Horsin’ Around
Don Coldsmith, Syndicated Columnist
Originally published 02:04 p.m., April 7, 2008
Updated 02:04 p.m., April 7, 2008
I WAS PREPARED to be unimpressed. Another interpretive dancer — we were at one of the luncheon meetings during the annual convention of Western Writers of America in El Paso. But by the time Rosa Guerrero had finished her program, I realized that here was a very special person. Smart, pretty, gifted, a marvelous interpreter not only of dance but of life. She lectured as she danced, demonstrating the richness of America’s heritage.
I was impressed, too, by a printed flier which had been placed on each table, explaining her program and its philosophy. I spoke to her afterward and received permission to use it. I don’t usually use the writing of others, but this is special. Here are selected thoughts from Rosa Guerrero’s “Our Multicultural Tapestry.”
“Our country is a multicultural tapestry, a mosaic of many people. Each group that represents our land is unique and different. Because of our differentness, we can all contribute something important to the fabric of the American Life. Therefore, each person is special and unequaled.
When God created the earth, He also created a diversified spectrum of birds, flowers, rainbows and human beings. Thank God for all the differentness. How dull it would be if all of us were the same.
Our traditional folkways are beautiful yet different. We must try to respect the differentness of others. In our culture, with our languages, customs and values we can demonstrate to the world our diversified folkways.
But what is an American? Is he not a combination of many beautiful cultural groups that make up a tapestry? As a former educator for the El Paso public schools for 20 years, I have told my students how beautiful they are. Whether they are black, brown or white, they are special. In the classroom or during my cultural dance presentations, I have tried to show my students that we are all part of a great cultural flow. We are all Americans who, because of our cultural heritage, contribute something unique to the fabric of American life. We are threads that are woven into a multicultural tapestry, the fabric of American life. We are like the notes in a chord of music — if all the notes were the same there would be no harmony — no real beauty —because harmony is based on differences, not similarities. This is as true in human relations as it is in music. So I try to teach my students how we can be proud of our differences — how to respect the differentness of others. This — to me — is what my country is all about.
You are Special, you are so very Special. You are different, so great and unique. Look around you — no one in the world is like you. That is why you are so outstanding and so very unique.
Be proud of yourselves, of your culture and heritage. Develop a strong, healthy identity. Never be ashamed of who you are, but strive every day to be a better person. Each day could be your last one, there might not be a tomorrow. All of us have time — how you use it is up to you. Use it wisely, for we are all on borrowed time.
Be positive every day.”
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but you can’t,
it is almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will,
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
— Walter D. Wintle
Thank you, Rosa.
See you down the road.