The Mexica Would be Ashamed (A Letter)

(Note: This one has a background. I used to belong to a list that was supposed to be about Native American pride, but was filled mainly with followers of the Mexica Movement. The few who disagreed with their point of view were quickly denounced as thinking like Europeans, or not being "real" Mexica. One day there was a post to this list calling us to join a list on Aztec history, because the list owners were "spreading lies" about the Mexica. Basically, it was a call for all the members to descend on the hapless list and flame the owners, which is what happened. The "lies" were simple discussions on Aztec history, and I was so finally disgusted with the behavior of these alleged "Mexica" that I posted this- the first and only thing I have ever said to their kind. I was surprised, but glad, to find others speaking up in agreement with me.)

I have come here because I was directed to this group via another, in which the party in question was outraged at the activities here. I have read the messages and I have come to this conclusion. I know that my words will only cause insults to be slung at me, but I have resigned myself to finally say what has been stirring in me for a very long time, but only now find appropriate cause to voice.

For a long time I have loved my ancestors. Before I saw all the groups on the internet dedicated to them, I loved them and I wanted to learn and honor their ways. I did this by myself, because I knew no others who shared this passion as I did. I know this will only leave me open to attacks, but I am only interested in telling truths, for I've seen too many lies of late. I learned by myself, but I am confident that I have done well, and that my ancestors, my people, would be pleased.

After a time, I began to see others who I believed shared my passion. I joined them and I listened to them talk, but I found that I could not speak to them. I couldn't speak because they were blind and angry and full of hate. They were proud of the blood of their ancestors, but they were caught in the European mindset that they criticize so much. The only way they could love their ancestors was if they believed they were something they weren't. They deny that the Mexica had "gods," they want to believe they had some generic "Great Spirit," like the cookie-cutter Native Americans everyone idolizes. Worse, some of them wanted to pretend the Mexica had been like Christians, only "better"- they had one god, but they understood that god better. The European mindset that they hate so much shines through when they tell you why the Mexica didn't believe in many gods and didn't offer up life in gratitude to them: because that's "primitive," and the Mexica were better than that. Who says it's primitive? Only the conquerors who destroyed our ancestors and left us to pick up the pieces. Look at the other indigenous peoples of the world. They will laugh at you if you tell them there are no "gods." I love the gods of my people and I am not ashamed to honor them.

These people swallow propaganda whole, but they never ask where it came from. They criticize "Euro-centric" books, but they have no proof of their own to show. They only have the same lies that they repeat over and over so often that they don't remember who came up with them first. I find myself alone, because I've seen so few others of my heritage who truly respect our ancestors- by honoring them in truth, rather than repainting them in lies. Perhaps they share the blood, but they don't share the heart. I am certain they will only tell me I am not "Mexica" enough, not "Nahua" enough, not "Indio" enough. To them I say: at least I haven't shamed our ancestors and thrown away our gods.

If it would do any good, I would apologize to the people on this list who have had to endure so much anger and hatred on the part of these people who wish they were Mexica. Unfortunately, I know that it will do nothing.