VULGAR DISPLAYS OF IDENTITY
There are times when life particles align themselves into iconic constellations to teach us a lesson. You know, like when you pay attention for the fist time to, say, India because in the same week you make a new acquaintance from there, read a book about the country, try its food for the first time, and realize you really want to go there. Re-reading Octavio Paz´s Labyrinth of Solitude (by the way, a mandatory book for Mexicans, especially those who´ve spent a long time abroad) triggered one of those constellation moments for me. The first part of the book is devoted to understanding the pachuco (zoot suit) movement of the 1930´s-40´s. According to Paz, the whole movement, most emblematically represented by a style of dressing was but a reaction to a multi-dimensional rejection, coming both from the inside and outside, as well as from their Mexican past and American present and future. The pachuco then, in a desperate effort to find his place in society, does so most ea...