Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

I find that many Mexicans are quick to cry racism at the jabs they take, particularly from gringos. I too am quick to point out what I think is, at worst a racist remark and at best, an ignorant stereotype....often here on the forum.

But, racism works both ways, even if it's usually thought of as a white crime. Sometimes, I find Mexicans that hold very strong stereotypes of Americans and Canadians that can only really be described as racist views. If racism is perceived as directed towards Mexicans and never the reverse, how do you deal with such ideas?

[El Gallo]

Neither gringos nor Mexicans have a corner on racism. One thing I have noticed, though, is less evidence of racism toward "gueros" in Chiapas than one would find against Latinos in Phoenix, for example. Maybe people are quieter about it here. I've only experienced blatant racism here two or three times in three years. In a class debate, one of my students summed it up pretty well -"basically, we're all racists."

With the unfortunate episode here of John Attis (aka Charlie Petterson) who killed his wife and family, I have seen more racist attitudes toward whites. One school owner here directed his coordinator not to hire any more white men over thirty as a result. I have felt people here are now a little less friendy since this episode combined with Mexican's hatred of the arrogance of George Bush. When my business partner set up an interview with me to hire a Mexican teacher, she commented she did not want to meet me because "gringos have a bad reputation." Needless to say, she didn't get an interview with either of us.

[srtab]

I'm living in Phoenix, Arizona... teaching Spanish at a high school in a fairly privilegded area.

It astonishes me how my students use and react to the term "Mexican". For many of them, when they use it, it's derogatory... or demeaning.... because I suppose they associate it with being an "illegal" immigrant... therefore less than them. It's a fairly prevalent attitude here in Arizona.

Classism... racism... what a disgusting mix.

[Guy Courchesne]

Once, in Acapulco, I was seated in a tiny Oaxacan restaurant well off the tourist track and catering more to locals....about 3 blocks from where I was living. The place was, as usual, packed with locals...working people. A family was seated across from me and their daughter, all of 3 or 4 years, was staring at me and smiling, so I tossed her a smile and a wink back. The mother caught the exchange and with a stern face scolded her daughter, telling her 'no haces caso a los palidos' ('pay no mind to the pale-skins' - in a generous translation). This was the first and only time I'd ever heard the term 'palido' and marks the only time I've ever been truly shocked to have been marked or labeled in such a way. I'm ordinarily sympathetic to such things as expressions of nationalism or defiance or pride. Not this one, though.

[ls650]

I can't say I've seen much "anti-gringo" racism directed at me. I have noticed that when I'm sitting in a restaurant or public place, I get hit up by vendors and beggars a lot more than the local folks around me, I can only imagine because they just assume I have money because I'm an extranjero.

A week ago I was eating breakfast in a small restaurant in the Abastos public market in Oaxaca City. I was the only gringo there; there were also a dozen locals. Some fellow wanders in with a guitar, sees me, and couldn't walk fast enough to get close to me. He proceeded to strum and sing loudly about a meter behind me as I ate my huevos y frijoles.

After about 30 seconds later, he realized I was paying no attention to him and wasn't going to give him any money. He stopped playing, called me pinche, and started yelling at me (in Spanish) that if I was going to come to Mexico I should learn Spanish so that I could appreciate Mexican culture and respect his Spanish singing. He swore at me a couple of times and went stomping off to another restaurant.

I'm not quite sure why he would yell at me in Spanish if he thought I couldn't understand (perhaps he suspected I could). Everyone else in the restaurant stared in shock at the guy as he stomped away. The waitress who took my order stayed at me pop-eyed, as she knew I could understand Spanish.

What could I do? I actually started chuckling because I thought the guy made a complete �ss of himself. Meanwhile at the other restaurant, the people there stopped him after a few seconds of playing and ordered him to go away.

When I left the guitar player was sitting on a bench looking rather dejected, and I smiled and waved at him as I passed by. He looked rather sheepish and waved back.

[Aabra]

I'm sure you've all heard this a million times before - and it really is sad that this is the case but if you want to receive significantly better service and be treated better then wear a Canadian pin on your shirt.

I get treated like garbage when people think I'm an American. The moment I mention I'm from Toronto a big smile comes over their face, they hug me and tell me how much they love Canada and how thankful they are that I'm not an American.

It's really sad that this is the case and whenever they say that to me I try to explain to them that there are plenty of jerks in Canada too. I'm not instantly a good guy just because I'm from Toronto. Most are pretty receptive when I tell them that while there are many Americans who are jerks, you shouldn't judge them based on what you heard or your past experiences with another American because everybody is different.

Asking a Mexican if they always agree with everything that the Mexican government does is a surefire way to make a close minded Mexican start to open their eyes a little.

[ls650]

You haven't read the "Cheapskates from Winnipeg" thread yet, have you?

[Samantha]

Aabra wrote:

[shaner]

against us gringo folk. I was in Colombia for a while where people are happy to see foreigners. I came back to Guadalajara and noticed a lot of people who are just rude. I even caught a taco guy taling about me to his other clients. I was of course....the "pinche Gringo". I was also in a bar once here and a girl smiled at me so I went to talk to her and she changed as soon as I said hello. I asked if I could sit at her table and she said "no." I asked her why and she told me she didn't like gringos. Ouch!!!! I must say it the first time in all the places I have been to where I have felt a very strong racism against me.

I can't blame the people here. A wall could be coming up very soon on the boarder etc.

I should note though that not all the people here are like that.

[Guy Courchesne]

I noticed a certain coolness in people in Guadalajara towards me...something I've not seen in other places in Mexico. I hadn't seen it as racist, but simply as being cold people, in contrast to Chilangos in particular. Maybe it's for the huge ex-pat community nearby....

[ls650]

[shuize]

Is it racist to point out that Mexicans are really sore losers?

Especially in soccer.*

Against the U.S.

Again.

U.S.A. 2 -- Mexico 0.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha.

The U.S. is 8-2-1 against Mexico since 2000 (7-0-1 at home).

Hey, Mexico, 90 percent of Americans have no idea the game even exists and we're still kicking your ass.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-mexico-us&prov=ap&type=lgns


* They can call it "football" again when they win.

[Guy Courchesne]

[M@tt]

Though I am part of that 90% who don't care about soccer, I think Mexico deserves to continue losing for their poor sportsmanship.

[Guy Courchesne]

From the story...