At this point in my life there is a whole bunch of shit I want to get accomplished and most of it doesn't involve social networking. That said, anyone who wants to get a hold of me can email me at bendelagarzaguitar@gmail.com . You can also hit me up on youtube, which I still check on pretty regularly.
Thanks much.
-Ben
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Matamoros *update*
Mexico has a culture that has been scarred by the drug trade, intimidation, rampant murder and brutality.
And if the people want to turn things around, a good start would be to change the names of some of the towns. Right across the border lies Matamoros, a poverty-stricken town that I visited in 2007. It is also home to the many atrocities I mentioned. The name "Matamoros" means literally: Kill the Moors. The Moors were a religious group, an Islamist sect, that the Catholic Church attempted to eradicate during the Inquisition. Can you imagine if there were a town in the US called "Kill the (fill in blank here)". That's the kind of label that promotes a violent culture. Would changing the name of a town stop the murder? Probably not. But it would be a good start.
*update*
I thought that the US would never name a town after the murder of a group of people.
Well, I was wrong. In fact, there is a town with nearly the same name and meaing in Pennsylvania. It was actually named after the town in Mexico:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matamoras,_Pennsylvania
The fact that it's in Spanish doesn't change the fact that it means: "Kill the Moors".
And if the people want to turn things around, a good start would be to change the names of some of the towns. Right across the border lies Matamoros, a poverty-stricken town that I visited in 2007. It is also home to the many atrocities I mentioned. The name "Matamoros" means literally: Kill the Moors. The Moors were a religious group, an Islamist sect, that the Catholic Church attempted to eradicate during the Inquisition. Can you imagine if there were a town in the US called "Kill the (fill in blank here)". That's the kind of label that promotes a violent culture. Would changing the name of a town stop the murder? Probably not. But it would be a good start.
*update*
I thought that the US would never name a town after the murder of a group of people.
Well, I was wrong. In fact, there is a town with nearly the same name and meaing in Pennsylvania. It was actually named after the town in Mexico:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matamoras,_Pennsylvania
The fact that it's in Spanish doesn't change the fact that it means: "Kill the Moors".
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
NYC Show
Thanks to any and all who came out to hear me and Colleen last night at El Taller Latino Americano in the Bronx. It was a blast, with many talented musicians on the roster. I did the NYC 180 where I drove to the city, played the gig, and immediately drove back to Syracuse after the show. My brother Dave came along for the ride, and for once we encountered worse weather Downstate than Up. Thankfully no snow back home.
I look forward to future trips to the Big Apple. Great city and people. Muchas gracias a todos presente anoche.
I look forward to future trips to the Big Apple. Great city and people. Muchas gracias a todos presente anoche.
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