Charros

Agustin Gurza’s politically correct column (Sept. 14) on the charro failed to mention that had it not been for the French invasion forces sent by Napoleon III that brought Maximilian, a prince from Austria-Hungary’s Hapsburg family, the charro as we know it may have never been conceived.

For it was Maximilian who single-handedly made it popular and fashionable. It was his suit of choice while in Mexico. It also became the suit of choice among the upper class for weddings--marriage in French, which became mariachi. Maximilian’s French tailors took common cowboy fare and modified and styled it to the smart and stylish, embroidered black outfits common to the mariachi musicians we see today.

EDWIN SANCHEZ

Arcadia