Too much of the mass media assumes that the lazy, super-macho, virulent and violent Hispanic man is the cultural norm rather than the exception. Mirande shows that subjugation has more often than not introduced those elements into this culture, rather than the other way around. Because family is very important in the Chicano culture, these men are more likely to spend time with their children than Anglo men.
Also interesting was the section on GLBT chicanos and how culture influences acceptance of sexuality. Despite the predominance of catholicism in Latino communities (which usually disapproves of homosexuality)evidence presented in the book suggests that their culture's concept of sexuality is more fluid than the anglo counterpart. Furthermore, the author notes the 'Top' male in lovemaking is generally accepted in society while the passive one is the only person who is not regarded as a real man.
HOMBRES Y MACHOS describes that, contrary to the Anglo-Saxon model of the stoic muscleman, macho Hispanic men are typically colorful, loud, and emotionally expressive. I found this description to be a breath of fresh air because in my late teens I became loosely involved in the movement sometimes known as the men's movement. This movement focuses on combatting the stoic macho male model and introducing men to their emotions. I found this bewildering because, in my experience, the more macho the man the more emotionally expressive (my father, Arthur Olivo, who was very macho, had no shame about dancing, singing, crying, etc.). I came to realize that though I am not biologically Mexican - the father I refer to in this review was technically my step-father - I needed books that addressed the Hispanic male experience because that was also *my* experience.
Finally! HOMBRES Y MACHOS is the book I had been looking for. It helped me understand myself, my life, and it gave me a vocabulary, a framework, within which to perceive my journey. And it helped me understand what is perhaps the most complicated issue of my life: why my Mexican father did not consider me his step-son, but told people I was his biological son. As HOMBRES Y MACHOS details, fatherhood in Mexican culture is far more embracing than what is commonly thought of in Anglo-Saxon culture. According to the author, my father's approach to me as his son has precedent in Mexican culture. Just knowing this fact put a big piece of the puzzle in place.
I am so thankful to Alfredo Mirande for writing HOMBRES Y MACHOS and therefore aiding me in my journey of self-understanding, as well as in understanding the men I have grown up around.
Thank you!
Andrew Parodi
