To begin with, I know I am probably going to get on some people's bad side with this discussion. I am only being honest with my feelings because of my experiences where I live. This discussion is mostly for insight and advice on the situation I am about to explain.
My family and I live in a town of about ten thousand people in the westcentral part of Illinois.I grew up in a large metropolitan area with many different nationalities,and the same with my husband who grew up in Chicago. We don't view ourselves as racist people or ones to stir up trouble because our views are possibly being threatened/stood up against...however you want to look at it.
This is going to be a bit long, but I just want to paint a picture so to speak as to why I feel the way I do about the Mexicans in the town we live in.
Where we live there is a pork(hog) plant.In about the last 3 years there have been a lot of Mexicans coming here to live and work. Most of them are here illegally. I can't prove it to you on here, but it's your choice to believe me or not. My husband and I do have proof, but it isn't something that can be shown here. I know a lot of people feel sorry for these illegals, saying they are here to make a better life, and that it's so hard for them to come to the U.S. by legal means, either because it's too time consuming, expensive, or sometimes both, depending on the individual or family. If it wasn't for the way that the people here behave, I might have an ounce of sympathy for them. I honestly can't have sympathy or respect for these Mexicans that come to the U.S. and think that they are owed this, that and the other thing. They are horrible and disrespectful drivers, driving in brand new expensive vehicles about 80% of the time. They go to stores and let their kids run around and they are just as rude, blocking aisles, speaking loudly in Spanish, pointing and making lude comments in Spanish, littering through the store and outside. At my husband's work place they are lazy and whine when they are reprimanded for not doing their job. They cry discrimination, they have no manners and can't go to the toilet without making a mess. I have witnessed many problems at my son's middle school, which is grades 4-6, involving Mexican kids. They are disrespectful to other students and even adults. They litter in the school and outside. They speak Spanish to each other in school and outside. I have even overheard arguments between some of them and some white children where the Mexican kids would say they are proud to be Mexican while the white kids would say they are proud to be American and that no matter what your race, if you are in this country you should be proud to be an American and not go around waving your country's flag and wearing clothing that proclaims how proud you are of another country. The Mexicans then retort by saying that they don't like this country, their parents are only here for the money. I know this sounds absurd, but this is pretty much what happened in May with the Mexican Pride parades across the country. I found it hard to believe at that time that they would come here and then openly admit their disrespect for this country and it's citizens. Now that I have witnessed it first hand, it's becoming quite scary.I know there are A LOT who are here legally, who were born and raised here, etc. I have no problem with Mexicans in general. I grew up with many friends who were Mexican. The problem is, how do you tell who is legal and who isn't? I also know that there are a lot of people of other races who exhibit the same rotten behavior as mentioned above. In my experiences though, all of the other races as a whole don't even come close to the behavior exhibited by the Mexicans, not just where I live, but pretty much the whole country from what I read, see and hear.
So, now that you know why I feel this way toward Mexicans, I am going to finally get to the problem that I need insight and advice on. My 12 year old son came home yesterday and told me that there are at least two lockers at his school that the child who the locker belongs to has made a sign and put it up proclaiming they are proud to be Mexican. I personally feel that this is inappropriate in an American school. Can you imagine if a black person, a Japanese person, or a white person put up a sign proclaiming they were proud to be black, Japanese, or white, what would happen? In my eyes none of these kids should be thinking that way in the first place. It shouldn't matter what race they are, they are an American. I feel that children this young who are so blatantly flaunting their race have little respect for other races. Isn't this how racism is usually begun? I imagine that some of you are thinking that I am racist because of my feelings toward Mexicans. I understand why you'd feel that way. I think the difference is, I don't go around saying I hate them or throwing the fact that I am white in their face. I am not proud of the way I feel, but given the circumstances that I've been experiencing where I live for about three years, it's been a difficult thing for me to control. I also want to point out that I know in some places in the U.S. it is common for people to display their pride in their heritage. Where I live it is not common. I get told I am intimidated by people who want to expose me to their heritage, their language,etc. I feel it is they who are intimidated by what this country stands for,it's traditions,such as English,the American Flag,and being proud to be an American. I personally don't feel it's appropriate in any country to so blatantly proclaim your love for the country you came from or your heritage is tied to, except in the privacy of your own home. If you love the country you came from or your heritage is tied to, then why did you move to another country? A final example I would like to put forth that is related to this situation is that I have been told that nothing is stopping other people from displaying their pride to be white,black,etc. In fact there is something being done to stop this. Where my husband works, when the Mexicans began showing up in their vehicles with window decals and bumper stickers and flags relating to Mexico, and wearing their shirts with Mexico related designs and phrases, there were several white people who were told that they had to take bumper stickers saying "American Pride" off of their vehicle, and that they couldn't wear their bandanas or anything else displaying the Rebel flag. The Mexicans were not stopped from displaying their vehicle and clothing items that represented Mexico.
