This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land?

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Almost a month ago, I moved to Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.

That's the same Arizona with the extremely controversial SB 1070 aiming to enforce the toughest measures against illegal immigration anywhere in the country. I came to earn a dual-degree in Law and Latin American Studies, hoping to spend at least four years here and work on the immigration issues currently causing such chaos. It's a good thing I like a challenge, eh? My first impressions might be harsh but in this desert, such severity surrounds us.

First things first: it's hot. The first couple of days I spent here had high temperatures over 110F. Everyone who says that it's hot but it's okay because there's no humidity is a liar. Go hug a saguaro. Thanks to the current monsoon season, we get some pretty wicked thunder storms but this is no dry heat. I really can't complain at all as I have air conditioning for the first time in my life but I think the heat gets to folks out here. And I can't blame them. If I were working in construction right now I would probably last until about 10 a.m. my first morning at which time I would melt into a puddle. It's literally hellish if you have to do work outside at mid-day. My Mum, whose wisdom I generally trust across a wide array of topics, constantly reminds me that climate is extremely influential upon a culture. I read once that the ancient Greeks also believed strongly in this. So, it being hot is almost certainly relevant.

The local society seems to be based predominantly upon two activities: shopping and driving. This is of course self-perpetuating as the shopping is mostly done in large malls outside of town to which one must drive. NPR informed me the other day that 3/4 of the whole U.S. economy is based on consumer purchases. There is an underlying current of consumerism and general dissatisfaction with current possessions, which forces people to rush to a store to upgrade, often on credit. If we are still feeling the lingering effects of the economic recession, it is not manifested in a lack of shopping opportunities. To me, it seems that there are things to buy everywhere I turn. Most of it is much less expensive than its Canadian counterpart. Especially cheap is liquor/beer/wine. I should research whether or not this correlates with increased incidence of alcoholism or binge drinking among students. Students probably just budget much less for alcohol and much more for tuition.

Back to the driving aspect of this culture (term used loosely): I do not have a car and do not want to have a car. This fact perplexes people here. Everything seems to be built for people in massive SUVs. Gas is cheap and public transit (currently on strike) is considered to be only for the impoverished. Allegedly the most bike-able city in America, Tucson does have some cyclist lanes but this does not stop motorists from trying to mow me down as I ride along beside them. Today, I was in a left turn lane at a busy intersection and the car behind me came around to pass me on the right in the middle of the intersection and then cut me off to turn into a strip mall. Emergency shopping to be done, no doubt.

Not to be entirely negative, the people here in Tucson have been largely very kind and eager to help me settle in. My neighbors are great. I have long held the belief that Americans tend to be outgoing and gregarious, which can make them seem obnoxious to more closed cultures but can also make them really fun and generous of spirit. Yes, there is definitely a whole lot of racism, xenophobia and general intolerance in this country. There is plenty of fear and loathing in this country. Most of it is not directed as me as a white Canadian and instead I am met with confusion and mild interest when I speak in Metric. I am going to meet people here with economic/political/social beliefs diametrically opposed to my own. I think that this will be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

Overall, I am going to have a good time living in Tucson but I may always feel like a foreigner and a bit of an anthropologist. I have long been much more at home (and felt much more safe!) in Mexico than in the U.S.A. I am absolutely optimistic that I will genuinely enjoy the debates and discussions that will arise in part because of the tension and conflict that is so evident here. I am safe and comfortable and, dare I say, happy. I hope that you are too. As always, please comment with disagreements, questions, concerns, or similar.

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Comments

[Michael Peiffer aka Daddyo]

Hot Topic
Hey Peanut, Thanks for the Woody Guthrie quote in the title. I agree the Sonoran desert is a trifle warm this time of year. Maybe that is why the beer is cheap ? Anyway, so glad you are looking at your life and surroundings and trying to understand everything. Enjoy the opportunity, your new education challenges, and new friends. If you ride your bike tonight, wear white. Love your blogs. MP

[Mum]

sociology experiment
So interesting to be there during such a tough immigration debate. I am looking forward to our future family discussions of your studies- official and not-. I wonder what issues would ensue if BC was previously a US state or Washington was once Canadian... or the media didn't make us feel unhappy with ourselves or our possessions. PS climate is everything and most successful cities are on a river or ocean... I think

[Cassie]

Your initial impressions parallel my assumptions of what Arizona is like, given that I've never been there. Looking forward to future reflections!