What is racism?

[Betty]

[quote=Ghoulish Delight]Everything's about context. For example:

Presidente Fox's comments were a reference to the stereotype that Meixcans hold of blacks as hard workers. "He works like a black man" is a common saying in Mexico.QUOTE]


Someone else (a hispanic) had mentioned that to me but took it differently - that blacks were lazy - so it was an insult and not a compliment.

I'm all for not allowing illegal immigrants to use our schools, social services etc, with the exception of dire emergency services... and even then there needs to be some restrictions as people should not be going to the ER for an ear ache. In Mexico, you will be deported as an illegal alien. You don't get social services... you can't send your kids to school...

And yet they expect it from us when they enter illegally.

I think the billboard that read Los Angeles, Mexico raised a lot of eyebrows.

Racist is an overused word that caries a lot of baggage and is often used for to further an agenda that has nothing to do with racism.

[Tref]

Originally Posted by Betty

Racist is an overused word that caries a lot of baggage and is often used for to further an agenda that has nothing to do with racism.

Are you saying racists over pack?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Betty

Someone else (a hispanic) had mentioned that to me but took it differently - that blacks were lazy - so it was an insult and not a compliment.

But it doesn't even make sense that way. I mean, if what he meant was that blacks are lazy, then he was saying, "We Mexicans are even lazier than blacks!"

Now, I'm still don't think the comment was completely "okay". Like I said, even positive stereotypes can be devisive. Lord knows that saying something like, "That math problem's too hard, even for an Asian," is not really kosher. But I'm less bothered by it than outright hate speach.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

But it doesn't even make sense that way. I mean, if what he meant was that blacks are lazy, then he was saying, "We Mexicans are even lazier than blacks!"

Now, I'm still don't think the comment was completely "okay". Like I said, even positive stereotypes can be devisive. Lord knows that saying something like, "That math problem's too hard, even for an Asian," is not really kosher. But I'm less bothered by it than outright hate speach.

Fox said that "Mexicans take the jobs that even the blacks won't do". By saying this, he was saying that mexicans are willing to do work that is even beneath the blacks- not saying that blacks, or mexicans, are lazy. Still, it is promoting a stereotype that blacks do the dirty work- slave work- that whites won't do. It was insensitive to blacks, mexicans and whites- very often the whites and blacks aren't doing the work because it's not an option. The jobs go to illegals, who are paid less than federally mandated minimum wage, and often under the table.