World Cup brings Mexican flags back to streets of Los Angeles

Los Angeles Times / latimes.com ^ | June 25, 2010 | By Hector Becerra, Los Angeles Times

[thecodont]

The Mexican flag is back on the streets of Los Angeles after several years of political exile.

Four years ago, Miguel Haro was among half a million people who marched for immigrant rights in downtown L.A. At the urging of organizers and Spanish-language disc jockeys, he left his Mexican flag at home and waved an American flag instead.

Concerned that the Mexican flag carried the wrong message, Mexican American political leaders and other activists launched a largely successful effort to have people at public events, particularly protest marches, wave the American flag, believing it to be a better symbol for their case.

But with the World Cup in full swing, Haro proudly has affixed his Mexican flag to his Toyota RAV4 and cheered for the team of his parents. The American flag is fine for politics, he said, but this is soccer.

"My allegiance is to America, no doubt about it, and I'd think I wouldn't have to prove it," said Haro, a 25-year-old utility worker. "But when I wave the Mexican flag for soccer, it's strictly cultural. It's showing I'm proud of my Mexican background."

[thecodont]

"Some longtime immigration activists are pleased to see the flag back on the street after years of relative political banishment."

[Flag_This]

Wait, I’m getting all misty-eyed.

[TruthHound]

Back?!? Dude, I live here and you see more Mexican flags than old glory any day by far!

[max americana]

Yep, witnessed it myself here in Hollywood. They have no allegiance to America. In hindsight, I’d be pissed off too if I was taking it up the arse economically from rich gringos..

[SandRat]

So.. then I can wave my Scots, Irish, German, and Engish flags?

[al baby]

Im so sick of this crap. When can I fly my Scotch and soda flag I sure hope it turns into a civil war at least then we can get busy

[max americana]

Did you see the cover of HOY! ?

It had the cover of Donovan’s goal on the frontpage. Everyone who follows soccer in this state knows mexicans have a dislike for Donovan, regardless of LA Galaxy..

[BobP]

WAKE UP AMERICA

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[pnh102]

[BallyBill]

I know how he feels. Every time I fly my old German flag the neighbors get nervous around here too.

"Ach, ist just mine flag und my granparentz."

[Altura Ct.]

"My allegiance is to America, no doubt about it, and I'd think I wouldn't have to prove it," said Haro, a 25-year-old utility worker. "But when I wave the Mexican flag for soccer, it's strictly cultural. It's showing I'm proud of my Mexican background."

Really? What a load of BS. What about American you POS. GFY and all your mexican loving AH's.

[Altura Ct.]

"My allegiance is to America, no doubt about it, and I'd think I wouldn't have to prove it," said Haro, a 25-year-old utility worker. "But when I wave the Mexican flag for soccer, it's strictly cultural. It's showing I'm proud of my Mexican background."

Really? What a load of BS. What about American you POS. GFY and all your mexican loving AH's.

[wideawake]

They really do have a point - as Senor Haro explains, his allegiance is to America and it's ridiculous that he would have to prove it.

He's flying the Mexican flag because his ancestors are Mexican and Mexico's team has advanced to the 2nd round of the Cup.

I mean, if America had a national soccer team and it managed to advance to the 2nd round, maybe his critics would have had a point - but who other than Mexico could a proud American root for these days at the World Cup?

Maybe one day in the future there might be an American team in the World Cup - maybe even one with a captain whose ancestors were Mexican like Senor Haro's (what a wonderful, crazy dream!) - a team that would be really easy to root for, you know, like one going into the Cup as underdogs and advancing from their group by scoring an overtime goal at the last possible minute . . . but until something like that happens, Senor Haro pretty much has to root for Mexico.

[elcid1970]

Whoa, dogies!!!

Burning a Mexican flag!!? What’s next, patriotic shouts of “Remember the Alamo”?

You’ve made my entire day, bro!

:^)

[Honorary Serb]

I dunno. I was rooting for Serbia in the World Cup, but now they’ve been eliminated.

And with what’s going on in Arizona right now, I’m not so keen on the Mexican flag.

[Vince Ferrer]

Concerned that the Mexican flag carried the wrong message, Mexican American political leaders and other activists launched a largely successful effort to have people at public events, particularly protest marches, wave the American flag

Actually, they were concerned that it was sending the right message.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

^__^

[dfwgator]

Well guess what Pedro, after Argentina drubs Meh-hee-koo out of the tournament, the US will still be in it. Put THAT in your burrito.

[nonliberal]

Tell me again why Arizona didn’t cut their power.