FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The University of South Alabama Baldwin County Distinguished Lecture Series continues this weekend with a conversation ripped right from the headlines.

Dr. Stephen D. Morris, director of international studies and a professor of political science at USA, will discuss “Gringolandia: Mexican Identity and Perceptions of the United States.” The lecture will begin Saturday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m., in the USABC Performance Center, on the corner of St. James Avenue and Summit Street in Fairhope.

Morris’ talk will focus on Mexico’s view of the United States and how it has been characterized as predominantly anti-American. He will also look at how recent policy changes in Mexico, culminating with adoption of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), mark a fundamental transformation in the relationship.

Questions about the impact of these policy shifts on Mexican nationalism and perception of the United States will be answered, according to a description of the event released by the university.

Morris said, “I’ll talk about how Mexico as a country views the United States and how those perceptions affect how they view how they are and their national identity as a country. In general, they have a very complex and not necessarily a non-contradictory view. They see the U.S. as an opportunity for jobs.”

Likewise, they see Mexico as a place where such opportunities are few and far between, he added.

“They always admired the U.S. for its prosperity, but they believe the prosperity comes at a cost. Certain aspects of the U.S. they admire and others they don’t. It plays off aspects of their own country they like and don’t.” Morris said. “They see Americans as racist and less spiritual. They don’t trust the U.S., and see it motivated by its self interests.”

Part of that mistrust, he said, is based in part on Mexico losing half of its territory to the United States in a time of war so long ago. The recent attention being paid to immigration, is upsetting to them as well.

Morris said, “They think of the immigration issue in economic and social justice terms. They make money and send it back to their family. We see immigration as a security issue.”

The events of Sept. 11, 2001 certainly made us begin looking more closely at our borders, and who is crossing them.

“In many ways, they (U.S. officials) were set to come to some type of agreement (on immigration),” according to Morris. “After 9/11, it was more off the stove than just on the back burner.”

Morris noted Hispanics sense that the outsourcing of U.S. jobs, and the encroachment of terrorism inside our borders, are both somehow thought to be the fault of those hoping to legitimately come here in search of a new beginning.

He pointed out that although none of the 9/11 hijackers crossed our southern border, “from the Mexican perspective, the Mexicans get blamed for a lot of U.S. ills.”

How can these perceptions on both side of the fence be changed?

Morris said, “Part of that (change) deals with the treatment of the illegals here. The U.S. is struggling to come to grips with who it is in terms of the expanding Mexican language and culture. A lot of Mexicans are working and contributing to the U.S. prosperity and economy, and they think they’re not liked, or the U.S. is trying to get rid of them.”

There are currently somewhere between 12 million and 20 million illegals in the U.S, depending on who you ask.

Morris said, “One thing that would resolve the differences (in perception) is to solve the immigration problem. But, building a wall would complicate it.”

Meanwhile, the Mexican government is trying to address the issue of disparity in prosperity, he said. Morris added officials there would prefer to have good jobs in their country, but are ridiculous if they think salaries in Mexico would soon be on par with those in the U.S.

Morris has written three books — his most recent being Gringolandia: Mexican Identity and Perceptions of the United States. He is also working on a companion volume to Gringolandia that will focus on US perceptions of Mexico.

Books will be available for purchase the night of the lecture, and there will be a book-signing by the author.

Dr. Christine Bogar, USA assistant director of student services, said, “The Distinguished Lecture Series brings local experts with regional, national and international acclaim to the Baldwin County campus in Fairhope. Community members are invited to join our students, faculty and staff for these extraordinary lectures, guaranteed to enlighten and inform us on topics that really matter.”

The lecture series is free, but reservations are requested. Call 928-8133 or e-mail USABC@usouthal.edu to reserve a seat.