them unduly and irrationally influence us; easier written than done, of course.

As the saying goes, ‘before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them you’ll be a mile away and you’ll have their shoes.’ And if you’re lucky, they might be the right fit.

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*Things may be changing on this front. Check out Latinos on the rise http://bit.ly/1784NCY for more on that.

You may also want to check out Phantom freedom at http://bit.ly/SOQUl0.

Latinos on the rise

These are, it seems, especially exciting times to be Latino. Once seen as one of the poor relations of the globe – apart from producing world-class soccer players (or footballers if you will) and some pretty tasty lady models – Latino land is making itself and its people heard on other fronts of late.

Pope Francis — bigger than Jesus.

The most obvious and celebrated of these has been the election of Argentina’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio, or now known simply as Pope Francis, as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Not only is he the first Latino to take up this position – it’s not important that Argentina is seen by many as the most European country in this part of the world – but he’s the first from all of the Americas as well as the first from the Southern Hemisphere.

Now, as momentous an occasion as it has been made out to be, perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised considering that South America is home to what’s believed to be almost 300 million Catholics, making it the most Rome-led region on the planet (how that actually manifests itself is something different as we’ve documented before – see http://bit.ly/13VtSAZ). 

When you take that into account, it makes sense that there should be a South American native holding the top job at the Vatican – although, you’re right, sense and the Catholic Church don’t always go hand in hand.

As outwardly important that religion appears to be for many Latinos, perhaps the biggest and most significant rise of this varied group of people can be seen to the north of their homeland – North America to be precise.

As was the case for the Irish Catholic immigrants in the same part of the world up until the early part of the last century, the Latinos/Hispanics in North America, more specifically the USA,* have been looked upon with suspicion and mistrust from the United State’s founding fathers, the WASPs and,** ironically enough, many Irish and Jewish Americans who are now very much part of the country’s fabric.

The discrimination towards them might not have been as obvious as it was to other groups in previous eras, but it certainly has existed.

That, though, is rapidly changing. The similarities with the Irish Americans’ transition from social outcasts to big players in the political and economic worlds are apparent.

Crucial vote. (Picture from ivn.us)

By sheer force of numbers alone the Hispanic vote is something the traditional power holders in the States can no longer ignore – they are due to be the largest voting bloc come the next US presidential election in 2016. 

That’s just counting the documented or ‘legals’ – should some sort of a solution for the undocumented/‘illegals’ be found during President Obama’s final tenure, the numbers of Latino-origin residents in the country would rise considerably. It’s widely accepted that they make up the bulk of the estimated 11 million undocumented in the USA.

As much as we like to think differently, the politicians, or at least their advisers, aren’t stupid. Many US immigrants vote Democrat, so if the Obama administration can fix the undocumented problem, this should ensure that trend is enhanced for some time to come.

Even the traditionally inward-looking Republicans are doing their bit to find favour among the Hispanics. 

The party’s official response to Obama’s State of the Union address earlier this year was given by the Cuban American Florida senator Marco Rubio, with his speech in both English and Spanish. Indeed, Rubio is tipped by many to be a future presidential candidate for the Republicans. A Republican Latino version of JFK perhaps?

It’s not, however, just the power of numbers that have aided the Latino/Hispanic rise. They’ve also shown themselves to be more than capable of mixing it with the best that the US has to offer. 

The typical image of the Spanish speaking cleaner or nanny or general labourer isn’t fitting the narrative as easy as before. No, they’re becoming high-rollers. Again, like the Irish Americans, through hard work and perseverance they are becoming more and more accepted into US society.

The WASPs et al. fears that Hispanics would dilute the vibrant, strong work-ethic culture that made the USA the self-proclaimed greatest country on the planet are being unfounded.  

Pitbull — also bigger than Jesus it seems. (Image from Pitbull's website.)

In fact, from a Colombian American perspective – as we alluded to in ‘Colombia’s dissenters’ (see http://bit.ly/13X1AXb) – many of these immigrants adapt to the prevailing culture pretty well and actually thrive in it. 

Yes, they bring their own Latino colour just as the Irish have ‘greened’ up the place, especially around St Patrick’s Day, but they also bring an appetite for work and success – qualities the first European settlers in North America prided themselves on.

So while the Latino stock is rising outside of their original homeland, what about things inside? Being such a diverse land with many different countries, it’s not something that can be easily summed up. 

However, while many from the Western world may be flocking to the place to escape the ‘misery’ of their lives in the rat-race, a large number of ambitious Latinos still look to leave their homeland to ‘better’ themselves.

In similarity again with the Irish, a good number of Latinos still believe they have a better chance of realising their potential outside of their birthplace. That may be steadily changing, though.

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*For a more detailed account of the terms 'Latino' and 'Hispanic', see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_and_Latino_Americans

**WASPs - 'White Anglo-Saxon Protestants' for any of you who were wondering.

Ireland's calling

A frequent question that travellers or expats get asked by the locals in their new location is, ‘Do you not miss home?’ 

It’s no different here in Colombia – the Latinos' strong sense of family often has many of them scratching their heads as to how some of us Westerners can just take flight indefinitely, seemingly without a care. 

