Category Archives: Citizens

I was recently reading an incredibly interesting book, called False Mystics, about the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico that discusses what is known as “Double Mistaken Identity.”  Double Mistaken Identity is most commonly used by Mexican ethno-historians in describing how, according to historian Nora Jaffary, “Catholic proselytizers and indigenous peoples misinterpret[ed] each others religious systems.”  James Lockhart, in Nahuas after the Conquest, offers a definition of double mistaken identity in his discussion of how both Spaniards and Nahuas presumed a sense of shared commonalities between each other based on their religious beliefs.  Lockhart explains that in these situations, “each side takes it that a given form or concept is essentially one already known to it, operating in much the same manner as in its own tradition, and hardly take cognizance of the other side’s interpretation.”

This made me think how we can apply double mistaken identity to our own lives today, and in the process of realizing its occurrence in our lives, make the world a little bit better.  Misunderstandings, lack of tolerance, and a supposed supreme ethnocentric mentality creates the foundation for much of the hatred and feelings of ill will that both immigrants and citizens sometimes feel towards each other.  Perhaps if we can overcome the inclination to presume somebody knows or understands something simply because it is so ingrained in us we take it for granted, perhaps a more complete and true understanding can occur between peoples with differing world views and systems of belief.  I realize I am generally preaching to the choir here, but if perhaps we can educate at least one person regarding the nature of immigration in the United States we can hopefully lay a foundation for immigrants (undocumented and documented) and citizens to find a true commonality in our humanity in a fashion that allows for all peoples to partake of the wonderful benefits our great nation has to offer.