Hola Beechview!

A friend of Dish who moved to Pittsburgh back in the late '90s -- the fellow was a native of the Real Midwest: Iowa -- once remarked, "I never knew there were so many different kinds of white people."

Apparently in this guy's experience, Hungarian surnames were quite exotic. Really, though, for a very, very long time, he's been quite right. The sum total of Pittsburgh diversity: loads of different kinds of white people. Such was the immigrant stock when this area was ramping up toward becoming an industrial powerhouse (R.I.P).

Things seem to be changing. Slowly. For example, an apartment complex in Scott Township (forgive Dish, it forgets the place's name) is a mini New Dehli. And, the Post-Gazette reported today, Beechview has taken on the look of Chihuahua (the Mexican state, not the pocket dog).

Our Caucasian chums seem chuffed.

Reporter Diana Nelson Jones writes:

In just a few years, Latinos -- mostly Mexicans -- moving into Beechview have created the most concentrated Latino population in the city, according to several sources.

This is a watershed moment for Pittsburgh, where the Latino presence, small by any U.S. large-city standards, has grown steadily but never established an enclave. Jim Bryce estimates the population to be "several hundred, at least, just in Beechview," based on the names he recognizes as Latino on mail he delivers for the U.S. Postal Service. ...

Here, Nelson Jones does a good job of drawing out at least some idea of how many Hispanics have alighted in Beechview. No census since 2000, no really reliable info regarding ethnicity in 2005. Not only does the postman ring more than once but less than thrice, he (or she) usually has a pretty good grip on what's happening along the route.

However, Bryce should be made aware of Dish chum Christina Rios. She gets Spanish language mail and is solicited by various and sundry Latino groups and causes. She's of Scottish descent, 6'2" and red-headed. Not a drop of Latin blood. It's a long story but one that concludes with the old saw about books and covers and judgment.

Nevertheless, Bryce provides some insight. Don Bell provided another sort of insight, that being that there are more than a few -- Um, what's the word here? Ignorant? Misguided? Racist? That's it, racist -- racist people in Beechview. Nelson Jones continues:

Some longtime residents are far from excited about the new immigrants.

Don Bell, president of the Beechview Merchants Association, said residents at a recent Weed and Seed meeting "expressed concern about the rapid influx of Mexicans, of the illegals who have no rights and can be easily exploited, and issues such as over-occupancy and health code violations."

"Someone asked, 'How do we know there aren't ads in grocery stores in Mexico that say 'Move to Beechview,' " he said. ...

Yep, Weed & Seeders, you're dead on there. Filthy with a tendency to overcrowd. You've pretty much encapsulated the nature of an entire population. And in so few words. Be proud. Be proud.

Furthermore, the paraphrased Weed & Seed attendee underestimates the impetus that compelled Mexicans to move to Beechview. It wasn't because of a posted ad; rather a cover story in the March issue of Illegal Immigrant Monthly. Dish subscribes. It is considering infiltrating a small Tyrolean village and destroying it by being loud, overweight and myopic Americans. That and opening a McDonald's franchise.

What follows, however, is most disturbing. Back to Nelson Jones:

Samantha Franco has heard derogatory references to Mexicans in the store she owns with her husband, Saul Jimenez, and some in Beechview say they haven't dined at Maya because they see too many Mexicans inside.

Casual racial epithets are one thing, honky. However, when someone refuses to dine in a Mexican restaurant because the place is overpopulated with Mexicans, that not only belies a deep-seated racism but a really lousy point of view when it comes to choosing where to grab some ethnic food.

Taco Bell and Chi-Chi's await your business.

Photo: The encroaching menace. Illustration: Which way to Beechview, Hombre?