Yes, Mexico Is North American, Too : Free trade: Can the three countries sharing the continent find a human commonality?

Now that a free-trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada is in the works, questions about our common future are being raised. One of the most interesting is, can there be a common North American identity among the three countries that form the continent?

Geography has done its part; in that sense we are united forever. It is now up to the people to bring the human and social dimension to this unity.

The very notion of commonality between such disparate partners is difficult to grasp, and mentioning it provokes reactions that range from skepticism to anger to laughter to enthusiasm.

Because of its controversial nature, the issue is often presented in a prejudiced way. It is of course impossible to clear away all of the prejudices about a common identity, but an effort should be made to deal with the most common ones in order to understand the proposition.

More important, if this communal identity is something to be desired, the benefit should be evident to all those involved.

First, the obstacles. Some argue that development of a common identity means a renunciation of one’s own nationality.

This is false. One does not stop being a Mexican when identified as a North American; in the same manner, a Spaniard is also a European. We are dealing with a double identity--one national, the other regional.

Another objection, frequently heard in Mexico, springs from the fear that after a common identity has been established, North America will become a common market, then a federation and then one country: an extended U.S.A.

False again. Not even the first part of this hypothetical second step has been proposed anywhere by anyone.

To establish this communal identity, there should be, first of all, a commonality of purpose, and that has already been spelled out: Mexico, Canada and the United States have decided that it would be to their advantage if they could establish common, clear and permanent rules for free trade on the continent.

Commonality is a worthwhile pursuit if it aims toward equality. Common bonds are built when relations are among equals. Otherwise there is dependency--or worse, bondage.

Among the three countries, there are some areas where commonality exists and some where there is hardly a common ground. Canada and the United States are similar countries; Mexico is different. Some who oppose free trade argue that disparity is the defining feature of the trilateral relationship, culturally, politically and economically.

Culturally, Mexico does not need any confirmation of equality. Its heritage stands proudly on the world’s stage.

Politically, the Mexicans have some catching up to do. Their political culture must reach a decent level of civility if they want to play in the North American league.

Economically, the differences are enormous, forcing the two powerful partners, Canada and the United States, to consider extraordinary ways to achieve parity.

Those who dread commonality and say that it can’t succeed should know that it is already a fact of life in the Southwestern United States, the region once known as Mex-America, the broad border area that stretches from Los Angeles to Ensenada, from San Antonio to Monterrey.

In spite of the conflicts on the border that feed the headlines, there is a much more important and constructive daily exchange between Mexico and the United States that spells commonality. Family, friendship and business bonds between Mexicans and Americans in the border area have been in place for years.

This, unfortunately, is not the case at the centers of power, where there are forces determined to emphasize the differences and sacrifice the similarities. An obsessive fixation with historical episodes, intolerable racism and extreme nationalisms are some of the obstacles that stand in the way of a healthy common identity.

True nationalism, that which desires and works toward a more prosperous, fair and compassionate homeland, could be strengthened with this communal identity.

We who live in this extended border area know that commonality is natural; once it is recognized across the continent, all three countries’ futures will be enhanced.