Pat, See Us Joses For What We Really Are
Whoa! Did I hear somebody take my name in vain again?
It was Pat Buchanan. He said: “Jose, we ain’t gonna let you in again!”
The Republican presidential candidate consistently, and with disrespect, has used the name “Jose” as a catchword for all Mexicanos.
Well, Senor Booshanan, as my father-in-law calls you, I want to clarify a few things.
“Numero uno,” as we say, “Aqui estamos y no nos vamos” (“we’re here and we ain’t leaving.”)
“Numero dos,” when you address me or any of my “tocayos” (“people named like me,”) use our middle and last names, unless you really do intend to make a racist insult.
“Numero tres,” some of our finest citizens who have greatly influenced the United States have been named Jose.
“Primero,” Jose Ferrer (1912-1992).
A Puerto Rican native and Princeton University graduate, Jose received a multitude of acting and directing awards, including the 1950 Oscar for best actor in his role as Cyrano de Bergerac. In 1985, fellow actor President Reagan bestowed upon him the National Medal of Arts.
Not only that, Pat, but Jose was an honorary Irish-American as the husband of singer Rosemary Clooney.
“Segundo,” Jose Limon (1908-1972).
He was 7 when his “familia” came to the United States from Culiacan, Mexico. A passionate painter, musician and designer as a young man in Los Angeles, Jose evolved into a master dancer and choreographer, working with Martha Graham and other greats. Like so many other Joses, Limon served in World War II and then resumed his illustrious career.
The U.S. State Department made him an emissary of art, sending him to Europe, Central and South America and the Middle and Far East. He performed for both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Not for any Republicans, Pat, but, hey, Jose could dance!
“Tercero,” Jose Feliciano.
Can he see? No! But can he play! He can light your fire not only with the “guitarra” but also with the banjo, bass, mandolin, bongos, harmonica, timbals, kazoo, piano and harpsichord, all self-taught, “muchas gracias!”
He has won gold records, Grammy Awards and other honors and is renowned for his beautiful version of the national anthem that Pat wouldn’t like. But I’m sure Pat can a hum a few bars of Jose’s all-American Christmas classic, “Feliz Navidad.”
“Cuarto,” Jose Greco, one of the greatest flamenco dancers of modern times.
Born in Italy in 1918, he grew up in Seville - and Brooklyn. He founded his own dance company and has performed in every medium, winning honors around the world.
“Quinto,” Jose Canseco.
The Cuban-born baseball star got a slow start; an honors student in high school in Florida, he didn’t make the school team until his senior year, and he was selected in the 15th round of the 1982 draft by the Oakland A’s.
A less known fact about this star athlete is his tireless, selfless work for disadvantaged children.
The litany of American Joses could go on and on: author Jose Antonio Villareal; anthropology professor Jose Cuellar, alias rock musician Dr. Loco; artist Jose Montoya; and the late poet Jose Montalvo, to name just a few.
On a poignant, patriotic last note: Four servicemen named Jose have earned the Medal of Honor: Jose Lopez, San Antonio; Jose Francisco Jimenez, Mexico City; Jose P. Martinez, Taos, N.M.; and Jose F. Valdez, Gobernadora, N.M.
Too numerous to name are all the Joses who have died in service to their country so that Pat Buchanan could exercise his freedom of speech.
Buchanan says he is Irish-American, but apparently he doesn’t know the long, proud history of the Irish in Latin America or that the Irish often are called the “Mexicans of Europe” because of cultural similarities. There even was a San Patricio battalion of Irish who fought against the United States in the Mexican-American War.
Pat Buchanan is an anomaly, not your typical Irish-American. He would never take in Jose and Maria for the night, even if it was Christmas Eve.
xxxx