Day of the Dead

When I was little, I was always fascinated with the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. We, however, didn't celebrate it, even though we are Spanish. (but we WEREN'T Mexican, said Great Gramma.) Turns out, we might actually BE Mexican. I'm not sure WHY Tutu so vehemently denied being Mexican. It could be, because we really AREN'T. It could be, because a long long time ago, when my gramma was little, and her mother before her was little, it was not a fun thing to be in New Mexico. There was a lot of predjudice against Mexicans there. There was segragation. It could be, that by even if only in words, by separating themselves from being Mexican, my family found dignity in their culture. It could ALSO be, that we really ARE Spanish, as in from SPAIN. It could be, that the census takers, saw a spanish speaking family, with heavy Spanish accents, and being IN New Mexico, and so near Mexico, just WROTE Mexican on their papers. Kind of in the way that many imigrants who came to Ellis Island found themselves with new last names, because the census takers couldn't be bothered to learn what their real ones were. What ever the reason, we didn't DO things that were MEXICAN when Tutu was alive. Because WE were Spanish. Only the census records say we might actually be Mexican. We'll never know for sure, and probably the only people who might understand my great grandmas need to make any sort of distinction, are those who are of a Latino decent, and do not wish for their heritage to be mashed into the one size fits all label that many Latinos find themselves mashed into. The diversity of culture in the Latino community is great.
Day of the Dead, or Dia De Los Muertos, is a holiday that celebrates the LIFE of those who have passed away. I plan to do this in honor of my grandma, who lived life WELL. I'm also taking part in Dia De Bloglandia, a small group of bloggers who will be celebrating Day of the Dead on their blogs as well. Rodrigvitz Style, is the host of this party of sorts, and has some REALLY excellent TUTORIALS for any Gringos who may want to take part! You totally don't have to be ANY form of Latino to celebrate this holiday.

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