I'm Latin, not Hispanic

[Críostóir]

Why not just be an American?

Why not indeed? Why not just NOT be discriminated against? Why not just NOT be economically exploited? Why not just NOT need services that "white" people don't, because of discrimination? Why not just NOT have stupid bigots like the Arizona legislature and governor make laws that you have to carry your papers all the time, even if you're a US citizen?

I can't think why we need these labels at all. Golly, everyone knows America is the Land of Opportunity, Where Everyone Is Treated Equally. Thanks for reminding us.

 

[Críostóir]

Being Latino/Hispanic and being American aren't mutually exclusive. Nor is being black and American or being white and American. Or being a man and American. Or being left-handed and American.

Or being Muslim and American. Or Hindu and American.

 

[SimonSays]

How does one define American? There is pissing contests all the time on what makes a true American. How often do we here this or that is ungodly. And, in case of certain immigration laws in Arizona it is fairly important. Or, the Universal use of the word Mexican to describe any Spanish Speaking, darker color skinned person irregardless of origin or that of their family, or maybe the fact that the Spanish settled the Southwest before the White Europeans and the USA did.

Any number of reasons, but using Latino as an ethnic or cultural marker does not diminish rather or not a person is an US-American. hell, by that marker all of Central and South American are also Americans.

 

[Jack Springer]

Or being Muslim and American. Or Hindu and American.

Try being a white male in America today - discriminated against in employment - add being over 45 years old to that and you'll never find a new job.

I'd rather focus on the good rather than the bad. If you look for bad - you'll find it.

... again, just be an American.

 

[Críostóir]

Try being a white male in America today - discriminated against in employment - add being over 45 years old to that and you'll never find a new job.

I'd rather focus on the good rather than the bad. If you look for bad - you'll find it.

... again, just be an American.

As a 50-year-old white male, currently laid off, in America, I tell you this: that's stupid. White males are NOT discriminated against. They're just not discriminated FOR as much as they used to be.

 

[TickTockMan]

Why not just be an American?

Because he is talking about race and you are talking about nationality.


Would you talk about an orange while the discussion is about apples?

 

[SimonSays]

Great point Thynight.

 

[SimonSays]

And, with the unemployment situation being so bad, a lot of people are not gainfully employed right now for any number of reasons. Try not to shop at Wal Mart or buy products Made In China maybe those Jobs would come back.


But, of course, that would require making decisions that do not place the blame squarely on the American People it is better to blame someone who is not "American".

Why not go after the companies that employ illegal immigrants. That might be a fairly decent start. But, it is much easier to do the Red Scare thing and make an enemy.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

I always thought "Hispanic" was the safer more general term to use because Latinos are Hispanic, but not all Hispanics are Latino?

 

[LilBit]

Or being Muslim and American. Or Hindu and American.

Now that's just going too far.

^oh look, the world's preeminent expert on race replied to this thread

we can close the topic now

Although I sometimes find BGP's ideas hard to swallow, I agree with him on this one, with the exception of Brazilians, who may be considered Latino, but not Hispanic.

 

[Jack Springer]

Guess you guys just love pigeon holes.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

Guess you guys just love pigeon holes.

when so many countrys fail ins so basic things ans even internet THEM rush round stuff people pegion hole

basic origin of excistance ( even it no matter ) but this time is matter and is need in all humans ta figure cuase

Countrys run by fuckheads what happy ta treat populations like cattle yet fuckheads ofs elites of piles castles ans empires their feet sweat in and media pay tribute all da time

maybe why so few use forums on Internet

let people discover to know then to let history make it not issue and future be full of happy tissues not da blood of their eyes

cue anime