New Mexico is a State

Time for some culture. While to some readers, this may be like speaking in Greek, I'll try to give an example of what I'm talking about. When you're in other countries, you can easily offend someone with a label describing who they are nationally. For instance you'll run into some Okinawan's that will take offence to being called Japanese. Sure Okinawa is a part of Japan now, but this hasn't always been the case. You'll come across similar instances in various countries as well. I ran into it some in the Philippines, and I'm sure countries that have been torn apart, ravaged by wars, revolts, and other things have the same issue.

Here in the United States though, we are a bit bigger, geographically than many nations. In addition to that, we started as small communities along the east coast and spread out. States that had their own laws, and ways. Then banded together as a union to fight off oppression and tyranny from those countries people came here to escape. Even after that, our country was pieced together. Each piece being called a state. When you look at our flag, you see a star for each state. All 50 of them.

In general, people take pride in where they are from. Each state offering something unique. From song, to movies we see the distinction of how different life can be from Los Angeles, to Texas, to New York City. Californians, Texans, New Yorkers, etc. The point is that everyone comes from someplace and takes offense when it gets spit on. Some, more so than others. I'm no different.  And it's not just about where you were born, but where you grew up, and where you call home. For instance, I was born in Texas. I've spent time in California, and a few other places. But I've spent a significant portion of my life in New Mexico. To such an extent that I am a New Mexican. If someone asks where I'm from, I respond with, "Silver City, NM." Yes, that place that Billy the Kid lived for a while.

In elementary school, I know a big thing for my generation was having to learn all of the states, where they are, and what their capitals are. Then to take it further, we learned about state flowers, birds, and other stuff that generally bores kids to sleep. But we learned it. Nothings changed since then. At least not here. My kids have all had to learn the states, where they are, and their capitals. But apparently this isn't the case everywhere. I find it annoying and insulting when people hear the words, New Mexico, and follow up with, "Oh, you speak English so well." Or how about, "Do you need a passport to work down there?" On one occasion I was even asked, "How long did it take to get your green card. You sound just like an American." "I didn't know US Route 66 went through Mexico," It doesn't!

That's just the tip of the spear. Then you have customer service. You can call your bank, phone company, cable provider, etc and end up getting told that they can't help you because you're out of the country!

Taken a Bellehaven Elementary School when picking up my boy.

It really is a sign of how ignorant we've become as a nation. That we don't even recognize the names of our states unless we're watching a movie. What kills me even more is that there is so much history here, but we still don't get recognized. Before Arizona became a state, it was part of the New Mexico Territory. Some ambitious battles were fought in the Civil War to claim this area. We were accepted as a state in 1912 as the 47th state, BEFORE Arizona. We are home to the Trinity test site, where the first nuclear device was detonated. We supply a huge portion of the nations green chile. We're home to the International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest hot air balloon festival. Bugs Bunny should have taken a left turn here. And so much more.

I strongly encourage any of you, who don't know, have forgotten, or just didn't pay attention to go back to school and learn some basic geography, and a little history. It's embarrassing that the only time you make the connection that New Mexico is a state, is when you're watching a UFO show talking about the Roswell Incident, or watching an extremely old episode of COPS.

We're not just New Mexicans, we are AMERICANS.