New Mexico seems like the kind of place where Western heritage would endure. I hope it does. Though unless someone wants to write a single novel with a representative from every single one of the demographics you listed - which would be hard to justify artistically except as an ideological statement - it sounds like you actually have a rich supply of inspiration needed to represent the region. Sadly, left-wing ideologues use the old vaqueros to attack American heritage as a "ripoff." But they do this, as usual, solely to attack the West.
Even so, the ideological attack on the cowboy is curious in the sense that nobody would be having this discussion if 1) Americans hadn't uniquely uplifted the figure of the cowboy as you described here, something even the Argentines didn't do until the gaucho lifestyle was long gone; and 2) if the Western genre hadn't been created. For that, credit goes to Bret Harte, that Californian "buckaroo." What is often displayed as a cause of ethnic righteousness is, in fact, anger and envy at the fact that Americans celebrate their cowboys in a way Mexicans don't with their vaqueros.
Some good points. I enjoyed reading Bret Harte. I'm partial to Andy Adams, Will James, and Owen Wister -- none of which is well-read anymore -- and especially partial to Eugene Rhodes, whom no one reads. In fairness, American Western movies often (usually?) failed to express what I'm calling "the best of the West." But the cowboy and cowgirl are quintessential to being American, in my view. A lot of bad stuff happened to Native Americans, of course, much of it at the hands of White cowboys, of course and to a lesser extent, bad stuff happened to Latinos. So our friends on the Left make some good points too.
Hi, Mike- Never really thought of the idea of a "true cowboy" so this is a refreshing read. I particularly loved: "They were free-hearted and buoyant and came at the rush of life with relish and a joyful saddle song. And when they lost a fight they bounced back up with a grin, ready for more." A true thought here. Thanks for sharing, Mike. Hope you're well. Cheers, -Thalia
One of my favorite places is Bandelier. I don’t think I’ve ever got the sense of quiet peace anywhere else as I did in New Mexico. The sunrise is always purple watermelon colored with just the right amount of ease. The air is so dry that it basically vapor-kill any attempt of pretense. So yes, I love its no nonsense stoicism that no other place has. What’s your favorite region in NM, Mike?
New Mexico seems like the kind of place where Western heritage would endure. I hope it does. Though unless someone wants to write a single novel with a representative from every single one of the demographics you listed - which would be hard to justify artistically except as an ideological statement - it sounds like you actually have a rich supply of inspiration needed to represent the region. Sadly, left-wing ideologues use the old vaqueros to attack American heritage as a "ripoff." But they do this, as usual, solely to attack the West.
Even so, the ideological attack on the cowboy is curious in the sense that nobody would be having this discussion if 1) Americans hadn't uniquely uplifted the figure of the cowboy as you described here, something even the Argentines didn't do until the gaucho lifestyle was long gone; and 2) if the Western genre hadn't been created. For that, credit goes to Bret Harte, that Californian "buckaroo." What is often displayed as a cause of ethnic righteousness is, in fact, anger and envy at the fact that Americans celebrate their cowboys in a way Mexicans don't with their vaqueros.
Some good points. I enjoyed reading Bret Harte. I'm partial to Andy Adams, Will James, and Owen Wister -- none of which is well-read anymore -- and especially partial to Eugene Rhodes, whom no one reads. In fairness, American Western movies often (usually?) failed to express what I'm calling "the best of the West." But the cowboy and cowgirl are quintessential to being American, in my view. A lot of bad stuff happened to Native Americans, of course, much of it at the hands of White cowboys, of course and to a lesser extent, bad stuff happened to Latinos. So our friends on the Left make some good points too.
Hi, Mike- Never really thought of the idea of a "true cowboy" so this is a refreshing read. I particularly loved: "They were free-hearted and buoyant and came at the rush of life with relish and a joyful saddle song. And when they lost a fight they bounced back up with a grin, ready for more." A true thought here. Thanks for sharing, Mike. Hope you're well. Cheers, -Thalia
I see you've spent some time in New Mexico.
One of my favorite places is Bandelier. I don’t think I’ve ever got the sense of quiet peace anywhere else as I did in New Mexico. The sunrise is always purple watermelon colored with just the right amount of ease. The air is so dry that it basically vapor-kill any attempt of pretense. So yes, I love its no nonsense stoicism that no other place has. What’s your favorite region in NM, Mike?
Well, Sandia Peak near 11,000 feet, overlooking Albuquerque, is my favorite place in New Mexico.
Glad you liked it, Thalia. -- Mike
Very interesting
Love what you have reminded some folks as well as enlightened me others about life .Great intro to your books thank you
Thank you, Gailene.
Mike, Thanks for this deep dive into growing up in the American Southwest, and some of the cultural history of the people and the land.
Thanks, Russell.
This is wonderful. I enjoyed it immensely.