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shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Double post deleted.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

sickbag · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Blighty

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Sniff...sniff...snort. Shuize, that does indeed smell like bait... Wink

sickbag · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Blighty

[quote="shuize"]
Look, bad sportsmanship aside, if Mexico manages to win the next match, that would pull their record against the U.S. up to only a slightly less pathetic 3-8-1. Hardly anything to write home about. Especially considering it's against a country where soccer, when it's given any thought at all, is usually regarded as the kind of activity pre-adolescents participate in before they're physically fit enough to engage in "real" sports.[/quote]

Maybe you should look at how many of those games have been played in Mexico and how many have been played in the U.S. And when was the last time the U.S. beat Mexico in Mexico (or in a competitive game)? I don't know the answer to this, just an interested onlooker.

Try telling the European based U.S. players that they're not engaged in a 'real' sport.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

sickbag · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Blighty

sickbag · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Blighty

In response to Shuize:

Home advantage makes a big difference. I'm not sure Mexicans use it as an excuse but it does make a difference. I wanted Mexico to win last week but actually placed several (small) bets with my students that the U.S. would win - Mexico just don't have the 'balls' when it comes to winning in the U.S.

As for the U.S. not taking football seriously - long may it continue. I still cringe when I think of the changes to the game that were mooted when the World Cup took place in 1994.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

In Chiapas, at least in my town, and I think in general, there is more classicism than racism. However, being that those that have money so often have a lighter shade of skin, the two can get confused.

I have not, besides one or two people calling me a gringo in the street, experienced any racism for being white. I also always try to treat everyone I meet with respect, speak Spanish, and am friendly.

Many people here have Mayan blood, or as they say indigenous blood, but they do not acknowledge it. I know people who are from the villages outside of San Cristobal that will lie if you ask them where they are from. There is a sentiment of shame with people of darker skin. I think they feel inferior, and are made to feel inferior. I�ve hung out with groups of Mexicans where often the most darkest was made fun of for his skin. Not in a hateful way, or even necessarily cruel, just like how all the guys I know here call each other gay every five seconds. So they will call this one kid gay and sometimes a blackie...etc...

But in terms of the indigenous population, who sell wares in the park and are always together, wearing bright colored clothes, blues here, and women with braided hair. I�ve never seen them interact with a Mexican besides buying and selling, and they are regarded as inferiors.

Also in terms of where I am from...I have always told people I am from America, and maybe only once or twice, that resulted in bad reactions. Because I know the reputation Americans have, I feel even more obligated to tell people where I am from, so they can see that not all Americans are like the ones they find in Cancun. And even though, with everything that has happened in the last 8 years, and the general history of my country, I do take pride in where I am from, because I regard it as my home, so I make sure when asked, to reply honestly.

Anyway I find this thread really interesting and am still struggling to understand the particular type of racism here in Mexico, and also am struggling to figure out how I fit in here, in Chiapas. I was honestly much more comfortable, felt much more anonymous, in Guadaljara. And I met a number of people that were friendly, but I was only there for 2 weeks.

Anyway look forward to reading everyones responses. And I forgot who said it, but it is true no one in America, I�d put the number at 95%, cares at all about soccer. Just take a look at SportsCenter in America and see what sports they cover. In my whole time watching it, I had never seen them cover American soccer.

Chris

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

And if the American is third generation Mexican-American and has decidedly Spanish or MesoAmerican features, is his maltreatment by a Guadalajaran waiter racist? Or if the American is Chino- or Japanese-American, again is there racism involved?
This question is directed to the parties who used prejudice or discrimination against Americans an example of racism.

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject: racism

Herein often lies the problem with discussing so-called "racism" As often as not, we are talking about discrimination against a person for belonging to a certain category of people. I guess because race has been such a glaring issue for the US, everything gets mixed up with and/or associated with race....

The issue is discrimination because someone is somehow (by appearance or otherwise) know or believed to be of a certain social grouping.

With such a broad definition, that would probably mean that everyone on the planet is "racist" in some way shape or form.

gordogringo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Tijuana

I am an American. But even I don't like Americans very much. Especially the New York and LA crowd that shapes the world opinions of us. I always try to distance myself from Americans as much as possible. Is key to survival as an ex-pat. I do not see that much racism on the border, though.You are targeted by everybody to pay more. No matter where I go and what I buy my gf can always get it for quite a bit less. She calls it the Mexican price. When we travel together I have heard other women ask her "How much is he paying you" despite the fact she is 4 years older than me. As if there is no way a Mexicana would be with a gringo unless it was a business arrangement.

Much of this "thank goodness your Canadian" stuff I don't buy at all. If you speak the language or make an effort to you will be welcomed. Logically more Americans can and should speak Spanish. It is the language of our largest border country. Right now only about 30% speak at least some Spanish but within ten years that number should be around 70%. As high as 90% on the west coast. Maybe that will make us more popular in Mexico. If we could get just one other country besides England to like us..........

A story was published in the San Diego Union Tribune by a famous Mexican American immigration writer, Ruben Navarette.Below is a summary of that story on why Americans visit Mexico. Is not so far from the truth and you could see why some people in tourist areas might not like gringos.

Two dogs climbed the hill each day in Tijuana to look into California. They loved to watch the American dogs coming and going, crossing the border. After a while they asked themselves, why? Why do these dogs always come to visit us? So they met a dog walking across the border and asked him.Where do you live, they said. Malibu,he responded. I spend each day being pampered, cared for, walked in only the finest parks.My every need is catered to.Then the dogs asked him why would you come here then? You have everything there. The American dog answered, because every dog needs a place to bark.