Racism and Prejudice among Latinos! – Qué!
Growing-up in
NYC you tend to meet people from the around the world. As a
child raised in Hell’s Kitchen I was exposed to various cultures but, the circles
that I was exposed to more often were mainly Latino and Black children. Throughout
my childhood I would hear Latinos poking fun of other Latinos. It was innocent
fun but, everyone usually got along or so I thought. As I got older I noticed that
some Latinos took stereotypes to heart and framed their minds to classify
people according to that perspective. I
am going to divide my prejudices, stereotypes and Racisms experiences from
a Latino perspective so you can see my point of view.
Stereotypes: These are sometimes are funny remarks about a culture, group or race. What I have heard: Mexicans are always drunk,
or having babies. Puerto Ricans are loud, beat their wives and live off of
welfare. Argentinians are stuck-up and think that they are all European only. Salvadorians
are hard-working but are violent - of course since I am Salvadorian (I don’t know what other Latinos are saying for
real!- trust me its’ probably bad). Dominican
women are good but the men are control freaks that kill their wives if they
ever leave them, and are loud. Columbians
think that they are the best in everything and are just broke people who spend
all their money on looks or drugs. You get the point! No one is spared from stereotypes.
The problem is if you truly believe in
them then you will never get to know other Latin American cultures and how
beautiful they are. Also, the people that are from NYC are not always a good representation
of the cultural norms and values people have in their native country. My experience
is that one fellow Central American friend who thought I was “tough” because I was
from El Salvador, um no I don’t carry
machete with me. However, I do have one at my farm house in El Salvador- LOL!
Prejudice: This when Latinos from on group want to divide
themselves from others. Latinos with papeles ( legal) vs Latinos without
papeles ( undocumented). Nothings get my blood boiling is when I hear other
Latinos bashing a fellow Latino for not being legal. Let’s start geographically :
North and Central
America: Mexicans take all the heat for undocumented people. In the news
when there is a law affecting immigrants they run to the Mexican community and take
videos of Mexicans protesting and talking about how this law will affect their lives.
Hellloooo there are other people in America that are undocumented – such as other
Latinos from all over Latin America- including Brazil! Lots not forget Europeans, Indians,
Asians, and Africans! But no, according to the media it only Mexicans- I am
sick of it!
Some Mexican and Central American Latinos get upset at other Latinos for coming here illegally accusing them of abusing the system - " I came here legally why can't everyone else". Undocumented people may seem that they are taking advantage of the system but, they are not. We all know many employers of undocumented people pay them very low rates (below minimum wage), if they get fired they can't collect unemployment, welfare or social security. They do have to pay taxes so -who is taking advantage of who? Medical use, they do not have medical insurance and it's well documented that illegal immigrants under use hospital care because they are afraid of being caught. Everyone is trying to do the best they can based their own reality.
Caribbean: The same issues here as well- some Puerto Ricans look down upon Dominicans
for being illegal. Puerto Rico is a territory of the US so they are
automatically US citizens. Let’s not kid ourselves- if Puerto
Rico was not a territory of the US then some Puerto Ricans will be here illegally as well . Some Dominicans discriminate against Haitians - it’s was in the news recently
that the Dominican government wants to ban Haitian children to attend Dominican
schools. Some Cuban's try to assimilate
to the American culture as best as they can -so much so that some choose to not speak
Spanish their children so they won’t have a Spanish accent! Ay Dios Mío! I think that is fine but, it important to teach your children your roots. There are of course many Caribbean people who advocate for immigrant rights no matter where they are from and helped immigrants out in generous ways. I am speaking from experience! I've had the privilege enjoy the Caribbean culture growing up in NYC and I love its music, beaches, people and food!
South America: I am not that familiar discrimination among these countries but, given the
pattern I seen it probably happens.
Racism: It’s a color
thing! Yes we too have this issue and its bothers me as well. If a fair skinned
woman wants to marry a dark skinned man it’s an issue or at the very least they
will say comments about the guy’s color.
In Central America when describing someone you tend to hear“ he was so good looking he was white, blues eyes, blond haired” You will hardly ever hear: "he was so good looking he was dark, brown eyed and had brown haired” I am even laughing at the thought because I have hardly ever heard someone say that – it’s a shame! But guess what - I do – I always say “ he was so handsome – brown skinned, beautiful brown eyes” – especially to people who always say the opposite.
In El Salvador it's really bad: you used to ( don’t know if still happens) have to put your picture on your resume. If you looked dark- well you might not get the job! El Salvador was so racist with Blacks that until recently Blacks could not immigrate into the El Salvador. There was a banned on Black immigrants in 1930 and it was removed in 1980. Crazy! It’s a really ugly way of thinking and I have to say when I was pregnant the people that were most polite and helpful was the Black community and they did not care that I looked “white” or another other ethnicity! Don't get me wrong, there many great Salvadorians that are not racist and will welcome you with open arms no matter what!
In Central America when describing someone you tend to hear“ he was so good looking he was white, blues eyes, blond haired” You will hardly ever hear: "he was so good looking he was dark, brown eyed and had brown haired” I am even laughing at the thought because I have hardly ever heard someone say that – it’s a shame! But guess what - I do – I always say “ he was so handsome – brown skinned, beautiful brown eyes” – especially to people who always say the opposite.
In El Salvador it's really bad: you used to ( don’t know if still happens) have to put your picture on your resume. If you looked dark- well you might not get the job! El Salvador was so racist with Blacks that until recently Blacks could not immigrate into the El Salvador. There was a banned on Black immigrants in 1930 and it was removed in 1980. Crazy! It’s a really ugly way of thinking and I have to say when I was pregnant the people that were most polite and helpful was the Black community and they did not care that I looked “white” or another other ethnicity! Don't get me wrong, there many great Salvadorians that are not racist and will welcome you with open arms no matter what!
Side Note: its goes far
beyond color if you look “ indio” meaning native American some Latino people
will discriminate you as well.
Once- I was in a
store shopping, the store had a Latina saleslady she looked at me like with what do
you want face- so I said “ do you have
blah blah blah ” and she said “look over there”. Then a blond haired, blue eyes woman came
in the store- and it’s as if the Queen of England herself walked in - this sales lady was like “Hiii how can I help you” – her voice went up I don’t know how many octaves and all
her teeth were on display. O-M-G- What a shame – that was not my only experience
and it won’t be my last.
The reason for writing all these things is that Latinos
already have other groups discriminating, stereotyping
and hating on our culture that we don’t need more hate from each other.
It would be so wonderful for Latinos to work together more often to become prosperous
not only in America but, with among Latino countries.
How I view Latinos vs. How the media portrays Latinos