Crossroads of Culture

At first, the title "Standing at the Crossroads" did not mean much to me, but after reading this essay I believe Javier depicts the man who is at a crossroad between two cultures. Unlike most, he did not go down one path or the other. Instead, he always remains at the crossroad, living both cultures at once. "One of the reasons that Javier concerned himself with Nahuala's past may have been that he was also concerned about its future,” the author states (64). This statement reminds me very much of Manual who is fluent in Spanish and teaching at a prestigious university, but at the same time is extremely passionate about preserving his culture and especially the K’iche language. Although this is a simplified interpretation, the past that Javier speaks of may refer to Mayan traditionalism and the future may indicate the Westernized Spanish world. Javier’s attitude toward Florentin and his wife is a little harsh, but his sentiments reinforce how he balances the best of both worlds. On one hand Javier values his Indian heritage and dons the traditional traje, but when necessary he will put on a pair of pants. He understands that to succeed that one must speak Spanish and sometimes adapt to the ways of the modern world. I find Javier to be a walking contradiction, but he seems to have a better grasp on his identity than the young Javier who struggles with his heritage and dreams of the world outside his town.

It’s touching to hear that the indigenous people of Guatemala were pressured into slowly leaving their culture behind. “So that’s how they got Indian men to quit wearing traje—they did not say ‘Take it off, take it off.” But through jokes and prejudice, step by step it happened” (71). Being bullied like that can be emotionally demeaning and often one will do anything to prevent the harassment. Avoidance of the pain is motivation enough, even when the necessary act is to give up one’s culture. Prescribing to the Ladino culture does not appear to be an option for the Indians; sometimes it is the only way to earn a living and one must do what one can to support a family. However, assimilating into the Ladino work field does not seem to be without its benefits. “But because of the highway, they woke up…their ideas began to grow…their eyes and ears were opened so they could have a new life…they began to exchange ideas” (74). The amalgamation of many races such as the “Ladinos, Americans, Germans, white people, black people” in one location had a phenomenal effect on the philosophies of the men working there. This is quite reminiscent of the U.S. which is commonly referred to as the melting pot whenever culture comes into the conversation. Americans are proud of their diverse nation and for one reason: the exchange of ideas that occurs as a consequence. Americans highly value that prospect and that is where things like a liberal arts education stems from. A liberal arts education focuses on knowledge from many areas as opposed to just one subject. Some countries say we are not as smart as others and that we do not excel in one particular skill, but that is up to the reader to decide. Is it better to be narrow-focused or to be enlightened? Instead of weighing the pros and cons and picking one side over the other, Javier chooses to remain at the crossroads of that decision.