Now I would like input about your feelings of this situation where I live. I truly hope that everyone will have an open mind and thoroughly understand the point of this article and not reply with hateful comments. I am not trying to be hateful. |
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Comments: 76
I hoping that you mean something else, as everyone knows exactly what the confederate flag stands for.
You said, quote"Where my husband works, when the Mexicans began showing up in their vehicles with window decals and bumper stickers and flags relating to Mexico, and wearing their shirts with Mexico related designs and phrases, there were several white people who were told that they had to take bumper stickers saying "American Pride" off of their vehicle, and that they couldn't wear their bandanas or anything else displaying the Rebel flag. The Mexicans were not stopped from displaying their vehicle and clothing items that represented Mexico."
The Mexican flag is no way meant to be a sign of prejudism, nor is it looked upon nationally as a sign of prejudism.
When somebody shows their american pride, they usually display the american flag.
One other question, how do you know that the Mexican residents are living there illegally ?
Stephanie, This is why alot of cities are passing local laws to show citizens that this is America and not Mexico or any of the other hispanic countries. The invaders do not have any respect for this country or any of its laws. They have been taught for many years that the Americans have stolen their land and that they want it back. I wouldn't feel guilty about your feelings as your culture has taught you to have scruples. After having to deal with these invaders, they eventually teach you to feel disdain toward them because of hate that they feel towards America and its people. You have to stick-up for your rights as an American citizen, not for the losers that steal their way into this country.
I remember while I was still on the road we happened to play in prominently Anglo town near Aurora, Illinois. As the road crew set up for the show they were told they could not hook up our equipment into the house power and only a union guy could do the work. I called the building management's office and was told we would have to pay an extra $50.00 an hour to have the work done, which was no problem. After waiting a little over two hours finally 3 Anglos showed up and as two of the guys stood around and talked about what they drank the previous night it took the other guy 30 minutes to finish the work which our own lighting tech could have done in 10 minutes. After the work was done we were given a bill of $150.00, $50.00 for the guy who did the work and $100.00 dollars for his two incompetent and lazy white Anglo buddies. I guess these three guys are an aberration when it comes to European Americans.
As for Mexicans being proud about their country of origin, why is it we don't see you protest over St. Patrick Day's parades. I have a theory that the real reason for individuals like yourself and your husband have such a hatred for Hispanics who are proud of their heritage is that your own family lacks any in its' history to really be proud of. What are you going to do shout with pride my family has this number of slaves; my ancestors were highly upstanding members of the White Knights of Atlanta.
I think that in order for your argument to be taken seriously you need to reign in all your blanket statements that paint every Latino as dirty, lazy, shiftless and dishonest. Then maybe you won't come out sounding like the Grand Wizard on one his racist tirades.
When you mentioned "every Latino as dirty, lazy, shiftless and dishonest." how come you didn't say brown in front of Latino? It works both ways Juan.
I agree with most of what you've written Stephanie.
As Lisa stated above, where is the school administration? Where are the community leaders? It doesn't matter what the stance of the individual parties, the way this is being played out is wrong and will only have bad results. I would speak to my school and community leaders in a reasonable way, without using any emotional, stereotypical language. Many of the actions you describe are wrong, no matter who is doing them, no matter what language they speak, no matter where they come from.
Focus on the actions, their results and how it is affecting the community if you want to make improvements.
I believe we are referring to people of the Mexican decent and NOT Indians.
I find it extremely hard to believe that they are, "stealing their way into our country".
Hate to say it Bob, but your sounding a like someone stole your girlfriend.
Let me guess it was.....Ricky Martin.
"I agree with most of what you've written Stephanie."
Robiyah, I belief you completely missed my point as I used an equally idiotic belief as an example of how ludicrous Stephanie's assertions are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIW-BZ8oLrk
Kind of puts this in a better perspective, don't ya know.
Don't worry about Juan, those " Trailer park moonshine drinking white trash " will take care of him .
I don't, however, have a problem with a student placing a Mexican flag on their locker if students are generally permitted to display pictures, etc on the outside of the locker. We cannot abandon the principles our country was founded on because we don't like the choice of some of the students.
That said, I still believe we should be doing everything in our power to get these illegal invaders out of our country.
Oh yeah, I eat mayonnaise - I guess I really am a racist. Thanks for clearing that up Juan.
Eamon..great point .
