The middle class in Baja
I have always been a people watcher. I love to study human behavior.
Understanding and learning about different cultures, what they have in
common and most importantly, their differences have always intrigued me.
Living in San Felipe has and continues to give me an opportunity to see
up close and personal the incremental evolution of generations of
Mexican people. Many of us that have lived here for a number of years
can attest to these subtle and sometimes not so subtle changes. To some
these changes might be imperceptible. It is easy to see things like all
the Pemex Stations that seem to saturate our town. The sudden almost
overnight building of OXXO stores (pronouced "Ox - so" not Hug, kisses,
kisses hug Stores) seems to the Americans as overkill. But this is the
culture in which we have chosen and are blessed to live.
Through it all, I am beginning to see the emergence of a new
economic class of Mexican. The middle class. Not so long ago in the
Mexican culture, there was no such thing as being middle class. A family
was either very poor or very rich. There was not too much room for
anything in between. What is amazing is to compare this with the U.S.
The U.S. is going through its own socioeconomic changes. However, just
the opposite is happening north of the border. The rich that managed to
survive the economic crisis in tact find themselves comparatively
wealthy. While the U.S. middle class for the most part, may find
themselves sliding backwards into a much lower economic strata. The
middle class is almost a thing of the past. The Chasm between the rich
and poor is disappearing. Instead a void has appeared. The culture is
changing before our eyes. Perhaps never to return to its glory days we
all remember not so long ago.
I
have asked myself what would cause such a dramatic change in the
average American and Mexican people’s lives? Even within their
respective cultures? In the case of the U.S. the answer is much simpler
if not more sinister. Greed, bailouts, mismanagement, out of control
spending, partisan politics to name just a few. All of these factors are
of course on the negative side of the scale as it relates to the
economic health of a society as a whole.
Granted there are a few fat cats that were rewarded, are being
rewarded, and will continue to be rewarded by these unfortunate
happenings. However, the culture, the average U.S. family sees only more
economic misery and backsliding in their immediate future. In many
instances, the new generation of Americans don’t have that “eye of the
tiger” mentality and drive as Rocky used to call it. Instead, they have
become tamed, de-clawed, house cats waiting for their next scheduled
feeding of cat chow from some government entitlement program. Some
perhaps may have lost the innate ability to fend for themselves. Their
government has taught them well!
In Mexico the change is much easier to pinpoint and arguably more
positive. These changes are driven not by negative economic
circumstances, as much as by the natural, generational changes within
the family unit. And of course out of necessity. Not too many safety
nets here in Mexico.
As
one generation of Mexican hands off the family business or as the
breadwinner of the family ages, a new mentality makes itself evident.
Perhaps they have seen the need for change for a long while. But due to
the respect shown their elders no changes would be made until the reigns
were officially handed off. Now it is time for this new younger group
to have their hand at making a better life for themselves and their
family. Many are more educated, perhaps more mobile than their parents
and so can take charge of their own destiny. They see opportunity where
their fathers and even their fathers may have only seen obstacles and
roadblocks.
I find it ironic that many opportunities exist now in Mexico due
to the influence of the Americans that have made San Felipe and Mexico
in general their home. Even those Americans that every year choose
Mexico as a prime vacation area have a vital part in the emergence of
this new economic group. Many of the Americans that now call San Felipe
their home are from that disappearing American middle class. Such irony!
A U.S. middle class disappears in the north only to create another
south of the border in Mexico! And they said NAFTA wouldn’t work! Ha!
I find it interesting to see kids going to school dressed in their
clean pressed school uniforms. Many are carrying cell phones and Ipods.
Not so many years ago kids their age would have been at home or
working. Knowing that this was the best they could ever hope to attain.
Their eyes now open, many dare to dream. Some found the “eye of the
tiger” that many of our U.S. children have lost. And so it goes. One
generation learning lessons from the previous. In the case of Mexico or
at least San Felipe it seems to be a more positive “yes we can” lesson,
message and attitude.
Not all is lost in the U.S. Just as not all is a panacea in San
Felipe. However, if things do not change and do not change radically
soon the U.S. will not be the wonderful place we as young people so long
ago were blessed to inherit.
I look with pride at a young Mexican family that has overcome so
much hardship from generations past. It is the same type of pride I have
for a U.S. family that has overcome so much to attain their goals and
dreams. These young people, be they American or Mexican deserve all the
best we can give them. Not in handouts and welfare. But in respect,
education, and pride as we go along our everyday activities.
Let us all remember that we are the foreigners here. No matter how
long we might be blessed to call this place home, it is THE home of the
Mexican people. They are our hosts. We are their guests.
This attitude of positive influence makes itself evident everyday
as I observe Americans interacting with their Mexican neighbors. This
just another reason I am so proud to call our Little Village by the Sea
our home. Let us never forget just how blessed we are! If you don’t
believe things can change for the worse overnight, just look north!