A Little Help -- Please

[hoppybunn]

In all honesty I just moved to ABQ about 6 months ago and haven't come across any negative events yet in regards to race (I am Native American), it is true though that the majority of the population here is Hispanic and that you definitely don't see as many blacks out here (I grew up in NY/CT) but as other posters have said it doesn't attract much attention. There is a little tension I have noticed between the Natives and whites though (down in Santa Fe I spend time hanging out with the Natives on the Plaza selling their jewelery, they really don't like ignorance towards their culture), but it's pretty much harmless. Heck I attended the Gathering of Nations this past April and I saw a black guy totally decked out in Native clothing and it was pretty cool I mean if he's embracing our culture what is there to hate about that? If you are looking to move out here it's a nice place to live if you move to the right areas within the city (do your research beforehand) the majority of the people I have met (of all different races) have been nothing but pleasant.

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

It is your kind of stories Chowhound that people bring with them when they come to Albuquerque. As a white conservative male in Albuquerque, I have never felt too much hate from Hispanics. Hispanics and Whites really do mesh really well in Albuquerque (lets face it Mexican, Hispanics, and Whites are pretty hard to distinguish if their is any interracial minglings). So people like Chowhound are so used to these Hispanic Gang Bangers from where they come that when they get to New Mexico they don't realize that the majorities of Mexican-Americans/Hispanics are really quality members of society. MOST illegals in New Mexico are actually hard working people who stay at lower end jobs and while a small few have to create an extremely negative image with Gangs and Drugs. This kind of bs is what pisses me off...it only takes one jackass to f*** over one persons impression of an entire race.

***Chowhound I just wanted to make sure that you understood that most Hispanics in New Mexico are not at all like these P.O.S. Gang-Bangers that try to ruin everything and are so destructive--we have them, but they are the exception, not the rule.

I like you, lean towards the conservative side and am also white male. I personally have never felt any racism from hispanics here in So Cal. I was just commenting on a lot of the stories that I've been hearing lately. I don't want to come off as anti-hispanic. I, as a matter of fact have a mexican girlfriend. I wanted to also comment on illegal alien thing, while I don't condone illegal immigration, there is a part of me that totally understands their plight if I was in their shoes I'd probably make a run for the border myself. Most of these people just want to make a better life for them and their families and are hard working people.

[WasSoggyInSeattle]

I have a question for hoppybunn (& any others that want to chime in) - Hoppy, as a Native American, how DO you feel about non-Native Americans wanting to dress in native clothing, wanting to live in 'pueblo' homes that aren't really pueblo's, etc? Do you feel slighted by that or do you feel like they are truly trying to embrace your culture?

I'm as white as they come (glow in the dark white) but LOVE everything Native American, especially in the SW. But while we were there I just wandered how the Native People felt about all of us "whites" trying to imitate them - building pueblo-style homes, NA arts/crafts that we are buying just for the aesthetic purposes, not necessarily for the more meaningful reasons behind the pieces, etc.

I don't know if this is making much sense or if its just ramblings, but I was just curious about it.

[ABQConvict]

I'm not Native American but I have an anecdote to share. A friend of mine who is from Jemez Pueblo says it gets under his skin when whites 'appropriate' Native American spirituality/religion. After all, if people reject the triune god they have their own indigenous religions to go to.

I think any culture disapproves of the exploitation of their culture, for example, non-indians making and selling Native American style jewelry and crafts.

Personally, I don't see a problem with anyone using regionally adapted building techinques (adobe) but adobe style frame houses are just dumb and I (like most Albuquerqueans/Santa Feans) live in one.

ABQConvict

[hoppybunn]

Originally Posted by SoggyInSeattle

I have a question for hoppybunn (& any others that want to chime in) - Hoppy, as a Native American, how DO you feel about non-Native Americans wanting to dress in native clothing, wanting to live in 'pueblo' homes that aren't really pueblo's, etc? Do you feel slighted by that or do you feel like they are truly trying to embrace your culture?

I'm as white as they come (glow in the dark white) but LOVE everything Native American, especially in the SW. But while we were there I just wandered how the Native People felt about all of us "whites" trying to imitate them - building pueblo-style homes, NA arts/crafts that we are buying just for the aesthetic purposes, not necessarily for the more meaningful reasons behind the pieces, etc.

I don't know if this is making much sense or if its just ramblings, but I was just curious about it.

Honestly it doesn't bother me that much I mean adobe homes are beautiful and I can see why people would want to adapt their homes to look as such. I also don't have a problem with people wanting to dress in traditional clothing, it's their choice. What DOES bother me though is when people try to act like they know everything about OUR culture, or the jewelery/art vendors (who are white) that sell our wares act like they made it themselves. So there is a difference I think in adapting some of the lifestyles (such as adobe homes/dress) and those who are trying to actually be a member of a tribe and wanting to date any Native for that purpose (I have an uncle who is white who is just like that). As far as the jewelery goes honestly I don't think they care for what purpose you buy it for especially since you bring about business that lets them feed their families they're more often than not grateful of such. The fact that you appreciate their wares is a good thing to many. I mean though I can't really complain too much (except against those that are blatantly prejudiced) because it's a huge difference from how we used to be treated when we were all driven out of our homes. It does get annoying though when out-of-towners are like "Are you Indian?" or "Do you live on the reservation." I went to school in the Northeast and I was in a Native American literature class at Uconn and this girl actually asked "Do all the Indians who live on reservations still dress in buckskin and hunt buffalo with bows and arrows?" I just wanted to die in my seat lol. But yeah so the gist is basically sure we don't really mind the whole "Native" culture that others have adapted into as long as it doesn't interfere with how we ourselves actually practice our culture. Just don't expect to get answers regarding religion or anything that we keep amongst ourselves and our families

[mortimer]

ABQConvict stated:

> ... adobe style frame houses are just dumb ....

Why do you say that?

You like adobe style, when really made with adobe, but not superior modern technology even when the end result looks similar?

Actually, the term I've heard is correct is pueblo (revival) style, but the terms are pretty much used interchangeably it seems to me.

I like the look here in NM. It blends in with the landscape really well.

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by mortimer

ABQConvict stated:

> ... adobe style frame houses are just dumb ....

Why do you say that?

You like adobe style, when really made with adobe, but not superior modern technology even when the end result looks similar?.

Well, I argue that modern framing with dimentional lumber (2x4, 2x6, etc.) is inferior both to adobe and timber-framing. Adobe's thermal properties just make more sense in an environment with temperature extremes. But this is a problem I have with the material and technique, not the style, per se. To me, framing with dimentional lumber is dumb whether it's pueblo-revival, colonial, or a Cape Cod. It came into popularity and ultimately replaced traditional building due to the efficiency in building the house, not living in it.

Originally Posted by mortimer

I like the look here in NM. It blends in with the landscape really well.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Maybe we build with wood here because of our abundant forests and lack of dirt. ;-)

ABQConvict