That said, I think you (Stephanie) should talk to your school principle about the signs on lockers and things like that. When I was in school they really restrained what could and could not be displayed on school property.
I am wondering why it is an issue of the kids in the store speaking loudly in spanish? I get irritated by other peoples kids YELLING in stores in english. I have seen a number of hispanic "looking" (I do not know them personally) families with many children who were very polite in public, while a "white" family had two young boys screaming all through a full hour time of my last shopping trip. That is not to say I have not heard people speaking loudly in spanish, but one that stands out as the rudest "loud speaker" was a woman that was on a cell phone and talking about very personal issues in english. I kind of wish it was spanish because than I would not have understood and been embarassed by her conversation.
Actually most of the problems you listed there I have seen in my mainly white upper middle class neighborhood. All the houses here are less than 4 years old, only a couple hispanic families, one from mexico (legal) and one I do not know personally. There is one chinese (I believe) family here that I also have not personally met. I believe there are 50 or so houses that I am referring to here as my neighborhood.
I have seen the (white) boys outside calling each other and passing cars "effers" and other crude names rather loudly. I have seen them litter, including really messing my sloped yard up while they were sledding there and leaving a half a bag of trash out there. I have seen them get in some serious fights, some minor yelling matches, heard of them stealing things out of peoples garages over the summer.... the list goes on and on. I do not let my 9 year old play with most of the kids around here because of this behavior, and that has not a thing to do with race.
I do not advocate illegal immigration, many times it is dangerous (the trip itself) for all involved. It is a horrible thing to put the children in the family through when dealing with jail or deportation issues.
On the flip side of this issue, my hubby is half hispanic and he runs into racism even though he is mixed race and does not know any spanish, the mexican side of his family has been here for many generations, and he was raised by the white side of his family. This really bothers me that people are so judgemental without even hearing a word out of someones mouth or meeting them. Hubby was asked by one neighbor to translate spanish for him, this was the first time this neighbor ever talked to us, and he did not even bother asking if hubby knew spanish.
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
We all need to learn to live together...
In Texas around April, there was a huge rodeo festival that lasted a month. My house was located next to the fair grounds, and there'd be sirens going off all night for the the entire month because of white people fighting, getting drunk, street racing, breaking into cars, etc. My parents still live in Texas, and their white neighbors are terrible. They bought the house from this kindly Christian old couple, and now the house in ruin, with trash, metal junk, etc, in the front. It's an eyesore next to my parents property. They let their goats come onto my parents property and they'll eat my mom's flowers. We caught their 3-year-old son digging through our trash, wearing nothing but underwear and boots. They let their dogs run wild in the street, and they almost bit us. Does this mean all white people act like this? Do I hate white people? Of course not. I just notice this behavior because I lived in that predominantly white town.
Do you notice ANYTHING positive about these people? If not, then it's the beginning of something racist.
He was peeing on the U.S. image, with the logo, "P@#s on America"!
These folks are VERY lucky I have respect for the law.
I was P#%sed!
You can be against illegals and NOT be racist. Find a new argument. That one is worn out and NOT effective!
There's nothing wrong of being proud of your heritage, it's a fools game to pretend we are all color-blind, but we should all be Americans and respect each others differences. The massive influx of illegal immigration is now a hot political issue, and when then happens people seem forced to take "a side." Then as humans, emotions come into play and a seed of racism is planted in many as a by-product. Nobody likes talking about it, but think of that as another need to fix that border as well.
Take care.
The Mexican people that enhabit Stephanies community probably have a lot too say about the white trash that surrounds them.
I also believe that the other half of this community could learn something from a different nationality. They might teach them to be more tolerant or possibly what it takes to leave your entire identity behind and move too another country, for the sole purpose of providing food and shelter for your family.
Could be an excellent opportunity too see how good they actually have it.
Let's clear this up once and for all. I made this equally idiotic statement as way to compare the idiotic blanket characterization Stephanie C. makes about the Hispanic Americans and legal and illegal immigrants in her town and neighborhood. She always starts "I am not a racist but, then goes on to paint every Latino in her sightline as the reason for the decline of her hometown and Western Civilization.
She then goes on to say "Someone made a comment about why don't I voice my opinion against St. Patrick's Day. Maybe because I am part Irish. Or maybe it's because the Irish were an integral part of the building of this country. I have respect for and knowledge of my history, but I don't believe it's proper to go around praising a country that isn't where I am living. I am an American who believes in traditions." Yet in her article she writes about how she objects to the Mexican Pride parade. Stephanie C then continues to voice her displeasure about how Mexicans standing around and blocking all the aisles at Local target as they converse loudly in Spanish and how Mexican children are disrespectful to adults. As if this is a phenomenon that is attributed solely to Hispanics and Latinos. My question is has anybody seen the latest episode of "The Nanny." The latest episode features a White Anglo family with all the benefits that come with having money. The children, which were White, kicked and shouted profanities at their parents. I guess their behavior was influenced by gardener's and the maid's ethnicity. As for talking Spanish if these burdens to society were not addressing and talking to her what is the problem?
