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Friday, September 11, 2009

Land of Enchantment, Centennial of Poverty

By Moises Venegas
Quinto Sol
      New Mexico, so beautiful. The Land of Enchantment.
       In New Mexico we have a longer history as a populated state than most states in this country. We have a diverse population as well as diversity in our environment. How great to travel north from Carlsbad to Ruidoso, Socorro, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and stop for a rest in Taos. We couldn't ask for much more.
       There have been many plans for economic development in New Mexico since statehood in 1912. Still, New Mexico ranks 48th in the nation for poverty. Educators remind us the reason New Mexico ranks close to the bottom in student performance is because of poverty. Can we improve on that rank?
       As always, with these types of negative rankings, we find ourselves in the company of southern states like Mississippi (50th) and Louisiana (49th). In terms of poverty, why do we look like the South rather than our border states of Arizona, Colorado and Texas?
       With so many reforms and economic development programs why have we not improved? What happened to Tesla, Eclipse and Mesa del Sol? We now wait for the coming of the Spaceport. Are New Mexicans going to be employed there, or will they bring the work force from outside the state?
       Having traveled, worked and lived in Texas, California and Colorado, I decided to come home in the mid-80s. I was coming home to mother, state and this Land of Enchantment. I knew that when I left, poverty existed in New Mexico. I also knew that times change. I thought economic improvements had been made and that perhaps part of the past poverty record had been buried. But I was reminded by noted author William Faulkner, “The past isn't dead and buried. In fact it isn't even past.” New Mexicans, we all love our state; so I wonder, why remain so poor?
       There are certain practices and characteristics that have created poverty for many years. A friend of mine, a professional who now lives in Arizona, tells me, “New Mexico would rather be unique than efficient.”
       Those words bring to mind our unique multicultural state, the mesas and the mountains, Juan de Oñate, Navajos and the Pueblos.
       We have thousands of tourists come to New Mexico for the Indian Market, Hispanic Market and the international folk art gatherings. We think of the uniqueness of Taos, Santa Fe and Silver City.
       Whenever we host a national conference we are sure to provide Native American dancers, mariachis, matachines, ballet folklorico and flamenco dancers.
       So unique. But why are we so poor, especially Nuevo Mejicanos?
       There are many Pueblos along the Rio Grande beginning in Taos and also the Navajos and Jicarilla and Mescalero Apaches. Are these areas in a “state of poverty” like the rest of New Mexico? Only if you consider a 50 percent unemployment rate to be poverty. What would it be like if we did not have Indian gambling casinos!
       One other factor to assess is the federal government expenditure in the state. We may be blessed in New Mexico with the investments by the Sandia and Los Alamos labs in addition to the Air Force bases throughout the state and White Sands. The latest figures indicate that New Mexico ranks fifth with $24 billion in federal money spent in the state. On a per capita basis New Mexico ranks fourth for per capita spending at $10,650; Virginia is first with $14,200. Is the federal government helping our economic development?
       Fred Mondragon, state economic director, we need your help. We would not want to celebrate our state centennial in 2012 thinking about our culture of poverty.
       Moises Venegas is executive director of Quinto Sol, a community development and research organization.
       

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