Reading Response #1

After reading Manuel Munoz's essay, "Leave your name at the Border" in Convergences, I'm left to ponder a few thoughts. Munoz talks about identity among Mexicans, when it comes to pronunciation of their names, or even the Anglicization of their names. He uses the example of family members distancing themselves from traditional Mexican names to more Americanized names like Brandon or Kaitlyn.

Why are people replacing their culture with appearance? Munoz states that the perception of Mexicans being lower class illegal immigrants, basically forces them to. For example, his step father changed his name from Antonio to Tony; Not because he wanted to , but because he didn't want to be passed over for work. In a day and age of supposed equal opportunities, it is sad to see such stereotypes still exist. When someone has to actually change their name, and abandon their culture in order to be accepted in our society, what does that say about us?

One thing that surprised me in the article was when Munoz pointed out in a few different occasions when he was shocked to hear a name pronounced correctly, or to see someone still using a traditional Mexican name. They have become so accustomed to people not respecting their culture, or attempting to pronounce their names correctly, that it actually shocks and confused them when someone does.

Another thing I found fascinating was the gate agent, a Mexican woman, at the airport. She called a Mexican man overhead, and he had a traditional Mexican name. He wondered if she would speak to him in Spanish or would she speak loudly to him as if he were deaf, assuming he didn't know English due to his Mexican name he didn't change. Basically, he was wondering since she has a good job and is using make-up to lighten her skin color, if she totally abandoned her heritage. It's sad to think a person has to separate themselves from their background in order to feel accepted by their own society.