The main point is, if you're going to come to the country, don't forget to stop by and check in and get your LEGAL documents to be in this country. When you come here and respect MY country, I'll respect YOU.
Until then, I guess I'll be living in my HOUSE, drinking moonshine with my BLACK fiance (it can't be my first cousin--sorry to disappoint you Juan), eating MAYO (even though I hate it) with curlers in my hair and a housecoat on my back, ithankyou.
And I'm FAR from a racist. I love everyone with every color of skin. I just wish that people would respect this country before it goes to hell in a handbasket.
This is my assertion. However the point I am trying to make is that hate groups and extremist racist organization are successfully recruiting these Americans, as they exploit the heated topic of Immigration and the perceived belief that the U.S. is being invaded and overrun by Mexican illegals and taking more than they are giving to our country.
He was peeing on the U.S. image, with the logo, "P@#s on America"!"
Mark H- how do you know by looking at them that these people were illegal?
This is the thing that gets in the way. I can't tell and I can't assume that someone is here illegally just by the color of their skin or even the sticker on their vehicle. Unless you know these people and know they are illegal, you can't really make that assumption.
Robiyah,thanks once again.Benjamin,that's a great speech by President Roosevelt.You comment at the end of the quote that we should all learn to live together.You didn't describe your take on this issue at hand.I am hoping that by your comment you mean that for us to all learn to live together,we all need to behave like Americans.I don't care what color you are or even if you are from another planet,just respect the traditions of this country you want to live in.
Stephanie what other races suck and what other races do you and your husband have to endure interacting with? Also what does the fact that you eat tacos and listen to Earth Wind and Fire have to do with your perception of the Latin community in your town and neighborhood? I don't eat and dislike Jalapenos but that does not mean I hate my fellow Latinos or myself.
You also make the statement "the St. Patrick's and October fest Parades are not the same as the Latin Pride parades because the Irish and Germans helped build this country. So it your contention that the pride expressed during the St Patrick's parade and during October Fest is acceptable and not the pride Mexicans have because Germans helped build this country and that Latinos had no part in making America the great country that it is. I guess all the cheap labor and manual labor that contractors have used in the past and currently use is figment of my imagination and a lie. Did you know a great number of Mexicans died defending the Alamo against the Mexican army and Santa Anna? A great number of Hispanic Americans and Mexican immigrants have died in Iraq as members of our Arm Forces. I guess they can die for America but they should not express pride for their heritage. The bottom line that you are go around wearing blinders and only see or choose to see Hispanic Americans and Latinos as the reason for all of personal problems.
Here is the thing. We are all Americans as we are North Americans. (Mexicans, Americans, and Candians too.....South and Central)
I don't believe it is a question of the behavior of a nationality....but the question of a person's moral character. We don't have to lump behaviors together with a persons nationality....we shouldn't.
We are, however, bound by the laws of this America and that should apply equally to all people. If you choose to break the law.....well then pay the consequence.
There are people angry at the folks "getting by" and "going around the system" but last i checked that was not race or culture specific either. If the system is broken or leaky fix it.
Pride is something we should all have....and we take it from different places. Culture is something we all have.......and we all do different things. But my place and my culture don't define who I am. They simply are a part of my being. They do not cause me to break or uphold rules.
I don't live in a trailer park but my daughter's father (hispanic) want to move to one.
I eat mayo....with French Fries. A habit I picked up in Peru....where there are a lot of hispanic and indigenous peoples.
I eat bread and tortillas.
I don't sleep with my cousins and never had. But I do know folks of both races who have. (Why do I know of this? I don't even want to think about that one)
I have friends who have the American Flag, the Mexican Flag and other flags in cars or houses or walls. (Trailers even) My ex won't put a mexican flag up because as he says....I know where I was born.
My point is this. I don't want to call anyone racist. I will say that we misunderstand each other. But we don't have to be a different color or race to misunderstand each other. I don't understand my kids sometimes. But I am not about to write off all teenagers because of it (and they are mexican and white....so that would have to be a huge 3 part list if I started doing that)
I think a common sense approach is in order.
JMO
Peace and Paz to all of you.
Pot, meet kettle.
