Racism is still prevalent in the South.
The clencher: African Americans are becoming more equal.
So then, who's being treeated unfairly?
Our more Southern neighbors.
People today are in outrage over the influx of Hispanic immigrants. You know, supposedly people who work harder than most Americans to earn a living are enemies to us. You know, we can't have people making us Americans look bad.
In the area where I live, there is a very large, and continually growing, Hispanic population. They dominate in the construction field because local companies know that the Hispanics will work hard for less pay. People are complaining that Hispanics are taking American jobs, but in reality, Americans don't want to work those jobs. They don't realize that Hispanics are helping the industry and economy.
Another thing, I can't stand it when people say that Hispanics shouldn't be here if they can't speak our language. Well, honestly, the language of America is not necessarily English anymore. Foreign languages are almost just as prominent as English now. We shouldn't discriminate over a language barrier. These people come here for a better opportunity, and we are just to lazy to help them out. Where I work, most people won't even bother to help Hispanics because they don't want to "waste their time with someone who can't even speak their language." I personally am trying to overcome the language barrier as I have become fluent in spanish.
Lastly, please, do not refer to all Hispanics as Mexicans. They are NOT all Mexican. If someone is Hispanic, they could be Mexican, Colombian, Puerto Rican, Chilean, etc. So don't assume they are all Mexicans! Calling them Mexicans is like calling all Americans Yankees. I know some Southerners who would be outraged at that. So take it into account!
We had a database server problem earlier today that caused this post (and one or two others) to appear more than once for a period of time.
Sorry for the incovenience -- growing pains!
Jessica
I live in an area where hispanics are the majority, but even the hispanics call eachother mexicans and many of the hispanics take that as an insult.
Racism is such a bad thing, but the worst part is that it will be present until the end of time. No matter how many equality between races is gained, there's still racism. If you take just African Americans, for example, there's racism between the darker and lighter blacks.
Racism isn't just prevalent in the South; it's everywhere. Even with only causcasions there's racism between "blue collar" and "white collar people", rich and poor people, men and women, people of different religions. Everything.
And racism isn't an inborn characteristic. No baby is born hating a certain group of people. They learn prejudices from years of witnessing their parents and peers being racist towards people, even in subtle ways.
People really need to be more accepting. But I don't know if that day will ever really come.
As much as I would like racism to end, I think you're right. I don't think there will ever be a day where every single person will be able to look at everyone as equal. It's sad, but it's true.
~1 luv~
~Elle~
Living in New Mexico, I can tell you, Guatamalans, Costa Ricans, etc are indeed offended at being called Mexican.
If you see my picture, you can clearly tell I'm not Mexican. However, I'm occasionally called one and it is indeed annoying. What I find sad though is the fact that even Hispanics will refer to Hispanics of darker complexion as Mexicans. We as a people need to see the irony in that comment.
Just like they can't tell the difference between Asians. We are not all Chinese, doggoneit.
You are the first person ever from this blog, other than me (an immigrant) that knows what she is talking about, congrats!
I want to say thank you for writing this article. It means a lot ot me as not only a hispanic but also a Mexican as well. There are times that I struggle with hearing people constanly reffering to Mexicans. It's even tougher when you hear your own mother being called a "wet-back". It's great to see people like you that are aware of this problem and it is important that many people knwo about this becuase you are right, they aren't all Mexicans. I am half Mexican half Puerto Rican, yet I am told that I look more Mexican. Thank you again. Your article was well written!!
There's also Salvadoreans around here too. Thank you for writing this. It's obvious that hispanics are from several countries down south, but sometimes people need to be told that.