Translation of Tzompantli

[idiez at MAC.COM]

Joanna,
        I am Mexican, and in the course of my work as a teacher in Zacatecas,
I constantly joke with my students (both mestizo and indigenous) about
the racism that permeates Mexican society as well as the general lack of
understanding and misuse of indigenous culture. I guess you could say 
it's
one of my teaching strategies.
        Although it wasn't my intention, it sounds like I offended you when I
wrote, "I get a laugh everytime I drive by the city crematorium in 
Zacatecas.
Somebody got the bright idea to put tzompantli in big letter across the 
front
of the building. One of these days I may go in and tell the 
administrator, or
then again, maybe I won't." I would appreciate it if you could explain 
what
you mean by "exclusionism" and "exoticism".

John Sullivan, Ph.D.
Profesor de lengua y cultura nahua
Unidad Académica de Idiomas
Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Director
Instituto de Docencia e Investigación Etnológica de Zacatecas, A.C.
Tacuba 152, int. 47
Centro Histórico
Zacatecas, Zac. 98000
México
Oficina: +52 (492) 925-3415
Fax: +52 (492) 925-3416
Domicilio: +52 (492) 768-6048
Celular: +52 (492) 544-5985
idiez at mac.com
www.idiez.org.mx


On Jan 13, 2005, at 10:40 AM, Joanna Sanchez wrote:

> I have to say that I appreciate the light hearted spirit in which the
> comments made by Dr. Carlson were offered, and do not wish to take him 
> or
> anyone else to task.  But I would say that we sometimes risk losing our
> perspective and our credibility when we talk about elements of Mexican
> culture in such ways.  I was frankly more surprised to read the 
> following:
> I get a laugh everytime I drive by the city crematorium in Zacatecas.
> Somebody got the bright idea to put tzompantli in big letter across
> the front of the building. One of these days I may go in and tell the
> administrator, or then again, maybe I won't.
>
>    I couldn't help thinking that this suggests several things- albeit
> unintentionally- that the administrator might be unaware of the 
> meaning,
> that we can illuminate aspects of a culture for its oblivious members 
> (or
> not...).
>     I feel that any implication of exclusionism or exoticism, even in 
> fun,
> affects how we are perceived, and detracts from our good intentions, 
> which
> are born of a real respect and love we all share for the subject .
>      Joanna Sanchez
>