'A few of our favourite things.'

The immediate response then, of course, is that we miss our family and close friends (well, those few who remain in Ireland) – honestly, we do. There are times, though, and these vary, when we long for other, what we’ll term less emotional things. 

So for the time of year that’s in it – the St Patrick’s festival that is (why just celebrate one day when you can make a week or more out of it?) – we’re going to take a look at some of the aspects from Ireland that we miss every now and again. Some of these, as you’ll discover, are purely specific to the old country, others a bit more generic.

Draught Guinness

Can you hear us St. James’s Gate?* Please send over a few kegs of your finest black stout – this ‘draught in a can’ never worked. 

In any case, it’s too expensive to buy here, so we stick to the local beers. They fill the void somewhat, but a proper pint of The Black Stuff from time to time would see us right. There’s a growing market for it here from what we can see (at a reasonable price, that is). You know where to find us. Oh, and in a sop to our Belfast days, a keg of Harp wouldn’t go astray either.

Just not the same in a can.

Seasons

Right, in terms of weather these days, Ireland might only have two seasons – rainy and rainier. But it’s the daylight changes we’re referring to here. This time of year back home is generally a more positive one – yes, even for the Irish – as the days grow longer and a bit warmer and we anticipate the ‘hot’ summer days ahead (we like to dream). Yes, we have to suffer the dark, cold winter nights, but we get through them with the thoughts of the ‘brighter delights’ from May through to September.
 

The yearly sameness in daylight hours and weather (it’s either sun or rain, no more) in this part of the world is a bit stale as far as we’re concerned. This might explain why nothing changes that much, in terms of doing things that is. On the other hand, it may also explain why some of the people are a bit emotionally unstable, to make up for the boring seasonal conditions.

Snow, super snow!

GAA

The old craic and banter of an Irish sporting summer – in terms of our native sports that is, Gaelic football and hurling – is hard to beat. 

Hailing from a mediocre county (Roscommon – no sniggering) in terms of our football prowess means our championship run doesn’t last that long – but there’s always our neighbours Mayo to fill the void of heroic failure that bit longer when our own boys, true to form, tamely exit.
 

We do miss playing as well, of course – the pantomime of the local club championship is where it’s truly at really. We’ve suffered more bad days than good on that front, but it’s all about character-building, right?

'When we were kings'. Well, not quite.

Driving

Not at all specifically Irish this, but it is another thing we miss from the home sod nonetheless, considering it was the last place we drove for any meaningful length of time. 

Spinning along the open road with some good tunes can be a nice way to relax. You just have to avoid other road users, the potholes, cattle and/or sheep, the Gardaí (not that we’d be doing anything illegal, but it’s just good practice to dodge them at all times) and, for your own safety and that of others, the pub.

Grub

As we’ve written about before we have no problem with the food in Colombia,** however, there are a few old Irish staples – preferably cooked by mammy – that you just can’t replicate in these parts. 

Bacon and cabbage for one would certainly go down well on the many rainy Bogotá evenings. Same goes for a hearty Irish stew; although we have experimented with our own meatless version of this and it fills a hole at least – an average alternative, we’ll call it. 

Then there are the tried and tested Sunday roasts – beef, lamb, pork even, with all the extras. Snack wise, some decent brown bread (O’Hara’s of Foxford, your only man!) wouldn’t go astray as well as a good lump of soda bread. Um, guess there’s a reason we’re losing weight these days.

Tasty!

Countryside

Again, it’s not like this doesn’t exist in Colombia – far from it, of course, you’ve some of the best untouched countryside on the planet here. 

However, due to work ‘commitments’, the concrete jungle of the country’s sprawling, smog-filled capital is where we spend the majority of our time right now. So having relatively unrestricted access to wander carelessly (or, when we’re feeling energetic, kick a ball) around the fields and bogs of our home place is something we do miss. As long as, that is, we don’t have to do too much physical work on them.

Home sweet home.

Bookies

Might seem like a strange one, but being able to pop into Paddy P – er, I mean Ladbrokes, the old employer (see the parting screen, below) – on the odd occasion and waste away an hour or so while losing a few euros has left a little gap in our lives. 

Yes, you can gamble anywhere in the world now with the online facilities, but it’s just not the same as handing over your money, usually never to be seen again, in person. 

Plus, a bookmaker (for the uninitiated, this is a place where you can gamble on sports and much more besides) is what you might call a ‘healthy’ buffer between the house and the pub.

Leaving Ladbrokes :-(

Just for the record, Barry’s Tea would have made the list, too, had it not been for a special delivery of same from Ireland in January – plus we were gifted Irish tea last year, too, that kept us tied over on that front. Cheers Podge, David and Olivia – much appreciated!
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*For those wondering, St. James's Gate is the home of Guinness in Dublin — The Black Stuff has been brewed there since 1759.

**As for previous snippets about Colombian food, see 'Six of the best in 2012 (well kind of)' http://bit.ly/VQGxxo & 'Horse it into ya' http://bit.ly/WhbuAE.