Other the sarcastic statement that I made in order to show just how idiotic the statements made that blanket all Hispanic Americans and their Mexican cousin as being the source for all of America's problems and brush all Latinos as dirty, lazy and only want to pillage the U.S., I have never made any derogatory remarks that paint all Americans of European decent with the same brush. Exactly what racial slur do you refer to? Excluding the obviously mocking statement I made about "mayonnaise eating trailer white trash."
We have many members here on Gather.
In our hearts we know we are not racist. As you see the ones calling us that have the real problem.
Illegal criminal invading scum have NO right to be in our country.
It is a Federal problem .Write your Reps in Washington . That is the only way this problem will be solved.
By the way:
BUILD THE FENCE NOW/BEGIN DEPORTATIONS OF ILLEGALS TOMORROW!!!!
A lot of those here too.
Enforcement
A person or entity having knowledge of a violation or potential violation of employer sanctions provisions may submit a signed written complaint to the INS office with jurisdiction over the business or residence of the potential violator, whether an employer, employee, or agent. The complaint must include the names and addresses of both the complainant and the violator, and detailed factual allegations, including date, time, and place of the potential violation, and the specific conduct alleged to be a violation of employer sanctions. By regulation, the INS will only investigate third-party complaints that have a reasonable probability of validity. Designated INS officers and employees, and all other officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws, may make an arrest for violation of smuggling or harboring illegal aliens.
State and local law enforcement officials have the general power to investigate and arrest violators of federal immigration statutes without prior INS knowledge or approval, as long as they are authorized to do so by state law. There is no extant federal limitation on this authority. The 1996 immigration control legislation passed by Congress was intended to encourage states and local agencies to participate in the process of enforcing federal immigration laws.
You keep insisting that your article was not based on any prejudices or racist views. Then you make a comment like this. By your definition just because I have a Spanish Sir Name I must be fit for only manual labor. Many years ago the Spanish Rock Band I used to be the road manager for played at the Hard Rock Café in New York and we were invited to attend a fundraiser for the Gilda Radner Club, which was, hosted by Gene Wilder. As we mingled among the celebrity guests we were met with smiles and handshakes and we were given assurances of how everyone was looking forward to our concert later that night. Despite our long hair and earrings, we were properly dressed for such a high-class occasion. At one point I went up to the buffet table and selected some calamari and shrimp, which the waiter put on a small plate for me. I took the appetizers and selected a booth across from the table as the best place to sit down and eat. As I walked to the table I passed a table with an older lady who was dress quite elegantly was sitting in. To this day I remember her demeanor and her actions. As soon as she saw me, she scooted over away from as far as she could and then with a sneer clutch her purse to her chest.
It is this picture and this lady that immediately jumps into my mind when I first read your article and now with your comment ""Juan, what do you do to help white people...besides providing cheap labor for them?" you just proved that I was 100 percent right. Despite all your denials, protests and astonishment of how I could have taken your article as having racist undertones, this revealed your true agenda and your real sense of being.
What is funny is your article and your comments are just that, a frontal attack on all Hispanics that you grouped together as a total drain on America and on the U.S. economy and social services. My father who was a teacher for over 30 years always drove the idea of "we need to leave this world a better place than when we arrived" into us. As such he gave us a thirst for education and knowledge and gave me the ability to always keep an opened mind. I know for a fact that not all white Americans have the negative, prejudice and the stereotypical perceptions that your small world has given you about Hispanics. Just as I know and the world beyond your Mexican infested small neighborhood know that Hispanic Americans and their Mexican cousins are not born into manual labor or to fill your need for a scapegoat for all of your disappointments and shortcomings.
I don't blame the illegals entirely, though of course the ultimate choice to ignore our laws is theirs. I blame the government for not enforcing the laws we have on the books regarding the hiring of illegals.
I want to see a crackdown on employers who hire illegals, and an identification system for those here legally who are not yet citizens. Heck, I'd be all for arresting anyone hiring an illegal who cannot prove they made a good faith effort to check for legality. Maybe we could send them to boot camp and then to Iraq to defend the country they seem to have such contempt for. The employers, not the illegals.
The bottom line is that our immigration system is broken and our government doesn't care. I'm just hoping they start caring because I for one will be out there during the next election working against anyone who doesn't push for major immigration fixes this coming two years.
As for being an "attention whore" I have enough attention in my professional and private life. I really don't crave, seek or need any attention I might receive for merely pointing out your shortcomings.
This comment really said everything that you are all about!! As far as you being white is concerned, I would really have the same feelings of animosity towards anyone who made a comment like the one above whether he or she was red, yellow, brown or green. As far as what do I do to help white people, I really do not look at a persons color when I go out of my way to aid a person who requires a helping hand. Can you say the same?