Some readers have asked me to share the last entry in English. Here it is.
It’s November, and in the United States, people will give thanks and go back for seconds. I’m not referring to the Thanksgiving dinner; this is about the newly elected political reality. They will be thankful that the people’s favorite candidate won the presidency, and once again, they’ll welcome the showman back.
However, this time, the difference is that the victory was decisive and unquestionable, both in the popular vote and the Electoral College. Records and milestones were set: never before had a single candidate competed against three different rivals in less than ten years, and that’s just referring to the presidential ballot, not counting the numerous contenders he had to defeat within both political parties before reaching the main event.
During this period, he faced women twice. Both had rich political careers, full of preparation and experience, and both had enough exposure to the American political stage to have defeated any challenger. Yet, both times, most decisively in the second, the people said, “Not them.” Analysts are debating what went wrong with Kamala Harris’s campaign for her to lose so resoundingly. Perhaps the focus shouldn’t be on explaining the current Vice President’s defeat, but rather on the reasons behind the overwhelming victory of the president-elect. What was it that so fascinated the people that they chose him again? They know his personality: a liar, narcissist, ignorant, tribal, misogynistic, manipulative, rude, and above all: literally, he has no shame.
There are self-help texts where authors highlight three types of fears that anchor people and prevent them from growing. These are: fear of failure, fear of success, and fear of being judged. The third is usually a byproduct of the first two. Fear of failure is a constant in human nature, but fear of success sounds more complex. Why would someone fear success? Mainly because of what comes after obtaining a high position that is difficult to maintain in the long run. It takes immense commitment and work just to hold onto this privileged spot, let alone elevate it, especially when it’s done under public scrutiny. The stress becomes overwhelming, and the anxiety from the third fear kicks in. It’s true that talent and capability are up to each person; however, it’s ultimately others who determine if what one offers aligns with their needs and with what the current situation demands. In other words, others hold the keys to an individual’s success. When they say “yes,” that’s when new opportunities arise, and in the best cases, fame. We must admit that the newly re-elected president has completely overcome the three fears, and as a result, what he, without shame, bluntly and brutally promises to deliver is exactly what the people demand according to today’s times.
Between junk food and China-made hats, he has used his political discourse to tear down moral standards, rules of courtesy, and good manners. The character played by Christopher Reeve in the excellent film The Remains of the Day would admit that this man has unmasked current politics as something bordering on amateurism and replaced it with a new «Realpolitik,» which many had avoided because it forced them into a change they weren’t ready to face. It’s a major challenge to abandon the friendly smile while ordering a record number of deportations and separating families; or to leave behind an image of unwavering righteousness while admitting knowledge of a failed program that illegally brought nearly ninety automatic rifles into Mexican territory. This hypocrisy had to be left behind. Now, people demand someone free of facades to do the dirty work of denouncing immigrants as public enemies, to put a stop to the «extended» freedoms of women in order to prevent childbirth, or to once again bury the issue of gender choice in disgrace. But this thought, which they don’t dare admit aloud, has been expressed through a secret vote, a dark secret that will set their desires into motion. Twice, they’ve made it clear that this plan cannot be carried out by a woman; only by a man, one who isn’t afraid to call things by their name, no matter who it hurts or offends.
The other day, I saw a social campaign in a German newspaper. The message seeks to raise awareness about violence against women. The headline reads: “Not all men, but always men.” Since I saw it, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the immediate future, remembering figures who left a destructive mark on history: Stalin, Hitler, Hussein, Mussolini, Castro, Milosevic, Maduro, Putin, etc. Not all men, but always men. The infamous slogan of this century: “Make America great again” is highly debatable, considering that the U.S. economy is the number one in the world and seventeen times greater than Mexico’s (we’re the 12th largest economy) and that the U.S. GDP per capita is $80,300 per year, 20% higher than in 2020. (Mexico’s is $14,000, ranked 66th globally). From an economic standpoint, the data screams that “America is great now.” However, no one is ever satisfied, and he used this to his advantage, exploiting the smallest discomforts. It’s like living in a multi-million dollar mansion but being dissatisfied because the pool isn’t three meters longer, and bitterly blaming the neighbor for their land interfering with the expansion, or because their house doesn’t look as ostentatious and detracts from ours.
After the January 6th Capitol riot, many of us were convinced that it was the end of his political career and that he would spend the rest of his days defending himself in court or as an outcast at Mar-a-Lago, posting tirades on social media. We were wrong. His movement rose from the ashes like a phoenix, stronger than ever. Whether defending gun ownership or condemning the planet, his return to the White House will come with the greatest conviction of omnipotence and immunity we’ve ever seen from a contemporary American leader.
In retrospect, and recalling the events of his previous term, this time I will do things differently. Instead of keeping track of his new blunders and antics, instead of pleasing algorithms that reinforce his cult of personality, I will refrain from opening reels, news articles, commenting in forums, or even writing his name on the World Wide Web.
A beloved date is approaching for American neighbors, a time when they usually gather and share, celebrating racial harmony and giving thanks for the blessings life has given them. Exactly one month later, they’ll sing “Silent Night, Holy Night,” wishing everyone happiness. What a delirious era we’re going through!
Undoubtedly, I’m sure I don’t hate anyone who voted for him, even though after the election, an alert went off telling me that, even if just a little, they might hate me.
I’m so conflicted that I’d rather share a recipe for a delicious red pozole.
Pozole:
1 kg pork neck or loin, or a mix, medium pieces
500g precooked white hominy for pozole
½ large white onion, large pieces
3 dried guajillo chiles, deseeded
½ tbsp ground cumin
1 garlic clove, peeled
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
For serving:
Radishes to taste
Lettuce or cabbage to taste
Chopped white onion to taste
Dried oregano to taste
Dried or powdered chili to taste
Limes
Tostadas or bread
Preparation:
- Wash the precooked pozole corn under running water.
- Place it in a large pot with plenty of water and cook until soft and the kernels have burst, about 50 to 70 minutes.
- Place the onion, garlic, and pork in a separate pot. Cover with 3.5 liters of water and cook over medium heat for 1 hour or until the meat is tender.
- Once cooked, remove the onion and garlic from the broth. Take the meat out and shred it (don’t discard the cooking water, as you’ll add the sauce and other ingredients to it).
- Using a spoon or skimmer, remove any foam that forms on the surface.
- Boil 2 cups of water and pour into a blender. Add the chiles (deseeded) along with the cumin and garlic you removed from the pot (optional).
- Blend until smooth and pour into the pork cooking water.
- Add the shredded meat, cooked hominy, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook covered for 60 to 80 minutes over low heat. Taste for seasoning and serve hot.
- You can prepare it in the morning and leave it on the stove (with the heat off) for the pozole to rest and develop more flavor, or serve immediately.
- Serve hot with radishes, cabbage or lettuce, onion, dried oregano, lime, and chili powder.
Notes:
MEAT: Sometimes, instead of using 1 kg of pork neck, I use 500g of pork stew meat. I like both options, so you can choose whichever appeals to you or use your favorite cut of meat.
COOKING TIME: The longer you let it cook, the more the flavors will meld, and it will taste richer.
El Eco Personal 