Just when I thought it was safe to start writing about some other subject, this little lovely comes along:
“MEXICO CITY President Vicente Fox refused to apologize Monday for saying Mexicans in the United States do the work that blacks won’t a comment widely viewed as acceptable in a country where blackface comedy is still considered funny and nicknames often reflect skin color.” [1]
And who, predictably, in the Unites States is jumping on the racial bandwagon but Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. I must add that it did not take much of a leap of faith to see these two coming down the pike.
With Mexican-American relationships deteriorating at an exponential rate, what gets to me is the total lack of perception or unwillingness on the behalf of the American people to perceive their responsibility in this deterioration.
Here is just one example of the unwillingness of the American people to accept their responsibility for the deterioration of this delicate relationship.
In the example I quoted above about “black faced comedy” and “nicknames often reflect skin color.”–If you read the article you will find that author, Traci Carl, does not bother (if she understands this at all) to explain what that statement means in its cultural context. She tried to make a connection where there was NONE! This is the American thing to do. Do you get that?
Yes, it is true that in Mexico “nicknames often reflect skin color”. If a family has a combination of light and dark skin children there are often lifelong nicknames attached to these kids–Also if they are skinny or fat. Negrito is used for dark-skinned children, blanquito for light-skinned children, gordito for fat kids, and delgadito for skinny children.
For an American to suggest to a Mexican that using these names are harmful, racial, derogatory, or whatever would get you a hearty laugh in the face. In fact, I laugh in the face of the author of this article as well as the content therein. I laugh in the face of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton!
This is such a perfect example of Americans over and over, generation after generation, REFUSING to let go of their Imperialism! If they cannot do the “We’re-going-to-take-your-land Imperialism”, by God almighty they are “going-to-take-your-culture Imperialism” and shape it into the image of twisted American values. Here is what I mean by twisted:
Do Americans really think that their understanding of life itself is the most superior on the face of the earth?
Let me tell you something. Having lived in Mexico for more than two years, and having had contact with people from all over the world, this is the EXACT impression that America gives the rest of the world. Let me add, I believe with good reason!
I think that is exactly what Americans think!
From our observations of American tourists and some expatriates here in Mexico, they act as if the Mexican people are ignorant savages that should be thankful the Americans come and throw money into their economy.
“You, dear Mexican, are here to serve me!”
Oh, the stories I could tell you! We see this too many times to count…Americans are trying to shape Mexico into the ethical and moral mold of the United States (American ethics and morals are dubious at bestthat’s another column).
This article I quoted is Cultural Imperialism and if America cannot accomplish it from across the border they will do it here as American Expats.
The roots of this are deep. The roots are embedded in history. The roots need to be excised! (Perhaps more on that in a feature article).
But this rhetoric, the demonization of another race, is always the prelude to something worse to come.
Isn’t it time Americans grew up and joined the rest of the International Community?
[1] Mexico’s Fox Defends Comments on Blacks: TRACI CARL, Associated Press Writer
Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico. His new book Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country can be seen at
