Latin-American Studies

The Phantom Discourse, a self-published play by Adrian Molina (Molina, A. 2007) is an allegorical portrayal of the challenges of minorities, in particular Mexicans, in America. The lead character is New School, a young Mexican who is at a crossroads of his life. The entire play centers on the struggles of New School with issues and stigmas that surround his very heritage. The three other principal characters in the play are La Muerte (Death), Old School, and Chicanisma. Each of them brings in a different aspect of Mexican life in America. La Muerte is a depiction of how death is viewed by Pre-Columbian Mexico (Molina, A. 2007). As oppose to the dark and cold illustration of death, La Muerte is positive, often bubbly and most definitely attached to life. Old School represents the more skeptical aspect of minorities towards the system. Chicanisma, from the name alone, symbolizes the fight of minorities to preserve their culture amidst the strong influences of their new surroundings. Chicanisma is a term used to describe this activist movement.

The play openly discusses the issues that minorities have to overcome in a different world from where they come from. It puts to light the stereotyping of Mexicans in America and how difficult it is to rise above its limiting effects.

Poverty, discrimination, and the effort to achieve a sense of identity are highlighted. For years Mexicans have been labeled unfairly. They are looked upon as an uneducated group that brings forth nothing but trouble. They are always associated with gangs, drugs, and violence. And while some of these things are unfortunately true, they have been unfairly generalized. This generalization is what the  new  Mexicans have to fight against.

In this play New School is portrayed as a young Mexican with a bright future. He recently graduated from Law School. He actively helps in his community. He teaches the young and enlightens them toward better choices. However New School has to deal with the internal prodding of his past. His past as characterized by Old School is not really his personal past but it is the deeply rooted image of his culture. Old School simply means the old ways of doing things. In the fight of minorities it means actively going against the system. It is rebelling against the Institution, and consistently combating for self-identity and acceptance. This is how the old used to do it.

New School is the Mexican of the 21st century. He is probably the first in his family to have a good education. He is probably the only one with a great future. However he is still viewed as a  Chicano  with all the negativity of this term.

New School does not only have to contend with the  white man  who still places him in the mold of the old. His challenge also comes from his very own people who question his motives and choices. He is labeled as a  sell-out . In their eyes New School has forgotten the fight for respect and credence.

Young Mexicans today are given more opportunities to improve their lives. They no longer have to fall prey to the notions of the past. However, young Mexicans must build confidence within themselves. This is one of the issues New School was fighting against in the play. Instead of using his past as building block for his future, he is left confused with what to do with it.

Being a minority is always going to be difficult. It does not matter whether Mexican, African American, or Asian. The obstacles are the same and the trials equally tough. If there is one lesson to be learned from the  Phantom Discourse  it is that people make their own future. It does not matter where we came from. What matters is that we know who we are, what we are capable of, and where we want to go.

Young Mexicans have more choices today. The keys to making the right decision are first knowing and accepting their heritage, and second using them as foundation for the future. The fight continues for a sense of identity and it should always begin with embracing the past.