Sam Speaks

The Smithsonian: “It’s Time for a Latino Museum in Washington”

September 2007

Sam is in this particular line of work because he believes that two of the most significant demographic trends in the world are taking place in North America, specifically between Mexico and the United States. The figures are, by now, well known to most pundits: over 27 million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in the US and over 1 million US citizens in Mexico. Most of Sam’s efforts are spent explaining Mexico to the latter group, but he believes that both phenomena are aspects of a mutually beneficial integration process that is deeper and more significant than either country yet understands. It is with that in mind that your idealistic correspondent went to Washington to attend the Smithsonian Latino Center’s “¡Con Sabor!” annual gala, this year honoring the cultural contributions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

Sam Goes to Washington

It turns out that the American capital’s most venerable cultural conglomerate, the Smithsonian Institution, wants to add a 17th museum to its list, which includes such gems as the National Portrait Gallery and the Air and Space Museum. The Smithsonian Institution receives 23 million visitors per year and it wants more of them to get to know America’s Latinos. According to the words of special guest Senator Ken Salazar, "the time is now to move forward with a Latino museum."

In order to fulfill this lofty vision, the Smithsonian began in 1997 with what they call an “outreach” program called “Latino Center.” Over the years they have coordinated numerous events across the organization’s multiple venues, showcasing Latino culture in the United States. As of this year, the Center has gotten a boost from the first acting director of Latin American descent of the Smithsonian Institution. Cristián Samper, who grew up in Colombia, cuts an imposing figure with charm and geeky gravitas. And, because he is responsible for the entire Institution, he is an effective Latino ambassador.

Who Are These People?

It is an old debate: “Latino” vs. “Hispanic” vs. hyphenated-American. The terms encompass so many different people and races that it is often too vague. In the US they can refer to Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens by birth; black, white, and mestizo Cuban-Americans; Central Americans; Mexican-Americans; southern-cone Americans; etc., many of whom are in the country illegally. In general, it means that they have some sort of cultural heritage tied to the Iberian Peninsula. Despite this Spanish root, however, “Latino” is often preferred to “Hispanic” (as is the case at the Smithsonian) because many are wary of Spain and Portugal’s colonial legacy. The curious thing is that “Latin” American came to be used at the insistence of France (Napoleon III), which was wary of “Iberoamerica” because it still had imperial designs on the continent. The French see themselves as “Latin,” and the reference to “Iberia” would have excluded them.

So, Is “Latino” Correct?

Sam believes that Mexican-Americans, who make up fully 60% of Latinos, ought to promote their own unique cultural heritage. This because of their intertwined historical relationship with the United States (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado and parts of Utah and Wyoming used to belong to their ancestral homeland), their sheer numbers, and the wealth of Mexican culture. Nevertheless, by the time you make it up the East Coast to Washington, D.C. (largest Latino minority: Salvadoran), the Mexican distinctiveness begins to fade and umbrella terms become more useful. In this particular case “Latino,” as a catch-all moniker, has Sam’s vote.

"It's very prestigious and honorific and all those big words." One of the activities that have become an annual event is the Latino Legacy awards, which this year went to Mexicans and Mexican-Americans who have contributed to America’s cultural legacy. When given his award, Cheech Marín uttered those classic words cited above to describe what turned out to be a very uplifting and emotional ceremony.

Of course, after the angry, xenophobic, and often racist venting that was a staple of the ill-fated immigration reform debate, there was bound to be an atmosphere of solidarity among successful Mexican-Americans. León native Columba Bush, wife of former Florida Governor Jeb and sister-in-law to President Bush, had no qualms about being faithfully both American and Mexican. Said Mrs. Bush, "We are here because we truly care about Latino culture…y por supuesto, ¡que viva Mexico!" (Long live Mexico!)

Other recipients included the San José, California, band “Los Tigres del Norte,” Hollywood staple Arturo Ripstein, New York-based Mexican architect Enrique Norten (who was on the jury for the World Trade Center Site Memorial) and many other cultural worthies. Raúl Yzaguirre, head of the National Council of La Raza for 30 years, received a Lifetime Achievement Award. It was especially interesting to see this warrior for working-class Mexicans, heir, in part, to the César Chávez “resistance” school of social vindication, soften with wisdom and a dignified humility. "Today," he said, "I am a convert. I no longer see art and culture as the playthings of the leisure classes...I now know that our souls need nourishment." He got a standing ovation.

Mexico itself was also very well represented. Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, with his impeccable English, delivered a dignified speech. His staff, including Mexican Cultural Institute head Juan García de Oteyza, did an excellent job of giving some artistic meat to the Latino Center’s exhibitions. Special mention should also be made of Monterrey nativecum- New York-socialite philanthropist Yolanda Santos, who impressed the crowd with her Monterrey Ballet modern dance troupe at the beginning of the ceremony. Lastly, no fundraiser would be complete without corporate sponsorships, including the Anheuser-Busch Companies, “Poder” Magazine, Ford Motor Company, Wal-Mart, and a bevy of other organizations with an eye for Latino purchasing power.

It’s Time

This year’s “Con Sabor” gala took place at the Museum of the American Indian, on the National Mall, and there is an African-American Museum in the works. It is true that the large-scale “latinization” of the United States has been a relatively recent phenomenon, but the history of American Soutwest is impossible to understand without Mexico and Mexicans. Other Latino groups have played significant roles in large parts of the rest of the United States, including Florida and New York. Judging by demographic trends, America’s future will be even more intertwined with its Latino minority. All of this points to the fact that it is time for a Latino museum to showcase the fastest-growing, most culturally vibrant, minority in America. Kudos to Latino Center head Pilar O’Leary and her team for doing so much to make it happen.

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