A Portrait of the Mexicans

What would the American subscriber observe if he were to read of a Mexican author's desire to quantity up the United States in a " undivided concept," in one "idea"? Would not much(prenominal) an American reader come to the conclusion that the writer was presumptuous on twain method of accountings? In the first place, no democracy or civilisation can be summed up in a single concept or idea. Even the simplest nuance would defy such a simplistic effort, and Mexico is not a simple burnish. In the second place, how could a non-American presume to be able to make at such a summarization of American culture? Therefore, it appears that while ride has set for himself an ambitious task, which deserves praise, the nature of that emulation seems to be based on arrogance at best, and a kind of quasi-racism at worst. The assumptions of the author with respect to the "black muddle" single concept of Mexico lead the reader to consider if it is impossible for a man from the developed world (born in Brazil, Riding is an Englishman educated in England) to deal with a Third humanity country with all the respect it deserves and requires if that nation is to be rattling under(a)stood. In either case, it is absolutely preposterous to believe that any(prenominal) nation or culture can be modify to such a degree that it can be stand for by a single idea or concept.

Having naturalised what this reader sees as the essentially paternalistic attitude of the author, it moldiness be added quickly that Riding does present

Riding's work might be compared to Omar Cabezas' account of a life among the Sandinistas, Fire From the mountain, in order to better record both books and to see the limitations and assets of each. Riding, whatever his ambitions, gives us a cautious overview of Mexico and its history and development. Because of its essentially conservative viewpoint, Riding's book does little to explore the revolutionary spirit which underlies much of the discontent of the poor stack of Mexico.

Riding's book is profitable precisely if we read it in companionship with more knowing and radical works, such as Cabezas' account of revolution in Nicaragua.

Riding's work gives us a broader historical context than is provided by Cabezas, but when it nears the heart of the culture, and the soul of the wad of that culture, the reader will do well to remember the biases under which Riding struggles.

Riding has little to say about revolution, turn out for the 1910 Revolution, and concludes the book with a declaration which seems to imply that, after all, the Mexican people are fairly well pleased with the "originality" of their nation and their government, despite the fact that there are large amounts of degeneracy and abuse in that "originality." Riding writes in this context that "Mexico's greatness, at times hidden, lies waiting to be uncovered, but it can only prosper in its own context. Thus, Mexicans felt comfortable with the strategy when it was peculiarly Mexican, with its mixture of authoritarianism and paternalism, or cynicism and idealism, of conciliation and negotiation. barely if it loses its originality, if it loses its national identity, it loses its way" (p. 371).

a great deal of useful material for the reader who seeks to know about the diverse culture of Mexico---without seriously believing that he will in any way be apprised of that ridiculous "single concept."

Riding, Alan. (1989). Distant neig
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