More than a club

            Nowadays in many American states it is usual to find a lot of Basque clubs that promote the Basque culture in the USA. It is said that these Basque clubs are becoming ghettos. It is incredible that those people think that the Basque clubs are only simple ghettos, when the aim of these institutions is to promote the Basque culture.

            In fact, the activities that they do are opened to everyone. For example, activities like the “Annual Big Picnic” have been visited by people from all around the world. Everyone that wants to go to a Basque club has the chance to go.

“The memberships of the Basque clubs are ordinary people of American society: teachers, ranchers, lawyers… So, they don´t need any help to integrate in their society”. Words said by Marilou Onaindia (secretary of the Kern County Basque Club). Moreover, she also said that the fact that Basque people were white and catholic also facilitated the integration. However, although Basque clubs are opened to the world, usually only Basques and Basque descendents can became members.

In conclusion, the best tool to integrate in a society is willingness. Basque Clubs are only spaces where nostalgia becomes happyness and a showcase opened to the world to show our culture, that is to say, Basque culture.