Mexican-American Culture Clash

Just when I thought it was safe to start writingthis article as well as the content therein. I laugh in
about some other subject, this little lovely comesthe face of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton!
along:This is such a perfect example of Americans
"MEXICO CITY - President Vicente Fox refusedover and over, generation after generation,
to apologize Monday for saying Mexicans in theREFUSING to let go of their Imperialism! If they
United States do the work that blacks won't - acannot do the "We're-going-to-take-your-land
comment widely viewed as acceptable in aImperialism", by God almighty they are
country where blackface comedy is still"going-to-take-your-culture Imperialism" and shape
considered funny and nicknames often reflect skinit into the image of twisted American values. Here
color." [1]is what I mean by twisted:
And who, predictably, in the Unites States isDo Americans really think that their understanding
jumping on the racial bandwagon but Jesseof life itself is the most superior on the face of
Jackson and Al Sharpton. I must add that it didthe earth?
not take much of a leap of faith to see theseLet me tell you something. Having lived in Mexico
two coming down the pike.for more than two years, and having had contact
With Mexican-American relationships deterioratingwith people from all over the world, this is the
at an exponential rate, what gets to me is theEXACT impression that America gives the rest of
total lack of perception or unwillingness on thethe world. Let me add, I believe with good reason!
behalf of the American people to perceive theirI think that is exactly what Americans think!
responsibility in this deterioration.From our observations of American tourists and
Here is just one example of the unwillingness ofsome expatriates here in Mexico, they act as if
the American people to accept their responsibilitythe Mexican people are ignorant savages that
for the deterioration of this delicate relationship.should be thankful the Americans come and
In the example I quoted above about "blackthrow money into their economy.
faced comedy" and "nicknames often reflect skin"You, dear Mexican, are here to serve me!"
color."--If you read the article you will find thatOh, the stories I could tell you! We see this too
author, Traci Carl, does not bother (if shemany times to count...Americans are trying to
understands this at all) to explain what thatshape Mexico into the ethical and moral mold of
statement means in its cultural context. She triedthe United States (American ethics and morals
to make a connection where there was NONE!are dubious at best-that's another column).
This is the American thing to do. Do you getThis article I quoted is Cultural Imperialism and if
that?America cannot accomplish it from across the
Yes, it is true that in Mexico "nicknames oftenborder they will do it here as American Expats.
reflect skin color". If a family has a combination ofThe roots of this are deep. The roots are
light and dark skin children there are often lifelongembedded in history. The roots need to be
nicknames attached to these kids--Also if theyexcised! (Perhaps more on that in a feature
are skinny or fat. Negrito is used for dark-skinnedarticle).
children, blanquito for light-skinned children, gorditoBut this rhetoric, the demonization of another
for fat kids, and delgadito for skinny children.race, is always the prelude to something worse to
For an American to suggest to a Mexican thatcome.
using these names are harmful, racial, derogatory,Isn't it time Americans grew up and joined the
or whatever would get you a hearty laugh in therest of the International Community?
face. In fact, I laugh in the face of the author of