Are you shocked at this picture? Yes, for just 15 pesos you can throw three balls at the Negro. This picture was taken at the Feria just a few weeks ago. None of the Mexicans walking by even gave it a second glance. Mexicans laugh at the Americans attitude about race because they think that they aren't racists. But Felipe Zapata who writes The Bierce Account blog says that not only are they color-conscious but they are class-concious as well. I had written about the color issue some time ago here and be sure to read the comments with this blog post. Very thoughtful responses.It is just one of the differences in our cultures.....there are more.
4 comments:
Oh boy. If we had something like that at a carnival or fair, whoever had it wouldn't last. Talk about racism, suing the heck out of the owner of that booth, it's right there for all to see. That's just the way it is in the good ole USA. Still. if they are not racist, why do they have a (as you said), a Negro and not a Mexican who is having the balls tosses at? Frankly, I personally don't care for picture, just my opinion. It could have been a lion with a big mouth, or even a monkey. I better go. Have a great day Billie. :D <----- Me and my big mouth.:D
There are 3 Mexican men at our shop of various shades of blue. I'm gonna poll them and see what are their off the cuff remarks.
Chepo is lighter, relatively, and he hates it when someone says "I didn't know you were a Mexican!"
It's interesting to live here with the sensitivity to racism that we bring from the US. I try and keep my mouth shut but my chin hits my chest fairly often listening to what is casually said. If I did say something I would get that 'we are not racist' reaction, I've tried it. Whatever they want to call it, the word for it in the US is racism. Also classism, it's insidious and is extremely common here. It seems to me that they just don't see it or it is something that they do not want to admit. Walks like, looks like, quacks like... yep, it's a duck.
Mexicans are very skin color conscious. The lighter, the better. Ridiculous, I say but that is how they feel. The lighter your skin the higher your social status. A friend of mine recently, in all innocence, used the N word. I was aghast and carefully explained to him why that was not a word he should ever use again. I'm not sure he totally understood, but I am sure he will never use the word in my prescence again!
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