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11 de Febrero, 2008
La Calle Unwinding
Categorized under Blogando | Tags: blogs, Change, the Unapologetic Mexican
A READER who hasn't been around for a while asked me about changes in my blog. I want to answer briefly.
The early stages of my blog (first year) were concerned with the original purpose of this blog. A journey of self discovery, ethnic pride, pushing back against the anti-Mexican hate. Those posts are long, very personal, often dealing with a lot of research in Mexican history, very substantial. I spent hours on complex digital art, and most of my posts in the earlier part of the blog show that, even up to a few months ago. When I started this blog, I was unemployed (or mostly). I had a lot of time. I was alone out here, didn't know the "brown blogosphere" yet. I was more confrontational in general because I needed to be. I was more personal because I was working things out. I was using a lot of Spanish and referencing a lot of literature because I was holding school for myself. I was vehemently against the political system for the most part, because I felt it was a bullshit game not worth my time.
So if a reader comes from that point to now, they would surely say "¿Qué fue? What happened to your blog?"
I am employed now. All that intense energy and work I poured into the blog ended me up designing many sites, publishing my art in books, broadcasting mi voz on radio, publishing my words in magazines, pimpin' my pride in the offices of MTV. Great things! So I have more money now, and more opportunities, and much much much less time. Also, I have learned a lot of history and of my background in all my reading and writing. I don't need to go over it and over it. También, I know a bit more spanish (though my spanish is still woefully fundamental), but I'm not taking classes anymore, so I don't practice here as much. Plus I don't feel quite the same need to put it forth as much. I am not wrestling with my identity as I was then, so I'm probably a bit less reactive. It's been very good. My efforts have been successful in these areas.
You can read back to see this happening, it's quite a clear arc.
I follow the political events in the USA because I am now a journalist to the extent that I get paid by MTV News to follow politics. My feelings on politics remain (check the last graf here) for the most part, and just because I'm rooting for obama doesn't mean I need a President to save me. But I think the man is historical, and important, and I've already gone into that enough for my liking.
I agree that following the political game in the USA is a bit boring, or cheap, or at least its not as substantial as many other posts I write here. But I still follow environmental issues and spread PSAs on toxins and poisons, and I still write on the September NYC Demolitions, and I still point out racist messaging in media, and I still shout out for Mexican@ pride and Latin@ pride, and I still show solidarity with The Brown™.
But now I don't just write about it, I work with people to make change out in the 3D, I am involved with pro-migrant organizations, I do work for them (look for the XOLAGRAFIK tag on many well known pro-migrant blogs and sites), I've been flown out to NYC speak on New Media, I am part of a pro-migrant coalition that will soon make its presence known online, I hang out with others interested in what I am working for online and off, I make videos that address some of the same issues I write about.
The blog will flex and be in flux, and I've never been about static presentation, but I'm still me. At least in the important ways. And even when I rant and rave, I still aim to entertain. Hope la casa is still a fun place to hang.
Órale!
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Comentarios (9)
Deoridhe dijo:
Speaking of your voice (I'd say it in Spanish, but I only know it in French - woe is me), I think I heard you on the radio the other day! I don't think I've mentioned it before, but you have such a pretty voice.
Palabras por Deoridhe spat forth on el 11 de Febrero, 2008 at 12:13 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
dijo:
thank you, deoridhe. thanks for the sunshine on this day in particular.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
spat forth on el 11 de Febrero, 2008 at 12:15 PM
myrna melgar dijo:
And what a wonderful journey! Thanks for letting us share this part of it with you, you're one of the most eloquent voices out there that desperately need to get heard.
Palabras por myrna melgar spat forth on el 11 de Febrero, 2008 at 01:29 PM
nezua
dijo:
its good to have you riding shotgun, myrna. your support is a huge help.
Palabras por nezua
spat forth on el 11 de Febrero, 2008 at 02:21 PM
RC dijo:
Change is good, especially in the sense of growth. That is always preferable to stagnation. The blog seems fine to me. Yes, even in the post misery days. I remember Nez plowing through a lot of misery, but he was making jokes about it.
So less misery is my vote. But keep the joking happening.
I have a hard time figuring out who is really writing the blog now since Nez can't possibly have the time.
Meanwhile Nez, if Ted Turner could become filthy rich on the new media of his era, why not you now? Money is power in many ways if you can make it work that way and it can even be, and often is, very positive. Now you need an Andy Warhol type Choloismo Factory in some low rent high spirit country. After the MTV gig there's another peak on the horizon. I'm sure you will be climbing on that one and keeping us entertained for a long time to come.
And I say that as a guy who never looks at your videos or hears your audio work, justs reads the text.
The text is pretty high grade, but it could get even better. Excelsior. And take good care of your self and the family.
Palabras por RC spat forth on el 11 de Febrero, 2008 at 03:12 PM
cindylu dijo:
Static blogs are rather boring. I think everyone needs some innovation. Plus, I know it's hard to write daily.
Palabras por cindylu spat forth on el 11 de Febrero, 2008 at 11:35 PM
kyledeb dijo:
We change all the time all the while staying the same. I haven't had the same amount of time to put in my posts either, and that's nothing compared with all the work you did. You're putting it all to good use and I trust that this blog will be better for it. Keep up the good work, Nez.
Palabras por kyledeb spat forth on el 12 de Febrero, 2008 at 07:20 AM
janna dijo:
I haven't been with you since the "beginning," but having gone back and read some of your earlier posts, and making my daily stop here for about the last year, it's been fun watching you grow and change. You never fail to entertain, and the stirrings in my mind and heart that your words incite have had a real impact on how I view all that goes on around me. I also know how hard it is to keep on writing consistently through despair or simply around the daily demands of life. By your commitment, passion, and talent, I am inspired.
Palabras por janna spat forth on el 13 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:20 AM
nezua
dijo:
ustedes rule!
Palabras por nezua
spat forth on el 13 de Febrero, 2008 at 08:25 AM