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Spanish spices up America
A Times Editorial
Published May 26, 2006
We wonder what Alberto and Ernesto think of the current mean-spirited debate over our border with Mexico. We suspect they'll let us know soon enough, because those are the first and fifth listed names for tropical storms this year. Giving hurricanes Hispanic names is just one of the ways American popular culture has embraced other cultures from south of the border. Mexican foods and spices are all the rage, too. According to the trade publication Prepared Foods, "of the manufacturers surveyed, 68% currently market or plan to market ... consumer products considered to be distinctly Mexican cuisine." There's also a good chance that the ingredients were picked or processed by a Hispanic immigrant, perhaps here illegally. As for the push in Congress to make English our "national" or at least "common and unifying" language, we see no harm in requiring a reasonable English proficiency from immigrants seeking legal citizenship status. Still, Cinco de Mayo is a lot more exciting than May 5th. In fact, without the Spanish contribution to our language, there would be no manatees, margaritas, macho men, mustangs or mesquite grilling, to name just a few of our borrowed M words.
[Last modified May 26, 2006, 05:28:58]
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