Mexican rodeo hubbub

I can think of a number of reasons why I might be concerned if someone living near me wanted special use permits to hold some sort of rodeo: noise, traffic and litter come to mind. But if that event has a Latino theme, then suddenly the issue shifts and broader suspicion takes hold. Such is the case in eastern Union County, southeast of Charlotte.

A farmer (with the improbable name of “Pinky”) sees profit with the growth of the Latino—particularly Mexican—population: “It would be a Mexican-inspired rodeo of sorts, with Mexican music and dancing, a petting zoo, and possibly horse racing.” One opponent filmed the open house he held to show how his plans would bring destruction and mayhem. At the Board of Adjustments meeting, she showed the video, and when it focused in on a sign in Spanish, she said, “I don’t know what that says.” I suppose she thought it might say, “For Al Qaeda sign up here,” but instead it was an advertisement to buy sandwiches. There were also menacing children being pushed in strollers by their parents.

This story is akin to restaurants accepting pesos, the Latin American-themed mall, and any number of other projects popping up around the country. Capitalism is bringing change, in a way that makes some people uncomfortable. Some see scary sandwich signs while others see dollar signs.