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From: Marco Caceres, ProjectHonduras
Category: Other
Date: 2/17/99
Time: 4:33:20 PM
Remote Name: 38.181.64.6
On the Controversial Theme of Honduran National Identity
In the February 17, 1999 edition of Honduras' La Tribuna newspaper, there is an editorial by Rubén Villeda Bermúdez which I believe speaks directly to Hondurans and Honduran-Americans living outside of Honduras. The title of the piece is "El Controversial Tema de Nuestra Identidad Nacional" or "The Controversial Theme of Our National Identity". I encourage you to read it.
Mr. Villeda touches a raw nerve within me--and I'm certain within many of us going about our business here in the US--when he says that Hondurans (in Honduras) do not understand why "our compatriots" do not recognize themselves as truly a part of Honduras, except when it is advantageous or convenient to do so. Why is it, Villeda asks, that we compatriots abroad refuse to relate or be associated in any way with those aspects about Honduras which are "sad, embarrassing and painful"?
Developing a real kinship and solidarity with Honduras or a true "national identity" demands the kind of patriotism that respects and, in fact, holds dear all aspects of our society--both good and bad--because that is who we are. Villeda suggests that we should not preoccupy ourselves with trying to disassociate ourselves from our past sins and failures, but rather focus on the present and strive to improve Honduras for future generations.
I agree that we Hondurans and Honduran-Americans abroad should not pick and choose the elements that define Honduras as if we are in a supermarket shopping for produce. If we insist on presenting ourselves as Hondurans or Honduran-Americans here in the US, we must accept what that means in its entirety. This is a good, basic floorplan by which to live. It keeps us honest.
With all this said, however, I'm not so certain that most Hondurans and Honduran-Americans abroad commonly make the mistake of claiming their roots only when it suits them. For one thing, it hardly ever "suits" us. Off hand, I can only think of two or three situations when saying "I am from Honduras" would be a major advantage.
The first one would be when landing in Honduras and entering the airport with a group of non-Spanish-speaking Americans. I've often felt great pride and ease distinguishing myself from the pack with the local Customs officer. The second situation would be at a cigar smoking event. Saying "I am from Honduras" always draws many accolades from people who, all of a sudden, look at you as a cigar aficionado. The third situation would be at a diver's convention.
While a country like Italy is known for many great and fashionable things, Honduras is "cool" only because of its cigars, its diving and perhaps its archaelogical sites. Otherwise, the country is typically stereotyped as a corrupt banana republic which is always looking for handouts.
Contrary to what Villeda suggests, I believe that it is precisely the less attractive aspects of Honduras that seem to bind compatriots abroad together. The saying "misery loves company" is not far off the mark. It's almost as if we Hondurans and Honduran-Americans in the US are saying..."So what if our country is poor and corrupt. So what if Hondurans are viewed as lazy and apathetic."
With a sense of humor, we simply shake our heads mildly, smile and acknowledge it all. We have to because the evidence is so overwhelming.
I believe it is this long and overwhelming record of difficulties that we cannot deny that explains why in fact there does exist a real Honduran national identity, and particularly within the Honduran and Honduran-American community in the US. The problem is that this sense of national identity is based largely on emotion, nostalgia. Or as Villeda notes..."instinct".
We love Honduras because it is natural to love where we were born or where our ancestors were born. We are proud of our Honduran heritage because we remember. We remember our families and friends. We remember the mountains and the rivers. We remember the smells, the fragrances. We remember the good times, the food, the music.
As Villeda wisely points out, however, the "perfecting" of a national identity is more an "intellectual" process than an emotional one. Our sense of national/cultural identity is not as strong or as cohesive as that of the Jewish people or that of countries which have undergone a defining revolution. The reason being because we as a people do not have guiding ideals or principles that bind us to Honduras. It is all emotional, not intellectual.
With such a high percentage of the population in Honduras simply struggling to survive, it is no great secret why the intellectual approach to developing a national identity is not taking hold within the country. People who spend all of their time looking for a job or scavenging for food have little use for ideas or principles designed to "perfect" a national identity. After all, of what use is a "national identity" to the average peasant.
Thus, while I take issue with what I perceive is Villeda's assertion that we compatriots abroad only claim our heritage when it is to our advantage, I do agree that we owe it to Honduras to start taking an active role in building and strengthening a national identity that is based on much more than merely emotion. Many of us here in the US have or will eventually have the intellectual and financial resources to make a difference in Honduras. There's nothing stopping us except that wonderfully destructive Honduran trait known as "apathy".
Marco Cáceres (htco@juno.com)
www.holyrosarychurch.org/projecthonduras.htm