General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDid anyone catch the latest episode of, "Anthony Bourdain's Part's Unknown" in East Texas?
I would recommend it to be required viewing in today's climate.
I would have to say that it was a very hard-hitting piece, probably the best episode ever. I will preface this by saying Im not an Anthony Bourdain cheerleading fan. However, with that said, I feel his shows are important because it shows us, people, that we may never or never will encounter. His shows show a side to people that even the most cold-hearted bastard couldn't deny. Food just brings people together, whether its; Israelis & Arabs, Texans & Mexicans, to Guys with a man bun and designer glasses & the most rednecked mountain man have in common. Food can and does bring people together and in today's climate. Anything that shows how we are relatable to one another is very important. In regards to whether you may or may not care for himself, as a person is a different story. So watch this episode!
So in this episode, he goes to E. Texas. It thousands of square miles of nothing but cattle feeding land. There may be a small town here and there scattered, but life really hasn't changed much in hundreds if not thousands of years up until recently. The Texans down there that live on the border all speak some Spanish, and most of the Mexicans that live on the Mexican side speak some English. A gruff old cowboy with an eyepatch sitting in his bar said it best, "I learned to speak Spanish because it's the right thing to do." That's what makes good neighbors, not walls."
Every single person interviewed has ties across the river. They interviewed a girl whose boyfriend can't go to her house but she can go to his house, he can't get the proper visas. Her dad isn't worried about her at night. He said it's not like how the media portrays border towns with all that violence (Gee I wonder why most people think that. Thanks again media). Person after person commented on how a wall going up would make their life a living hell. For generations, families would wade across the river and hang out in the US side of town on a Friday, and then come Saturday everyone would be on the Mexican side.
Its a way of life that has always rung true to me as authentic as it gets. It hasn't changed in hundreds of years with Texans and for thousands of year for the Mexican/Spanish/Mestizos/and Aztecs. The people down there consider each other friends and more importantly neighbors (or what good neighbors should be). Walls have never been successful, Isreal, Germany, the Great Wall of China, and ancient Roman pioneer brick walls in ancient England. None of these walls ever had the desired effect. Had they just taken the time to integrate with one another, and stop worrying about some damn purity of blood or race. That the world would be such a better place.
I also find it once again, that the people affected by something the least, have the most and loudest bit to say. I've noticed it in just the military in general. You will have a 300lb, Otter Team 6 member, who fought in the Battle of Endor. He will give all sorts of his thoughts on gays in the military. He will be the first to rant and rave on message boards about how the military is just going down the crapper, with as many ridiculous reasons as gays in the military, to "millennials". Because today's kids are just as damn brave as those that stormed the beaches in France and all across the Pacific.
Then we have our dumb assed President who had such a bad case of bone spurs, who knows more about the military than his General's. Or knows more about Trade Wars and how easy they are to win, to know that those damn Mexicans are nothing but criminals.
elleng
(130,974 posts)I am a fan. Found it engrossing, as ever.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidio,_Texas and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojinaga_Municipality
Thanks for the correction! West Texas! I only went over what I wrote about 10 times and 30 minutes, I definitely need an editor.
anarch
(6,535 posts)and, uh, that doesn't sound like the kind of people (or geography) I've met.
In my experience out that way, trying to bring people together with food, you get mixed results, since a lot of the people you run into aren't all that hungry most of the time if you know what I mean.
I often wonder about the voting trends out that way, but I suppose I can guess...not being from around here, my biggest surprise about the population was that there were a lot more black folks than I expected...shouldn't have been surprised I guess; East Texas is the only part of the state that I'd call part of "The South." Still lots of cotton fields...anyway, my point about the diversity is that I bet if everyone around there voted, the place would be as blue as Austin pretty quickly. Seems to me like there's still quite a lot of Klan activity out that way along with the cotton fields though....
peekaloo
(22,977 posts)which is actually scary in parts.
BigmanPigman
(51,611 posts)his description of how various walls throughout history have been unsuccessful and just plain bad was already in my head. I am a Tony fan!
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)His untimely death a tragedy that highlights the dangers of depression. I know people in my life who suffer from it.
I can watch his shows for hours and sometimes do!
The show you are talking about was powerful. Particularly when that badass cowboy with the patch and scars said no Wall was going to separate him from his loyal friends across the boarder. Especially since it would cut his ranch off from the water of the Rio Grande that he needs.
Loved seeing that hard core western bar that would scare the hell out of most Americans where the huge bartender was wearing a Putin/Trump tee shirt. Not the pro Trump kind! Like he was daring someone to challenge him!
It was refreshing in that it showed not all rural folks are trump fans. Those people are hard core.
marble falls
(57,106 posts)and two books he recommended - Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London and the Catalonia book.
I was struck by how different Confidential was in in light of two weeks after his death. The Orwell books were both good.
California_Republic
(1,826 posts)Travel shows seem to be much more political these days and are very educational
Separation
(1,975 posts)I have a bunch of his shows DVR'd. I'll have to catch up on him as I haven't seen any of his shows this season. LOL I can't imagine him or his fanny pack getting angry at anything! There is a slew of shows on PBS that come on right after another that I record. Rick Steves, Milk, Country Cooking, Americas Test Kitchen (which the previous 2 shows were from) Yan Can Cook. Love all of those shows!
GoneOffShore
(17,340 posts)And catching a lot of flack from people who say travel shows shouldn't be 'political'.
California_Republic
(1,826 posts)Like his piece on Iran. That the people were wonderful and peaceful
Duppers
(28,125 posts)I'd much rather live in Iran than Saudi - no comparison. Yet we're suppose to hate Iran, according to the knucledraggers.
peekaloo
(22,977 posts)Therefore I love him.
California_Republic
(1,826 posts)peekaloo
(22,977 posts)peeing their pants because they were too stoned to go potty?
For the record I don't know too much about the subject.
renate
(13,776 posts)My favorite part: had they just taken the time to integrate with one other, and stop worrying about some damn purity of blood or race. That the world would be such a better place.
We are all just human beings. We are literally and humanely all brothers and sisters. It shouldnt matter that we have a common ancestor, but we do. We are all one human family. I wish so much that we could live that way. Can you imagine what a beautiful world it would be if we did that?
BannonsLiver
(16,396 posts)Ive spent a bit of time in Terlingua, Alpine etc and it never disappoints. Whenever I mention it to people it usually results in a puzzled blank stare. Too many Americans dont know anything about the interesting places in their own country.
JI7
(89,252 posts)that are are least likely to be attacked . they attack the people and culture of those who live in places that are usually the targets of the terrorist attacks such as large diverse cities,lgbt clubs etc.
and then you have the iowa farmers in steve king's district who are the biggest trump supporters and cheer on his bigoted anti immigrant anti minority bs while employing undocumented immigrants to work for them.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)HAB911
(8,904 posts)not at all what I expected from W. Texas