DOUBLE IDENTITY 11/4/97

I dated a white boy for the first time last year during the fall semester of 96. It was a really strange experience for me. (I've always dated Mexican American boys because it feels more comfortable, there's an understanding between us.) Anyway, we dated for 2 months and we turned out to be more different than I expected. This guy was disgusted by the fact that I ate meat. He must have assumed I was ignorant because of this. I understand all the ethical and political wrongs of eating meat. There is something he didn't understand. Food is part of my culture and part of who I am. It is a huge part in Mexican American culture. When I think of tripas, barbacoa, tamales, chorizo, or menudo I think of being with my family enjoying those foods. There is something deep there. Family get togethers are centered around the kitchen.

I feel like a bundle of contradictions. I hate symbols of Amercian culture as much as anyone with a conscious does. I despise out consumer, car driving, meat eating, football watching society.
In my last zine I wrote about why I am anti- car. At the same time I wanted to include photographs and an article about the Camargo Park Lowrider Fest. I understood that people could easily call me on that.
Where do I draw the line between what is acceptable in one culture and not in the other?
I don't eat steaks or hamburgers. I feel that the things I hold dear in Mexican American culture are meaningful, from the soul. What we hold dear in our culture is out of pride for who we are. Many of the white people I am friends with are vegetarian or vegan. None of them have ever questioned why I eat meat. The relationship with the first white boy I dated helped me to confront my contradications with my identity.

So, here are the photos from the Lowrider Festival my brother, Beto and I went to.